For your first diamond painting, choose a kit rated “Beginner”, on a canvas with a long side of about 40 cm, with a design made of clearly defined colour areas. Round drills are easier to place; square drills give a sharper result. Every Oraloa kit includes the adhesive canvas, all the drills and the tools: you don’t need to buy anything else.
This guide uses the same criteria we use ourselves to classify our kits: level, size, drill shape and design. The figures quoted come from the product pages of our catalogue in October 2026 and are given as a guide.
The three Oraloa levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Every Oraloa diamond painting kit shows a level on its product page. This level takes into account the canvas size, the number of colours and how fine the details are. Here is what we see across the catalogue:
| Level | Most common long side | Number of colours (median) | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | around 40 cm (from 15 cm to about 77 cm) | about 47 | First kit, short project, child working with an adult |
| Intermediate | around 67 cm (from 35 to 90 cm) | about 58 | After one or two finished kits |
| Expert | around 77 cm (from 55 cm to almost one metre) | about 73 | Large, highly detailed canvases: portraits, landscapes, fantasy scenes |
The key point: the larger the canvas and the more colours in the design, the more time and focus the project needs. A Beginner level lets you learn the technique without losing heart.
What comes in an Oraloa diamond painting kit?
All our diamond painting kits are complete. Inside you will find:
- an adhesive canvas printed with an easy-to-read chart, in cotton coated with a layer of poured glue that holds the drills in place;
- all the drills needed for the design, in bags sorted by colour and in sufficient quantity;
- an applicator with a grip, wax and a drill tray;
- steel tweezers and washi tape;
- an instruction manual.
The content of the tool kit may vary slightly from one kit to another: the details are always listed on the product page. Each canvas also includes special drills, such as Aurora Borealis (AB) drills with iridescent reflections or Tiki Sparkle (ND). To understand their effects, read our article Special, AB, Metallic, ND Drills: What’s the Difference?
Round or square drills for beginners?
Both shapes bring the same design to life, but they are placed differently:
- Round drills are the favourite of beginners: they are quicker to place and forgive small inaccuracies. Small gaps remain between them; our canvases have a matching coloured background to reduce this effect.
- Square drills must be lined up carefully so they fit together. They take a little more precision, but they cover the whole canvas and give a more uniform result, close to a pixel image.
About half of our kits are available in both versions. Good to know: for the same design, the round-drill version is printed on a slightly larger canvas. We explain this in our guide What canvas size should you choose for diamond painting?
Choose a design that makes you want to finish
For a first project, go for an image with clear shapes and large areas of colour. Very realistic or very detailed designs usually come on larger canvases, at Intermediate or Expert level.
The most important criterion is still falling in love with the image: animals, kawaii worlds, landscapes, fantasy or artists’ works, working on a picture you truly like is the best motivation. An example of a Beginner kit: Nuit enchantée by Ihloé Art, whose square version is made entirely of Tiki Sparkle (ND).
Would you rather try a very small format first? Miniloha sets bring together several mini canvases to complete one at a time, most of them at Beginner level.
What if the kit is for a child?
Our kits are suitable from age 6 for simple designs. For more complex creations, we recommend them from age 10 and for adults, as the activity requires precision and concentration. For a child, a Beginner kit or a mini format, done with an adult, is the best place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy anything besides the kit?
No. The kit contains the adhesive canvas, all the drills sorted by colour and the basic tools (applicator, wax, tray, tweezers). You can start as soon as it arrives.
Which level should I choose if I have already done a diamond painting?
If you enjoyed your first kit and it didn’t feel too long, move up to the Intermediate level: larger canvases and more colours, for a more detailed result.
What should I do if some drills are missing?
Packing is done by hand and a small mistake can happen. Aloha Assurance covers the replacement of missing or damaged colours: write to us with the DMC codes concerned and your order number.
Is a Miniloha kit a good first kit?
Yes. The canvases are small, quick to finish and most sets are rated Beginner. It is a gentle way to discover the technique.
Can I frame my finished artwork?
Yes, you can frame it like a painting or mount it on a rigid backing to show it off.
Can I return a kit that doesn’t suit me?
Yes, within 14 days of receipt, provided the kit has not been opened or used: canvas film intact and bags sealed.
