Color by number or paint by number? The difference explained
"Color by number" and "paint by number" sound almost the same, yet there is a practical difference. In this article, we explain what distinguishes them, so you can make the right choice.
The Similarity
In both, you get a pre-printed canvas with numbered areas. Each number corresponds to a color, and you fill in the areas one by one. You don't need to be able to draw — the pattern guides you step by step to a beautiful end result.
The Difference: Markers or Paint
With classic paint by number, you work with pots of acrylic paint and a brush. Beautiful, but it requires some preparation: squeezing out paint, cleaning brushes, being careful that nothing dries out.
With our color by number sets, you work with numbered markers. That means:
- Clean — no water, no spilled paint.
- Easy to pause — cap on and you stop without dried-out paint.
- Ideal at the table — or on the go, on the couch, wherever you want.
What Kind of End Result Do You Get?
Both yield a colorful painting that you can hang on the wall. With markers, you have more control over small areas and sharp lines. If you choose a set with more colors (36 or 48), you will get smoother transitions and more detail.
What Suits You?
Do you want a relaxing, clean hobby that you can pick up and put down easily? Then our color by number sets with markers are ideal. Each set also contains two designs with the same palette, so you can create two paintings with one set of markers.
Want to know more about how to start and which package to choose? Read our complete guide to color by number for adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is color by number the same as paint by number?
The principle is the same (numbered areas), but color by number uses markers instead of paint. That is cleaner and easier to pause.
What is easier for beginners?
Markers are more practical for most beginners: no paint mixing, no brush cleaning, and immediate sharp lines.