Free Printable Paint by Numbers – How to Make Your Own From Any Photo

You don't need to buy a kit to paint by numbers. With the right tool, you can create a numbered canvas from any photo, print it at home or at a print shop, and paint it by hand — completely free.

Here's the full process, from photo to printable canvas, step by step.

What You Need

• Any photo you want to paint (JPG, PNG, or WEBP)
• A browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox — any modern browser)
• A printer, or access to a print shop
• Acrylic paints in the colors your canvas generates
• Brushes (any beginner set works)

That's it. No software to install, no account to create.

Step 1: Convert Your Photo to a Numbered Canvas

Go to TryPaintByNumbers.com and upload your photo.

The tool converts any image into a paint by numbers canvas entirely in your browser. Your photo never leaves your device — processing happens locally, which means it works even without an internet connection after the page loads.

Settings to choose:

Number of Colors: Start with 16–20 for a beginner-friendly result. Higher numbers give more detail but more paint colors to manage.

Simplification Level: This controls how large or small the sections are.

• Level 4–5: Large, easy-to-paint sections. Best for beginners or for printing at smaller sizes.
• Level 2–3: Medium detail. Good balance for most photos.
• Level 1: Maximum detail, small sections. Best for A3 or larger prints.

Best photo choices for printing:

• Good natural lighting, clear subject
• Simple composition (one subject, uncluttered background)
• At least 1MP resolution (any phone photo from the last 5 years is fine)
• Pets, portraits, flowers, and landscapes convert especially well

Step 2: Adjust Until It Looks Right

Before saving or printing, look at the preview. Ask:

• Is the subject clearly recognizable?
• Are the numbered sections a reasonable size for hand-painting?
• Does the color palette capture the mood of the original photo?

If sections look too tiny, increase the Simplification Level. If the image looks too flat or the colors are merging too much, increase the color count.

You can try different settings as many times as you want — generation is instant and free.

Step 3: Save the Canvas

Once you're happy with the result, save the numbered canvas image. You can:

• Save it as an image file (PNG or JPG) from your browser
• Take a screenshot of the canvas section
• Use your browser's print function to print directly

Step 4: Print Your Canvas

Option A: Print at Home

Paper: For a practice run, regular 80gsm printer paper works fine. For a canvas you actually want to paint and keep, use:

• Watercolor paper (200gsm+) — handles acrylic paint without warping
• Cardstock (200–250gsm) — cheaper than watercolor paper, holds up reasonably well
• Canvas paper — textured surface that feels closest to a real canvas

Size: Print at the largest size your printer allows. A4 (8.3×11.7 in) is the standard maximum for home printers. For larger, you need a print shop.

Settings: Print at maximum quality. Make sure "fit to page" is selected so the canvas fills the paper.

Option B: Print at a Print Shop

For a large, high-quality print on thick paper or actual canvas, a print shop gives you options a home printer can't:

• A3 (11.7×16.5 in) — roughly double home printer size, much easier to paint
• A2 (16.5×23.4 in) — excellent size for detailed canvases
• Canvas printing — some print shops offer direct printing onto stretched canvas

Services like FedEx Office, Staples, local print shops, or online services like Printful print from image files at any size. Bring your saved PNG/JPG file.

Estimated print costs:

• A3 on regular paper: $1–3
• A3 on photo paper: $2–6
• A2 on canvas: $15–30

Step 5: Prepare to Paint

Once printed, gather your paints. The canvas will show a color palette — each numbered section corresponds to one color. Match each number to a paint color:

• If you have an existing acrylic paint set, identify the closest color to each numbered shade
• If buying new paints, use the palette colors as reference — most craft store acrylic sets cover the range well
• Alternatively, mix custom colors if you're comfortable with basic color mixing

Beginner tip: Before starting, mix and test each color on a scrap of paper next to the printed palette to make sure your paints match reasonably well.

What Paint to Use on Printed Paper or Canvas

Acrylic paint is the best choice for printed canvases. It:

• Dries fast (10–15 minutes per coat)
• Is water-soluble when wet, permanent when dry
• Works on paper, cardstock, and canvas
• Is widely available and inexpensive

Avoid: Watercolor (too transparent for numbered coverage), oil paint (dries too slowly and can cause paper to buckle), and marker or pen (doesn't give the same painted look).

Sealing a Printed Canvas

If you want to preserve your finished painting, seal it with acrylic varnish:

1. Let all paint dry for 24 hours
2. Apply one thin coat of matte or gloss varnish with a soft flat brush
3. Let dry 30 minutes
4. Apply a second coat
5. Let cure 24–48 hours before framing

For a full guide on sealing, see How to Seal a Paint by Numbers Canvas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print on actual canvas instead of paper? Yes. Many print shops offer canvas printing. You can also buy pre-primed blank canvas sheets and run them through a wide-format inkjet printer (at a print shop).

What if the numbers are too small to read after printing? Increase the simplification level (fewer, larger sections = larger numbers). Or print at a larger size — A3 instead of A4 makes numbers significantly easier to read.

Can I use this for kids' art projects? Yes. Set the simplification level to 4–5 and colors to 10–12 for the largest, clearest sections. Print on cardstock for durability.

Is the digital canvas the same quality as a bought kit? The numbering system and color segmentation are comparable. The difference is that kit canvases are printed on pre-stretched linen or cotton canvas, which takes paint differently from paper. For wall display, a kit canvas has a more premium finish. For practice, learning, and personal projects, a printed canvas is excellent.

Can I sell paintings made from this? If you use your own photo, yes — the resulting painting is entirely your own. If you use a photo that belongs to someone else (stock photos, photos of copyrighted artworks, etc.), check the usage rights first.