r/diamondpainting • u/Kind_Difference6829 • Jan 19 '26
Tips / Tricks / Tools Honest advice
Im pretty new to this but I've fallen in love with it already. I've done a few round projects and I've just started working on my first square canvas (a cheapie to practice before I get some better quality ones). I dont have any bought tools but I am looking to at least upgrade my pen. Im curious as to whether I should invest in a straightener. I like to single place and I dont think that'll change. I'll include a pic for reference on my work. I feel like they're pretty good, but I realize we can be blind to our own weaknesses. Thanks!
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u/ResidentialSaltbox Jan 19 '26
You’re doing much better than I did on this piece! I did notice that some of the drills are not the same size so it makes it look like it is not as straight as it should be. It honestly didnt bother me but towards the end I wanted to just be done with it because all the red made me go cross eyed (I was also sick so that may have something to do it it). In the past, I’ve used a plastic ruler or a debit card and it’s worked well as a straightener if you want to “test” before spending money!
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u/Top-Friendship4888 Jan 19 '26
Your placement certainly doesn't need a straightener, but they can be nice to have, and are included with a lot of kits.
I have 2 - one that goes into my pen, and came with the pen. It's a resin handled one from Amazon. The other is a thin piece of plastic that came with my storage "suitcase."
In all honesty, something like a credit card or an old hotel room key would work just as well.
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u/Salt_Organization308 Jan 19 '26
Personally I almost never need a straightener for squares I only really use it on rounds
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u/PurpleHairedBoi Jan 19 '26
Omg I’ve done this one! It took me absolutely forever but I loved how I came out in the end, keep it up!
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u/confoosedandlost Jan 19 '26
This is really nice! I am glad that you are enjoying this.
To answer your straighter query, I use a plastic ice cream spatula to do the straightening.
Something like this. Mine is smaller. I did not spend a single paisa (Indian version of dime) on this.
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u/Kind_Difference6829 Jan 19 '26
Love the out of the box thinking!!! I do have a pastry scraper i never use....
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u/Jazzlily Jan 19 '26
It is absolutely great. It's beautiful. I'm currently working on my first square, unfortunately it's a large one 45" x 13". I didn't know it was squares. Mine are all wonky. Grrr
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u/OctaneOwl Jan 19 '26
Looks good! Personally I don’t use a straightener because I also single place, and when I tried one it just felt like the drills slide back into place, but maybe I just wasn’t using a very good one. Maybe there are better quality ones out there as other people have commented, but probably only necessary for multi-placing. My one suggestion is you can put down washi tape around the edges. This helps keep the edges straight, which helps with the rest of the painting. It also helps if there’s a bit of adhesive that goes beyond the edge of the painting area and keeps it clean from hair/dust. I would also look into using the checkerboard method of placing, that really helps keep things straight too.
But overall looks great! Welcome to the family.
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u/bebvie Jan 19 '26
I just got a single place pen with a straightener on the other side on amazon! I haven’t opened it yet but the reviews look good so I’m hopeful!
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u/North-Pie-1738 Jan 19 '26
I use the Silhouette Pick-Me-Up tool. It looks like this and it is AMAZING! Much better than the sticky pink ones it even has a little scraper/pusher thing at the end.
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u/Weekly_Syrup7681 Jan 19 '26
You’re doing great work for a noob. • single placing is great, but when you start doing larger ones, you’ll need multi placer. Start with two, then when you get used to that, gradually increase your placer.
• when doing a color block, sometimes multi placer is better BUT they get crooked, so it’s BEST to just use the checkered method. This aligns your Squares.
• Tape your edges with washi tape or painters tape. Or even a packaging tape (clear, if you need to use the chart) to keep the edges clean from dust and hair from pets.
• Switch to a better pen, that’s comfortable for your hands. A fat curvy one is good for the ergonomic grip. Some prefer vacuum pens. I received a wireless one from ARTDOT and I love it. But I still prefer the good ol’ sticky pen.
• If you prefer wax, stay with it but there’s less messy one, that’s the poster tack. Blue or white, it doesn’t matter. Add a TAD bit, (NOT PINCH) of cornstarch if it’s too sticky for you. REMEMBER, you need to knead the putty to warm it up then fill up your pen with it.
• when working on larger pieces, make sure you invest in pool noodles to help you with rolling them up for storage or while working on it. ROLL with the drills outside.
• Last advice I can think of right now. INVEST in a storage container for the drills. Any container will do, but one I could recommend is a combination of tray and container from Amazon. They’re cheaper than the Foreveryoung brand.
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u/thisisshe512 Jan 19 '26
I recently dove head first into this obsession and got the vacuum pen, and lordy. The obsession has turned into compulsion. I literally can't stop.
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u/Kinkie_Pie Jan 23 '26
Which brand?
