This guide is part of DYC’s Custom Diamond Painting Series.
From little moments to lasting sparkle — that’s DYC.
Estimated reading time: 8–9 minutes
Many crafters run into the same heartbreaks before their custom diamond art even arrives — blurry photos, wrong sizes, sticky disasters. This guide covers the seven biggest mistakes (responsible for most failed customs) and quick fixes that will save your time, money, and sparkle.
Table of Contents
- 1. Why Pre-Order Mistakes Matter
- 2. Using the Wrong Photo Source
- 3. Choosing a Size That Kills Detail
- 4. Picking the Wrong Drill Shape
- 5. Ignoring Canvas & Glue Quality
- 6. Overlooking Printing & Symbol Clarity
- 7. Skipping the Render Preview
- 8. Underestimating Time & Framing
- 9. Other Common Mistakes (Quick List)
- 10. Pre-Order Flight Checklist
- 11. If You Already Ordered
- 12. FAQ
1. Why Pre-Order Mistakes Matter
Once your custom canvas goes into production, any issue — from pixelated photos to bad glue — becomes permanent. These aren’t “user errors”; they’re small pre-order choices that make the biggest difference in your final artwork.
Let’s go through the seven most common mistakes that experienced crafters warn about, plus a few small ones that even veterans still make.
2. Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Photo Source
If your diamond painting looks dull or “muddy,” chances are the photo wasn’t fit for conversion. Screenshots, social media downloads, or overly filtered selfies don’t have enough pixel data for a clear print.
- Use the original photo file (straight from your phone or camera).
- Check lighting — avoid harsh sunlight or deep shadows.
- Crop wisely: subject should fill 50–70% of the frame.
If you’ve already uploaded a low-quality image, contact DYC Customer Care — we’ll review and re-render it before production.
3. Mistake #2: Choosing a Size That Kills Detail
Think of drills as pixels — when your canvas is too small, there just aren’t enough drills to capture every detail. If the faces on your photo end up smaller than 6 cm tall on the finished piece, they’ll always look a bit blurry no matter how perfectly you place each diamond.
| Subject | Minimum | Ideal |
|---|---|---|
| Single portrait | 40×50 cm | 50×70 cm |
| Couple | 50×70 cm | 60×80 cm |
| Family (3+) | 60×80 cm | 70×90 cm |
| Pet (dark fur) | 40×50 cm | 50×70 cm |
If your image includes multiple people or small pets, always size up a little. Already placed an order? Reach out to DYC before printing — we can adjust the layout.
4. Mistake #3: Picking the Wrong Drill Shape
Round vs square drills isn’t just a style choice — it changes the whole look and feel. Square drills interlock tightly for high-definition results; round drills are quicker to place and give off a softer glow.
| Scene Type | Best Drill | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait / Architecture | Square | Sharper edges and alignment |
| Floral / Abstract | Round | Smooth gradient and shimmer |
| Pet fur | Square | More texture and contrast |
If the wrong drill shape was sent, DYC will ship the correct one at no charge.
5. Mistake #4: Ignoring Canvas & Glue Quality
If drills keep falling off or your canvas smells chemical, that’s not normal — it’s a material problem. Cheap oil-type canvases often leak adhesive, while low-grade glue dries or yellows over time.
- Choose 280g flocked canvas for stability and smooth surface.
- Check for wave heat-cut edges — prevents cuts and fray.
- Use eco-certified glue — long-lasting, odor-free.
If your canvas arrives wrinkled or loses stickiness in large areas, contact us — we’ll replace it with a certified one.
6. Mistake #5: Overlooking Printing & Symbol Clarity
Symbol clarity makes or breaks the crafting experience. If you can’t tell an “8” from a “B” or “O” from “0”, it’s not you — it’s the print.
- Look for high-contrast printing and sharp symbol edges.
- Check community photos before ordering.
- DYC uses eco ink with precise symbol mapping to prevent confusion.
If your symbols are blurry or double-printed, send photos to Customer Care for reprint support.
7. Mistake #6: Skipping the Render Preview
Every size looks different once pixelated into drills. A 40×50 may look fine on screen but lose facial detail in print. Always request a size render preview before finalizing production.
If you haven’t received a render confirmation, contact DYC — we’ll send a scaled preview for your approval.
8. Mistake #7: Underestimating Time & Framing
A 60×80 cm custom can have over 50,000 drills — that’s 20+ hours of work. Underestimating time or workspace leads to burnout, dust, or unframed pieces rolled away forever.
| Canvas Size | Drill Count | Approx. Time |
|---|---|---|
| 30×40 cm | ~12,000 | 5–7 hrs |
| 50×70 cm | ~40,000 | 15–20 hrs |
| 60×80 cm | ~55,000+ | 20–25 hrs |
Need help framing or preserving your finished piece? DYC can recommend frame sizes or provide margin extensions.
9. Smaller but Still Common Mistakes
| Stage | Issue | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Before Ordering | Uploaded cropped or rotated photo | Confirm orientation with support |
| Before Ordering | Forgot custom note or text | Email details before print |
| During Drilling | Mixed drills or static issues | Sort by DMC codes, use anti-static wipe |
| After Finishing | Sealed too thick or too soon | Thin coat after full dry |
| After Finishing | No sealing before framing | Apply clear coat first |
“Bought a cheap kit — never again. Half the drills were wrong color.”
“Didn’t realize my photo was too dark until I got the canvas — my dog looks like a shadow.”
“Thought I could finish a 60×80 in two weekends. It took a month and a lot of coffee.”
10. Pre-Order Flight Checklist
- ✅ Photo ≥ 2000 px, balanced lighting
- ✅ Subject fills ≥ 50% of frame
- ✅ Face height ≥ 6 cm at chosen size
- ✅ Drill shape & render preview confirmed
- ✅ Canvas: 280g flocked + SGS eco glue
- ✅ Check printed symbols for clarity
- ✅ Margin ≥ 5 cm for framing
- ✅ Time estimate matches your schedule
- ✅ Contact DYC for pre-render confirmation
11. If You Already Ordered
| Problem | Can You Fix It? | What to Do | Contact DYC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drills not sticking | Partially | Clean area, reapply wax | ✅ Yes if large area |
| Wrong drill color | Minor | Swap from spare pack | ✅ Yes if many bags |
| Blurry or pixelated print | No | Request re-render | ✅ |
| Symbol misprint | No | Provide photos | ✅ |
| Missing drills | Limited | List missing DMCs | ✅ Free resupply |
12. FAQ
Can I use filtered or edited photos?
It’s better to send the original — filters reduce color data and make skin tones harder to match.
What if I realize the size is wrong after ordering?
If it hasn’t entered production, we can change it free of charge. Contact us quickly.
How do I store unfinished pieces?
Lay flat, cover with protective film, and keep out of sunlight to prevent glue oxidation.
My canvas smells strong — is it safe?
Our eco-certified glue has no chemical odor. If yours does, contact us to replace it.
Not sure if your photo or size will work? Upload it and DYC’s design team will review it for free before production.
Upload Photo for Custom Preview
If your issue can’t be fixed by re-placing drills or cleaning glue, contact DYC Customer Service with your order number and clear photos — we’ll help make it right.
From little moments to lasting sparkle — that’s DYC.
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