Short answer
Use opaque acrylic paint markers for canvas kits, matching each numbered area to a marker color: a medium 1.8 to 2.5 mm tip fills most areas and an extra fine 0.7 mm tip handles tiny ones. Kits sold with markers include a Posca paint by number canvas kit and marker by numbers kits for kids; color by number books for adults often come with numbered dual tip markers. Work light to dark and one color at a time.
How paint by number began
Paint by number kits were developed in the late 1940s and 1950s by Max S. Klein, owner of the Palmer Paint Company in Detroit, and commercial artist Dan Robbins. The company’s Craft Master brand, introduced in 1951, sold more than 12 million kits, each a printed canvas with numbered areas, numbered paint pots and brushes (Wikipedia). Swapping the pots and brush for markers keeps the idea and removes the mess.
Why markers suit paint by number
- No mixing or water. The color in the pen is the color on the canvas.
- Fine tips for tiny areas. A 0.7 mm tip fills spaces a brush smears.
- Clean edges. A marker tip follows the printed line more easily than a brush.
- Easy to stop and start. Cap the pens and walk away; nothing dries in a palette.
- Opaque paint covers the numbers. Acrylic paint markers hide printed numbers and lines; translucent felt markers do not.
Marker kits by type
Paint by number with markers: kit types, per the listings
| Kit type | Surface | Comes with | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paint by number canvas kit with paint markers | Canvas | Acrylic paint markers | Adults and teens who want a painted look |
| Marker by numbers kit | Boards or stones | Markers | Kids about 8 and up, per the listings |
| Color by number book with numbered markers | Paper | Numbered dual tip markers | Adults who want a relaxing coloring project |
| Any canvas paint by number kit, your own markers | Canvas | Paint pots you skip | People who already own acrylic markers |
The trick to clean results
- Match the colors first
Lay out the markers and write the kit number on each cap with tape. If you use your own markers, swatch them beside the kit’s color chart.
- Light to dark
Fill light colors first. Dark paint covers a light mistake; the reverse needs extra coats.
- Top to bottom
Work from the top of the canvas down (or left to right if you are left handed) so your hand stays off fresh paint.
- Outline, then fill
Trace each area’s edge with a fine tip, then fill the middle with a medium tip.
- Two coats on light colors
Yellow, white and pastels may need a second coat to hide the printed numbers.
- Varnish to finish
Once fully dry, a clear spray or brushed varnish evens the sheen and protects the paint.
Make your own marker paint by number
You can make a template from a photo or a simple drawing. Trace the main shapes in pencil on a canvas panel or heavy paper, divide each shape into areas of one color, number the areas and make a key. Keep areas big for kids and smaller for adults. Then fill with paint markers as above. Canvas panels and boards take acrylic markers well; see paint markers for canvas for tips and picks.
Paint by number on rocks and stones
Marker by numbers kits also come as garden stones for kids, per the listings. Stones are a fun twist: smaller areas, a sturdy result, and something to put in the garden afterward. Seal outdoor stones with a clear spray. For freehand stone ideas, see rock painting ideas.
Markers for paint by number
For canvas, pump-action acrylic markers such as Posca cover well and come in tips from 0.7 mm up. For paper books, dual tip water-based markers are gentler on thin pages; our acrylic markers for coloring books guide explains when opaque markers help. For fine areas, see fine tip paint markers, and for more projects, acrylic marker art ideas.
Paint by number kits with markers on Amazon
Kits sold for painting or coloring with markers, each listing checked by hand.
-
Posca paint by number canvas kit with 8 PC-5M markers
A canvas paint by number kit that comes with eight Posca PC-5M water-based acrylic markers, per the listing.
- Canvas
- 8 PC-5M markers
-
ADEVIAN 3-in-1 color by numbers adult coloring books with 36 markers
Adult color by number books sold with 36 marker colors, per the listing.
- 3 books
- 36 markers
-
Bright Stripes iHeartArt marker by numbers kit, Fantasy Fields
A marker by numbers kit for kids, listed for ages 8 and up.
- Kids’ kit
- Ages 8+
-
Bright Stripes marker by numbers garden stone craft kit
Marker by numbers on garden stones, listed for kids ages 8 and up.
- Garden stones
- Ages 8+
Each pick links to an Amazon listing we checked by hand. Prices, colors and pack sizes change on Amazon, so check the listing before you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Questions people ask
What are the best markers for paint by number?
For canvas kits, opaque acrylic paint markers such as Posca, because they cover the printed numbers and lines in one or two coats and come in fine tips for small areas. Use a medium tip for larger areas and an extra fine 0.7 mm tip for tiny ones. For paper color by number books, dual tip water-based markers work and bleed less than alcohol markers.
Do color by number books come with markers?
Some do. Many adult color by number books are sold as kits with numbered dual tip markers matched to the pages, and some kids’ marker by numbers kits include markers and boards. Plain color by number books usually do not include markers, so check the listing for what is in the box.
What is the trick to paint by numbers?
Work one color at a time, from light to dark, and from the top of the picture down so your hand does not smudge wet areas. Outline each area with a fine tip first, then fill it. Cover the printed numbers fully, using a second coat for light colors, and let each area dry before painting the one next to it.
Is there a set of paint by numbers with pens specifically for adults?
Yes. Adult color by number kits with numbered markers are sold on Amazon, often as books with 36 marker colors, and Posca sells a paint by number canvas kit with eight PC-5M markers. You can also use any adult paint by number canvas kit with your own acrylic paint markers instead of the paint pots.
Can you use markers on a paint by number canvas?
Yes, acrylic paint markers work well on the primed canvas in paint by number kits. Ordinary felt markers are translucent and will not hide the printed lines and numbers, so use opaque paint markers. Match each kit color to the closest marker, and seal the finished canvas with a varnish if you want to protect it.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-14. Specs and availability change; check the listing before you buy.
