Tips & Inspiration

You finish a color by numbers canvas best by first touching up the last sections neatly, then protecting the canvas from harsh sunlight, and finally stretching or framing it before you hang it up. Those closing steps are what turn "a fun project" into a piece you'll be proud of for years. This guide walks you through every stage step by step — including how to hang a two-canvas Color by Numbers set as a diptych. Calm, clean and fuss-free, just like the coloring itself.

Quick facts

• Finishing: fill in the last sections evenly, erase any faint pencil lines and let the ink dry for a moment.
• Protecting: keep your canvas out of direct sunlight; for extra peace of mind, use a matte fixative or UV-protection spray.
• Stretching or framing: stretching over a wooden frame gives a sleek, modern look; a floating frame gives a premium, finished feel.
• Hanging: hang at eye level, with the center around 145–150 cm; slightly lower above a sofa.
• Diptych: hang the two canvases of a set with an even gap of 5–8 cm and the top edges lined up exactly.

How do you finish the last sections neatly?

Your canvas is almost full, and those final little sections decide how polished the whole thing looks. Take your time. Work from top to bottom and start from the side away from your writing hand, so you never smudge fresh ink.

1. Check for white gaps. Tilt the canvas under a lamp; tiny uncolored edges between sections show up right away.
2. Color evenly in one direction. Fill open spots with the same numbered marker and always stroke the same way — that gives a smoother, more even color without streaks.
3. Tidy up the edges. Color neatly right up to the black outlines and let the little numbers disappear under your color.
4. Erase faint lines. Still see a thin pencil box? Wait until the ink is dry and erase very gently.
5. Let it dry briefly. Marker ink dries fast, but give fuller sections a few minutes before you move the canvas.

New to the hobby and want to go through the whole process calmly from start to finish? Our beginner's start guide walks you through every step.

Do you need to fix or seal a color by numbers canvas?

Sealing isn't required, but it won't hurt. Because you work with markers — so it's clean, with no paint or water — your canvas has no drying time and won't warp. That said, the same rule applies to almost any colored print: harsh, direct sunlight can fade colors over the long term. A few simple choices keep your work looking great for years.

• Pick a smart spot. The simplest protection is free: don't hang your canvas directly opposite a bright, south-facing window.
• Use a fixative spray. A thin layer of matte fixative or UV-protection spray from a craft store lays a protective coat over the ink. Always spray from a distance, in thin layers, in a well-ventilated space, and test a corner first.
• Frame behind glass. Framing the canvas behind (UV-blocking) glass adds protection against dust, fingers and light.

Curious why markers feel so nice to work with — and where paint actually has the edge? You'll find it in color by numbers with markers vs. paint.

Stretching or framing: which do you choose?

For hanging, you have roughly two routes. Both look beautiful — it comes down to your interior and how much effort you want to put in.

Always measure your canvas first (the standard sizes run from 30×40 to 60×80 cm) and buy your frame or bars to match. That way you avoid crooked edges.

How to hang your canvas straight

The hanging itself is quick. This order prevents crooked drill holes and holes in the wrong spot:

1. Set the height: the center of your piece at about 145–150 cm, or a touch lower if it goes above a sofa or sideboard.
2. Mark the hook or screw with a pencil and check with a spirit level (or the level app on your phone).
3. Choose a hook that suits the weight: a canvas on stretcher bars is light, a framed piece with glass is heavier.
4. Hang it, step back and adjust until it's truly level.

Hanging two canvases as a diptych

The best thing about a Color by Numbers set of two canvases is that both designs share the same color palette. Together they form one calm whole — a diptych — that looks stunning above a sofa, a bed or in a hallway. Picture the two skies of Mediterranean Summer or the peaks of Mountain Landscapes side by side.

Here's how to hang a diptych cleanly and in balance:

• Set a fixed gap. Keep an even distance of 5 to 8 cm between the two canvases. Tighter reads as one image; wider gives it air.
• Align the tops. With canvases of the same size, place the top edges on exactly one horizontal line — that's the single most important rule for a calm result.
• Measure the pair as one block. Add up the total width (canvas + gap + canvas) and center that block above your furniture.
• Use a guide line. Stick a strip of painter's tape on the wall along your desired top line, mark the hooks, then peel the tape off.
• Mind the reading order. Does the set share a continuous landscape or horizon? Lay the canvases on the floor in the right order before you drill.

Still deciding which theme suits your interior? Our full collection holds 44 themes, from Japanese Serenity to Wildflower Garden. And if you want something truly personal on the wall, Custom Photo – Color by Numbers turns your own photo into a canvas. Shipping, by the way, is always free, worldwide and with no minimum order.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to seal my color by numbers canvas with a spray?

It isn't required. Marker ink dries on its own and your canvas won't warp. A thin layer of matte fixative or UV-protection spray from a craft store does add a protective coat against light and fingers. Always spray in thin layers, from a distance, in a ventilated space, and test a corner first.

How do I stop the colors on my canvas from fading?

The most important step is free: don't hang your work in direct, harsh sunlight, such as directly opposite a bright south-facing window. For extra protection, use a UV-protection spray or frame the canvas behind UV-blocking glass.

Can I hang a color by numbers canvas without a frame?

Yes. A thin, flexible canvas can hang from a poster hanger or two wooden rails at the top and bottom. It's fast, light and needs no drilling. If you want a sleeker or more premium look, choose stretching over a frame or a floating frame instead.

How do I hang two canvases next to each other as a diptych?

Keep an even gap of 5 to 8 cm and make sure the top edges sit on exactly one horizontal line. Measure the total width (canvas plus gap plus canvas) and center that block above your furniture. A strip of painter's tape along your desired top line helps you mark both hooks straight.

Which canvas size works best above a sofa?

Above a sofa, larger sizes like 50×70 or 60×80 cm look great, or a set of two smaller canvases together. A handy rule of thumb: let your artwork span about two-thirds of the sofa's width. If you choose a set, add both canvases plus the gap between them.