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u/thisisshe512 Jan 27 '26
I got it at Michaels with a coupon;) It's their brand and I believe it was $17.99
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u/Apprehensive_Bee3327 Jan 19 '26 edited Jan 19 '26
This is what I use for most of my canvases. I’m a slut for multiplacers, and I think it makes placing square drills much more accurately, in my opinion. For single-placing, I simply use the pens provided in each kit. They’re cheap and I tend to have a heavy hand when placing individual squares, to the point I’ve bent the metal tip, but I have a ton more to replace if I get a little violent with my placing 😂 I just finished the poinsettia canvas the other day. The symbols for the greens were very frustrating and somewhere along the line, I think I placed the wrong green on one of the symbols and ran out, so I had to wait about two weeks for more drills to come in 😑 I’ve noticed in every brand of square kit that I buy, the blacks (310) are always a hair smaller than they should be, so, I’ll use my plastic straightener mainly on those areas. It’s also a great tool to manipulate the drills in the tray to get them to line up for multiplacing. I’ll attach my finished poinsettia below!
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u/Inside-Ad8442 Jan 20 '26
I suggest one of these. It has a built in steel straightener and a single placer. You twist the straightener to push wax out the tip like the DAC twist and pick .. except way more sturdy and easier to twist. My best purchase ever.
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u/Odd-Emphasis2706 Jan 19 '26
There are pen tips that are straightening tools, too! I have loads of plastic ones. If you're looking for pen suggestions on where to buy, I can give you LOTS of recommendations!
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u/nechitaxx Jan 19 '26
Oh this looks so good! I got a pen with square tips. Now, I'm also new to the square ones, I use a metal straightener to make sure my lines are good, as I place them I also use the straightener to make sure everything is in place
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u/AutomaticDeal9615 Jan 19 '26
I think if my mom were still around she would love this one!!! She loved poinsettias at one time in her life!!!!
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u/MamaDiggsCole Jan 19 '26
You’re doing great imo. I don’t use a straightener, I use tweezers lol. They work for so many things.
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u/KatRhys Jan 19 '26
I do both single and multi placing. I use a straightener (one of the tips from a pen set I acquired). It's part of the satisfaction for me, but I doubt it's required for folks without my flavor of neuro diversity 😂
I am working on this same piece! I love it so much, and it's also my introduction to diamond painting. Poinsettias are one of my favorite flowers so when I saw it, I immediately acquired it, figuring if I was going to enjoy an art thing, it'd be with poinsettias 😂
I hope you keep going and post when you're done (or even just progress pics)! It's extra lovely to see someone post about a canvas I'm familiar with 💜
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u/butterfly68za Jan 19 '26
I am more meticulous in placing drills, single placer, being said, I haven't needed a straightener. In the event one drill does get placed wrongly, I just lift it and replace it, cause trying to move it once placed, is a mission and is not always a successful move, depending on the type of "glue" they have used on the canvas.
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u/Korrin Jan 19 '26
I just use a credit card or a ruler as a straightener. imo, the longer the tool, the better.
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u/Kind_Difference6829 Jan 19 '26
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u/Kind_Difference6829 Jan 19 '26
Sorry the pic didnt come through... poinsettia diamond art by make market
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u/Prize-Measurement-23 Jan 19 '26
Looks good. I would buy a straightener. One came with one of my kits and I put it on the end of my pen just to kind of straighten as I go along.
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u/Cranky-Novelist Jan 19 '26
I don't think you need a straightener. You're doing well without one. If you still want to upgrade your pen, I do recommend a resin one. They last a lot longer
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u/creolamama Jan 19 '26
Didn’t know there was such a thing as a straightener. Your work looks great. I didn’t know what the “advice” was lol. Love the poinsettias and $5 omg what a deal!
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u/outrageouslyHonest Jan 19 '26
I have 3 straighteners but have never bought one. One came with an organizer and the others came with metal guides I bought.
And then there's the metal attachment that came with the pen. I use that one the most honestly.
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u/fur-mom15 Jan 19 '26
I have a couple of straighteners that came with other tool sets... that I have never used. It's really not necessary. You're doing great without it!
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u/Diligent_Comment689 Jan 20 '26
I really only use a straightener on rounds. I find it a lot harder on squares just cause there’s no gaps. That said, you’ve done a great job here-and no one will be looking this close anyway!
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u/summersetting Jan 20 '26
10/10 recommend a vacuum pen. It has been a game changer for me. You are doing great! Im so glad you are having fun 💗
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u/librarykerri Jan 20 '26
I will just chime in and say that Make Market (Michaels) squares are not the best when it comes to consistency in size of the drills or the tightness of the drill field, so it is very hard to get them perfectly straight. The finished product still looks pretty darned good, though! I am working on my 2nd square kit from Michaels right now (also a Christmas one, but I got it when it first came out, so no $5 deal for me!), and it is turning out well, even if not perfect. I will sometimes use the small straightener on the end of one of my pens to straight small areas, but I don't bother doing the entire thing.
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u/Kind_Difference6829 Jan 19 '26
I just wanna say thanks everyone for so such kind words!!! I love the positivity in this community!😊
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u/EthylMertz Jan 22 '26
On my first piece, I used my debit card as a straighter. I eventually got a kit that came with a straightening tool.
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u/gidget2802 Jan 19 '26
That's really great work. You could get a straightener, but I'd be using it mostly around the edges of the piece. You're doing everything right.
Beautiful piece, by the way.