How to Turn a Photo into a Paint-by-Numbers Kit

You do not need software, an account, or a shop kit to start. PhotoPBN is a free paint by numbers generator that runs in your browser. Drop in a photo, keep the defaults (or tweak them), and download a printable PDF with a numbered outline and a colour key.

Your photo is processed on your device. It is not uploaded.

What you need

• A photo on your computer or phone (JPG or PNG; HEIC works when the browser can read it)
• A modern browser with JavaScript on
• A printer, or a print shop, for the PDF
• Acrylic, gouache, or craft paint, plus a fine brush and a larger fill brush

That is it. No signup.

The three steps (matching the tool)

1. Add a photo

Open https://photopbn.com/ and drop a photo onto the tool, or tap Choose a photo.

JPG and PNG are the reliable formats. HEIC works when the browser can read it; if it cannot, save the photo as JPG or PNG and try again.

You will see progress labels while it works: Reading the photo, Mixing the palette, Grouping areas, Placing numbers, Drawing the template. When it is done, the preview shows Your kit next to the Original (you can hide the original with Hide original). Switch between Numbers (the outline you will paint) and Colour (a filled preview).

2. Start with the defaults

The recommended setting is Standard 32 (recommended) – 32 colours. The colour slider runs from 8 simple to 56 detailed, with presets for Simple 10, Standard 32, Detailed 48, and Custom.

Detail starts at Balanced. It sets the smallest area that gets its own number:

• Bold – larger areas, easier to paint (including for kids with a parent)
• Balanced – the default
• Fine – keeps small parts such as eyes, petals, and lettering

Paper is A4 or Letter. Orientation starts on Auto (wide photos use landscape unless you set Portrait or Landscape yourself).

For most photos, leave colours at 32 and detail at Balanced. If the kit looks too busy, drop toward Simple 10 or Bold. If faces or fine edges look muddy, try Detailed 48 or Fine. More on picking a count is in How many colours should a paint-by-numbers kit have?.

3. Download and print

Tap Download PDF. The button shows the paper size and that the PDF is two pages – typically the numbered outline plus the colour key (with hex codes so you can match or mix paint).

You can also download PNG or SVG if you want a screen copy or a vector outline. For painting on paper, use the PDF.

Print at actual size (scale 100%) on A4 or US Letter, in the orientation you chose. Do not “fit to page” if you can avoid it; that shrinks the numbers and makes them harder to read.

What “32 colours (recommended)” means

Thirty-two colours is PhotoPBN’s default balance: close enough to the photo to look like the subject, without splitting every shadow into its own tiny region. The palette appears under the kit as numbered swatches. Every area with the same number uses the same paint. Tap a swatch if you want to spotlight only that colour on the preview.

Commercial paint-by-numbers kits often ship with palette sizes in the mid twenties to high forties. PhotoPBN’s slider lets you go as low as 8 and as high as 56, so you can match a simple evening project or a more detailed one.

Common mistakes

Busy photos. Crowds, messy shelves, or heavy digital filters make the outline noisy. Prefer a clear subject and a calm background. See Best photos for paint by numbers.

Too few colours on a detailed face. At 8–10 colours, skin and hair can flatten. Start at 32; move up toward 48 if eyes or hair need more separation.

Too many colours for a first kit. At 48–56 with Fine detail, you can get lots of small areas. That is fine if you want the challenge; for a first print, stay near Standard 32 and Balanced.

Printing scaled down. If the PDF is “fit to printable area,” numbers shrink. Print at 100%.

Painting dark colours first. Light colours first, then darker ones, keeps edges cleaner. More tips in Paint by numbers for beginners.

After you download

1. Check the colour preview next to the original on screen. If something important disappeared, raise colours or move Detail toward Fine and download again.
2. Print the PDF at 100%.
3. Match each numbered swatch to acrylic, gouache, or craft paint. Use the hex code on the key if you want a closer mix.
4. Paint light areas first, then dark. Use a fine brush on edges and a larger brush on big fills.
5. Let each area dry before painting a neighbour if the paints tend to bleed.

PhotoPBN does not sell paints or canvases. It only builds the template on your device.

Quick checklist

• Photo is sharp enough to see the main subject
• Colours: Standard 32 unless you have a reason to change
• Detail: Balanced, or Bold for an easier kit
• Paper: A4 or Letter; orientation set how you want
• PDF printed at 100%
• Paints matched to the colour key

Ready when you are: open the free paint by numbers generator, drop a photo, and download the PDF.