How To Begin?
Starting our paint by number kit business was more than just creativity to begin with - in the beginning, it was about meticulous planning and resourcefulness to find the best products that could be put together to create something unique that would create true fans of our products. Something that would become synonymous with our brand and would find a place in our customers’ homes once they finished their masterpiece. Every piece matters to create the experience we want to deliver.
Canvas and Brushes and Paints, Oh My!
We spent countless hours figuring out the best suppliers the canvas to the paint brushes. The foundation of our kit would be the right canvas. After looking at several options, we were able to feel the differences between 100% cotton canvas and cotton blend - for sure it was important to have 100% cotton. Turns out that the GSM, or grams per square meter, also really matter. A lot of the lower-cost options we received from manufacturers were 300GSM or less. The lower the GSM, the lower the weight and the less durable the canvas would be. I imagined my 3 boys as canvas testers and knew it would be good to invest in the better canvas. We invested in 360GSM, which is a medium weight that artists typically choose for mid-sized pieces that they deem “gallery-worthy,” and would provide durability and flexibility. This weight would support whatever our creative customers would come up with on layers or other techniques!
I had found as a customer that cheap brushes NEVER get used. If I ordered a kit that didn’t have a great brush, I would often go find another brush from another former kit, and I have had favorites. Knowing what plastics do to the environment and our oceans, I absolutely wanted wooden over cheap plastic handles, so we started there. I also wanted to offer a good selection of sizes and bristles that mimic natural hair. The brushes we use ensure smooth strokes and a good, even color application. You will find a favorite - mine is the #3!
We wanted paint that was first and foremost non-toxic acrylic. Acrylic is water-based and dries very quickly. It is easy to wash off your hands and is mistake-friendly. We found a high-quality acrylic paint that allowed me to experiment with layering and paint over if necessary. We also wanted plenty of color choices that we could use to grow our portfolio of products.
How To Mark the Paint Pots?
The longest part of the project was figuring out how we were going to put the numbers on the paint pots. Should we use stamps? Seems easy…We got custom stamps and ink and found this to be messy and inconsistent. Stickers! After a few misses, we found the perfect stickers and now print the numbers and put the stickers on the pots. If you have a Taste of Balance Paint by Number kit as of the publishing of this blog, you have paint pots that have been lovingly cared for and built by us! We tried to make them even and hope you agree this is the best and easiest way to see the numbers!
The Tube Chronicles
Ah, the humble cardboard tube! So many things I order personally come in packaging that goes right into the recycling trash as soon as I receive it. We wanted to provide our customers with something more usable while also using this as an opportunity to create a brand that customers would want to be a part of. We found a great partner in PackMojo. They helped us create the perfect cardboard tube that would allow us to use our custom design. Now our tube is usable! This is not a jigsaw puzzle - once leaving the canvas out to dry for just a bit, it can be rolled up and re-stored in the tube until the next time you are ready to break it out for a little self-care time. No need to block the whole table for days or weeks! Once the masterpiece is done, our customers have found the tubes to be awesome as a decorative office supply organizer, so we still haven’t made it to the recycle bin!
A Delight to Open
The unboxing experience also matters. We want customers to be excited to pull the tube out and open it up to see what is inside. Every piece has been considered and put together to give you the best possible experience. You will find a fun sticker of your selected artwork inside that makes a great laptop sticker along with a sticker that reflects a mission I hope we can all agree with: Life happens now.
Want a Tour?
I hope you'll have a couple of minutes to take a tour of our Taste of Balance workshop! Check out our official tour here!