How to Make Paint By Numbers Kits (Laser Custom DIY)

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How to Make Paint By Numbers Kits (xTool Custom DIY) Creating your own paint-by-numbers kits is a great way to mix laser cutting, painting, and creativity into one fun project. I made a set of four 6x6 inch laser-cut coloring book images on 1/8" basswood using my xTool S1 20W laser. These charming pieces make a unique gift or a relaxing weekend activity—perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the process of painting without the stress of drawing.

How to Make Paint By Numbers Kits (Laser Custom DIY)

Creating your own paint-by-numbers kits is a great way to mix laser cutting, painting, and creativity into one fun project.

I made a set of four 6x6 inch laser-cut coloring book images on 1/8" basswood using my xTool S1 20W laser.

These charming pieces make a unique gift or a relaxing weekend activity—perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the process of painting without the stress of drawing.

Let's get started!

MAKE PAINT-BY-NUMBERS (OPTIONAL)

Each design has detailed images engraved directly onto the wood, ready for you to paint in your corresponding colors.

While these aren’t number kits by default, you can easily label each section with small font numbers if you want a true numbers project experience.

Whether you’re an experienced artist or just dipping your brush into acrylic paints for the first time, this is the perfect way to create your own custom masterpiece.

MAKE PAINT-BY-NUMBERS (OPTIONAL) Each design has detailed images engraved directly onto the wood, ready for you to paint in your corresponding colors. While these aren’t number kits by default, you can easily label each section with small font numbers if you want a true numbers project experience. Whether you’re an experienced artist or just dipping your brush into acrylic paints for the first time, this is the perfect way to create your own custom masterpiece.

Supplies Needed for Laser Engraved Painting Kit:

affiliate links

xTool S1 20W laser
1/8" basswood sheets
Arteza Acrylic Paint Pens or premium paint set
Optional: Wooden frame OR tabletop easel for displaying your finished work of art
Coloring Book Image (does not need to be vector file images)

Step 1: Design Your Coloring Page

Choose your artwork—this could be own photos, landscape photos, famous paintings, or even a beautiful portrait of your furry friend.

For best results, start with a high-quality photo or high-resolution image that has clear contrast and simple shapes.

You can use creative software like Photoshop, Procreate, AI or even xTool Creative Space to simplify and trace your image into clean, lasered line art.

My canvas size boards are just under 6 inch squares, the small areas can increase the difficulty level of the paintings.

If you are making these for younger children, use a bigger and simpler design with a smaller number of colors needed, rather that a high level of detail.

Step 1: Design Your Coloring Page Choose your artwork—this could be own photos, landscape photos, famous paintings, or even a beautiful portrait of your furry friend. For best results, start with a high-quality photo or high-resolution image that has clear contrast and simple shapes. You can use creative software like Photoshop, Procreate, AI or even xTool Creative Space to simplify and trace your image into clean, lasered line art. My canvas size boards are just under 6 inch squares, the small areas can increase the difficulty level of the paintings. If you are making these for younger children, use a bigger and simpler design with a smaller number of colors needed, rather that a high level of detail.

If you want to make a numbers canvas, use the numbers template feature in your graphics software to assign each section a number that matches your paint colors.

You can print or engrave these small font numbers right onto your wood design before cutting.

Step 2: Laser Cut with the xTool S1

Upload your vector file into the xTool Creative Space software.

Use engrave mode for the design lines and cut mode for the 6x6 outline.

The xTool S1 20W laser does an amazing job of burning fine details into wood—each line comes out clean and crisp, giving you that detailed numbered canvas look without the paper tearing or ink bleeding that happens on regular paint-by-numbers kits.

Step 2: Laser Cut with the xTool S1 Upload your vector file into the xTool Creative Space software. Use engrave mode for the design lines and cut mode for the 6x6 outline. The xTool S1 20W laser does an amazing job of burning fine details into wood—each line comes out clean and crisp, giving you that detailed numbered canvas look without the paper tearing or ink bleeding that happens on regular paint-by-numbers kits.

Because basswood has a smooth surface and light color, it’s ideal for this kind of project—it makes the numbered areas easy to see and creates a natural woodgrain background that adds warmth to your finished work of art.

Step 3: Paint and Personalize

Once your boards are cut and engraved, it’s time to assemble the perfect creative craft kit gift or to get right into painting!

You can use Arteza acrylic paint pens for clean lines and control, or watercolor paints for a softer abstract art look leaving the wood grain visible.

You could also get these little plastic pot strips and fill them with Plaid Acrylic Craft Paint.

Each approach offers a different color palette and finish depending on your painting experience and skill level.

Step 3: Paint and Personalize Once your boards are cut and engraved, it’s time to assemble the perfect creative craft kit gift or to get right into painting! You can use Arteza acrylic paint pens for clean lines and control, or watercolor paints for a softer abstract art look leaving the wood grain visible. You could also get these little plastic pot strips and fill them with Plaid Acrylic Craft Paint. Each approach offers a different color palette and finish depending on your painting experience and skill level.

