Questions, answered

PicaToi turns your personal photo into a custom paint-by-number kit. You upload a picture, choose an art style, preview your custom artwork, and receive a physical numbered canvas with matching paints, brushes, and painting instructions so you can paint it at home.

PicaToi is a physical paint-by-number kit. Your order includes a printed numbered canvas, matching numbered paint pots, brushes, and a custom guide created for your artwork. You will also see a digital preview before purchase so you know the style and composition before your kit is produced.

Yes. PicaToi creates the custom paint-by-number canvas and matching paint set, but you complete the painting yourself by following the numbered sections.

No. The kit is designed to be beginner-friendly. The canvas is divided into numbered sections, and each number corresponds to a paint color. You also receive a custom guide with tips for painting your specific artwork.

Your photo is used to create your custom PicaToi kit. This includes generating your art-style preview, converting the artwork into paint-by-number sections, creating the numbered canvas, preparing the color guide, and producing your personalized painting instructions.

Your photo is not used for marketing, ads, social media, or public gallery examples unless you give separate permission.

Yes. PicaToi uses AI-assisted tools to help transform your photo into a selected art style. After that, a separate image-processing system converts the artwork into a paint-by-number layout with clean numbered sections and a matching color guide.

AI is used to help create your custom kit. It is not used to publicly share your image or market your photo without your permission.

Your photo is used to create your order. PicaToi does not use customer photos for marketing, public examples, or promotional purposes without separate permission. Any use of uploaded photos is governed by PicaToi's photo processing and retention policy.

No, not unless you give separate permission. Your photo and generated artwork are private by default. PicaToi will not post your photo, preview, finished artwork, or canvas publicly without your approval.

Yes, but please upload photos you have the right to use. If your photo includes other people, make sure they are comfortable with it being turned into a custom artwork.

Yes, as long as you have the right to use the photo. Family portraits can work well, but for multiple faces we recommend choosing a larger canvas size so each person has enough room for clean detail.

PicaToi uses an automated photo and data retention system to manage uploaded files and generated artwork. The photo is kept only as needed to process the order, produce the kit, support quality checks, and handle customer service issues. The exact retention period should be described in the store's privacy policy.

Yes. Uploaded content may be screened before processing to help prevent unsupported, unsafe, or inappropriate image requests.

The best photos are clear, bright, and sharp, with the main subject easy to see. Portraits, pets, couples, family photos, and meaningful travel memories usually work best.

For best results, choose a photo where:

The face or subject is in focus

The lighting is bright and even

The subject is close enough to see clearly

The background is not too busy

There is good contrast between the subject and the background

Avoid photos that are very dark, blurry, heavily filtered, low-resolution, or taken from far away. Also avoid images with crowded backgrounds, tiny faces, heavy shadows, or important details cut off.

Screenshots may work, but they are often lower quality than original photos. For the best result, upload the original image file whenever possible.

Yes, but group photos need more canvas space. If your image includes multiple people, we recommend choosing a Large or Extra Large canvas so faces and details do not become too small.

Yes. Pet photos work very well, especially when the pet is clearly visible, well-lit, and facing the camera.

Some small details may be simplified. Paint-by-number artwork needs clean, paintable sections, so tiny jewelry, hair strands, fabric texture, background objects, and very fine facial details may be reduced or simplified.

No. Your photo is transformed into an artistic paint-by-number design. The final artwork will preserve the main subject, pose, expression, and overall feeling of the photo, but it will not be an exact photographic copy.

PicaToi launches with four custom styles:

Modern Cubist Portrait

Pop Art Silkscreen

Urban Mural

Blueprint Portrait

Each style transforms your image differently. Some are bold and graphic, while others are more abstract or structured.

Yes. You see a real preview created from your own uploaded photo before purchasing. This is not a generic sample.

The widget should allow you to review your generated preview before purchase. If you do not like the result, choose a different style or upload a better photo before placing your order.

Some styles intentionally transform facial shapes, colors, and proportions. For example, Cubism may rearrange facial features into geometric planes, while Pop Art may use bold non-realistic colors. This is part of the selected artistic style.

After your art preview is created, PicaToi converts it into a numbered canvas. The image is simplified into clean color sections, and each section is assigned a paint number that matches the paint pots in your kit.

The canvas and paint colors are designed to match the approved preview as closely as possible. However, slight differences can occur because screens display light while physical paint and printed canvas use pigment. Screen brightness, monitor settings, canvas texture, and paint application can all affect how colors appear.

Paint-by-number designs need clear sections that can be painted by hand. Very small details, soft shadows, gradients, textures, and complex backgrounds may be simplified so the final canvas is enjoyable and realistic to complete.

PicaToi offers difficulty tiers that control the complexity of the painting.

Relaxed kits have fewer colors and larger sections. Classic kits offer a balanced level of detail. Detailed kits include more color complexity and smaller sections for customers who want a more detailed painting experience.

Relaxed kits are designed for beginners. Some dark background regions may be pre-printed so the customer paints less and can focus on the most important parts of the artwork.

PicaToi uses a verification process before shipment. The production file is automatically checked against the exact preview you approved. If the system detects a mismatch, the order is held for human review instead of being shipped.

Small differences may still occur between screen preview, printed canvas, and real paint colors. However, the subject, style, composition, and numbered design should match the approved artwork.