If you’re creating custom kits as gifts, consider bundling your laser-cut boards with paint pots of pre-mixed paints, a numbers template, and even a small brush set.

It’s a thoughtful gift that encourages quality time and reduces screen time—and it’s especially great for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, or holidays.

For the best results, paint from light to dark shades and let each color dry before adding the next.

Use good lighting so you can easily see small sections and details.

You’ll be amazed how quickly your piece transforms into a finished work of art that feels like a mix between diamond painting kits and classic painting, you could even add some diamond dots to the canvas as well.

For the best results, paint from light to dark shades and let each color dry before adding the next. Use good lighting so you can easily see small sections and details. You’ll be amazed how quickly your piece transforms into a finished work of art that feels like a mix between diamond painting kits and classic painting, you could even add some diamond dots to the canvas as well.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

Once the final result is dry, you can leave your artwork as-is or place it inside a wooden frame or on a desktop easel.

If you’re gifting it, wrap it up with a note encouraging the recipient to use their own paint skill and creativity to make it personal.

Adding different colors or even metallic accents makes the piece pop—and if you like, you can match the paint colors to your favorite photo, cherished pet portrait, or interior decor.

This simple way of combining laser engraving with acrylic paints produces beautiful paintings that rival custom landscape kits or exclusive collections from companies like Elle Crée, but in a smaller size and at a fraction of the cost.

$Adding different colors or even metallic accents makes the piece pop—and if you like, you can match the paint colors to your favorite photo, cherished pet portrait, or interior decor. This simple way of combining laser engraving with acrylic paints produces beautiful paintings that rival custom landscape kits or exclusive collections from companies like Elle Crée, but in a smaller size and at a fraction of the cost.$

Customization & Gift Ideas

The great thing about creating your own custom paintings is how flexible the process can be, here's som other fun options to try:

Turning family portraits into paint kits
Engraving pet photos for a beautiful portrait of your furry friend
Using famous paintings or Leonardo da Vinci sketches for historical flair
Making custom landscape kits for mental health relaxation sessions
Personalizing a numbers project with a quote or name engraved into the corner
These customizable laser-engraved gift ideas make excellent gifts for special occasions, holidays, or corporate gifts for small businesses.

Customization & Gift Ideas The great thing about creating your own custom paintings is how flexible the process can be, here's som other fun options to try: Turning family portraits into paint kits Engraving pet photos for a beautiful portrait of your furry friend Using famous paintings or Leonardo da Vinci sketches for historical flair Making custom landscape kits for mental health relaxation sessions Personalizing a numbers project with a quote or name engraved into the corner These customizable laser-engraved gift ideas make excellent gifts for special occasions, holidays, or corporate gifts for small businesses.

A Finished Work of Art

When your painting is complete, you’ll feel a true sense of accomplishment—the satisfaction of finishing something by hand, seeing your colors blend into beautiful paintings, and having a finished work of art ready to display or gift.

Even though these wooden paint-by-numbers kits take much less time than larger canvases, they deliver all the joy of creative focus, color theory, and craftsmanship.

And best of all, you can reuse your numbers template and vector file again and again to create your own line of custom kits or sell them at local markets and craft fairs.

A Finished Work of Art When your painting is complete, you’ll feel a true sense of accomplishment—the satisfaction of finishing something by hand, seeing your colors blend into beautiful paintings, and having a finished work of art ready to display or gift. Even though these wooden paint-by-numbers kits take much less time than larger canvases, they deliver all the joy of creative focus, color theory, and craftsmanship. And best of all, you can reuse your numbers template and vector file again and again to create your own line of custom kits or sell them at local markets and craft fairs.

That's it!

Creating these laser-cut “coloring book” wood panels with the xTool S1 20W laser is an easy way to turn simple materials into works of art.

Whether you’re making a unique gift, adding to your custom paintings portfolio, or just looking for a fun project to fill your free time, this project is the perfect kit for all ages and difficulty levels.

Each one offers a personal touch that no mass-produced paint kits can match.

So grab your own diy paint, your favorite acrylic paints, and get creative.

With just a few easy tips, you’ll create something truly special—and maybe even start your own collection of beautiful wooden art pieces that celebrate craftsmanship, creativity, and color.

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Creating these laser-cut “coloring book” wood panels with the xTool S1 20W laser is an easy way to turn simple materials into works of art. Whether you’re making a unique gift, adding to your custom paintings portfolio, or just looking for a fun project to fill your free time, this project is the perfect kit for all ages and difficulty levels. Each one offers a personal touch that no mass-produced paint kits can match. So grab your own diy paint, your favorite acrylic paints, and get creative. With just a few easy tips, you’ll create something truly special—and maybe even start your own collection of beautiful wooden art pieces that celebrate craftsmanship, creativity, and color.

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