Normal differences can include:

Slight color variation between screen and printed materials

Minor changes caused by canvas texture

Paint colors appearing slightly different when dry

Simplified small details due to paint-by-number sectioning

Contact PicaToi support with your order number and clear photos of the canvas, color guide, and paint pots. The team will review the issue against the approved preview and production files.

Once a preview is approved and the order enters production, changes may not be possible. Review your preview carefully before purchasing or approving production.

If your upload times out, refresh the page and try again. You can also try using a smaller file size, a stronger internet connection, or a different browser.

If the issue continues, contact support and include the device, browser, and photo file type you were using.

Preview generation may fail if the image is too large, too small, unsupported, corrupted, blurry, dark, or blocked by content moderation. Try uploading a clearer image with good lighting and a simple background.

You can upload JPG, PNG, and WebP images. If your phone saves photos as HEIC, most devices convert them automatically when you pick the file -- if yours does not, save or export the photo as JPG first and upload that.

A photo may be rejected if it cannot be processed, violates content guidelines, is too low quality, or includes unsupported content. Try uploading a different image that is clear, appropriate, and easy to see.

If you have not placed your order yet, remove the image and upload a new one. If you already placed your order, contact support as quickly as possible. Once production starts, changes may not be possible.

Choose the size based on where you plan to display the painting. Canvas size does not change how much detail the artwork itself carries -- the same photo is divided into the same numbered sections at every size. What a larger canvas gives you is more physical room to paint each section, which matters most when several people or pets share the image, since each face has less of the canvas to itself.

A Standard or Popular size usually works well for one person or one pet, especially if the photo is clear and close-up.

For couples, families, or group photos, choose Large or Extra Large. More faces need more canvas space to keep the painting clear and enjoyable.

For above a sofa, choose a larger canvas. An Extra Large canvas is best if you want the piece to feel like real wall art and create a strong focal point.

An Extra Large canvas is usually best above a queen bed because it creates enough visual presence without looking too small.

A Standard or Popular size is a strong gift option. It feels substantial, but it is still easy to paint, frame, and display.

A standard PicaToi kit includes:

Printed numbered canvas

Numbered paint pots

Brushes

Color guide

Painting instructions

Custom insert created for your artwork

Depending on the selected kit format, hanging hardware or frame components may also be included.

PicaToi plans to offer multiple kit formats, such as Rolled [Unframed] canvas, DIY frame kit, and pre-stretched canvas. Final options may depend on supplier confirmation and product availability.

A Rolled [Unframed] canvas is shipped without a frame and can be painted flat or framed later. A pre-stretched canvas arrives already mounted on a wooden frame, making it easier to paint and display.

A pre-stretched canvas is the best premium option when available because it feels more polished and is ready to paint and hang.

Completion time depends on canvas size, difficulty level, and the amount of detail in the image. Relaxed kits are faster, while larger or more detailed kits take longer.

Start with large background areas, then move into the main subject, then finish with small details, highlights, outlines, and facial features. Your PicaToi insert includes painting guidance specific to your artwork.

Painting one color at a time can be efficient, especially for larger sections. However, for detailed areas, it may be easier to work section by section and let neighboring colors dry before painting next to them.

Let the paint dry completely, then correct the edge with the neighboring color. Use a fine brush and two thin coats instead of one thick coat.

Add one small drop of water and mix slowly. Do not add too much water, or the paint may lose coverage.

Yes. Taking a quick photo of the numbered canvas before painting helps you reference the numbers later, especially if small numbers get covered while painting.

Your preview is ready in under a minute. After you order, production time varies with current order volume and canvas size, and you will see the current estimated production and delivery window at checkout before you pay.

Yes. Once your kit ships, you should receive tracking information by email.

PicaToi uses live production monitoring to detect stuck jobs, worker failures, and pipeline issues. If there is a processing issue, the order can be flagged for review instead of being silently delayed.

Yes, as long as your artwork has not been printed yet. Contact support straight away. Once it is printed it cannot be canceled, because the kit is made for you.

Each kit is made from your photo, so we do not take returns. Anything damaged is replaced, anything missing is replaced, and a misprint or wrong art style is reprinted. We refund in full only if we sent the wrong artwork. Send us a photo and your order number within 14 days of delivery.

Take photos of the packaging, canvas, paint pots, and any damaged items. Contact support with your order number within 14 days of delivery so the issue can be reviewed.

Contact support with your order number and a photo of what was included in the package. PicaToi can review the order contents and help resolve the issue.

Yes. A custom paint-by-number kit is a personal, creative gift for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, holidays, couples, families, pet owners, and art lovers.

Group order codes for parties and events are planned. This can be useful for birthdays, bridal showers, team events, date nights, family gatherings, and creative workshops.

Yes. These are some of the best use cases. Choose a clear, high-quality image and select a canvas size large enough for the level of detail in the photo.

Your result depends on the photo quality, selected style, canvas size, difficulty level, and how carefully you paint. PicaToi is designed to give you a clean, guided structure so you can create a finished piece that feels personal, artistic, and display-worthy.

Yes. If you choose a Rolled [Unframed] canvas, you can frame or stretch it after painting. If you choose a pre-stretched canvas option when available, the painting is already mounted and can be displayed more easily.

Yes. PicaToi encourages customers to share their finished paintings. Tag the brand if you want to be featured, but PicaToi will not repost or use your image for marketing without permission.