Paint-by-numbers canvas combines a printed guide with paint placed inside each outlined area. A dark numeral may remain visible when a light or translucent color is applied in a thin layer. That does not mean every number needs to be covered. Check the paint color, the size of the numeral, and how much of the guide must remain visible before reaching for another tool.

Why printed numbers sometimes show through

The goal is not to erase the map. It is to reduce a distracting mark in a specific pale area while keeping the boundary that tells you where the brush should stop.

Start with the paint and canvas you actually have

Read the kit instructions and identify which colors are light or transparent enough to reveal the print. Creovia’s paint-by-numbers kits list color options and canvas details on each product page, so check the specific listing rather than assuming every kit uses the same paints or canvas surface. The kit contents guide explains what to look for before beginning: what comes in a paint by numbers kit.

If the number is already hidden by the assigned color, leave it alone. If you are unsure, paint a small test section as directed and let it dry. A second coat of the assigned paint may be all that is needed; avoid adding a white base automatically, since it can alter the appearance of a translucent color.

How to cover a number without losing the outline

Work on a dry, clean canvas and keep the cap on the marker whenever it is not in use. If you are using a separate white acrylic marker, test it on spare canvas material or an inconspicuous printed area first. Let the test dry and inspect both the coverage and the outline.

Use a fine tip to place a thin coat only over the numeral, staying inside the printed boundary. Broad strokes can cross into neighboring sections or make the line harder to follow. Allow the marker to dry fully according to its product directions before painting over it. Then use the color assigned to that section and build coverage with controlled strokes instead of pressing hard.

Creovia’s Number Remover Marker is described as a white, fine-tip acrylic marker for lightly covering printed numbers before painting. Its listing says to allow the mark to dry, then paint the section as usual. Check the current product listing for its full directions and availability.

What to do if the number is still visible

Let the paint dry before deciding whether another layer is needed. Wet paint can look uneven, and repeatedly brushing the same spot may disturb the canvas surface. If the numeral still shows through, compare a second thin coat of the assigned color with the marker approach you tested. Avoid thick paint buildup that fills a narrow outline or creates a raised patch.

If the white marker itself shows through, do not keep layering blindly. Test a small amount of the assigned color over the dried base and check the result. If the canvas surface or printed line has changed in a way that makes the section difficult to read, pause and use the kit's instructions or contact the seller for product-specific guidance.

Keep the rest of the canvas easy to follow

Cover one or a few numbers at a time, then paint those areas while the section boundaries are still easy to see. Keep the matching color and brush nearby, and close the marker before moving to another part of the canvas. This prevents a small correction from turning into a full-canvas prep step.

If this is your first project, the paint by numbers beginner guide walks through choosing a section and setting up a first session. Browse the current paint by numbers kits and check each listing for its actual contents, canvas options, and available variants.

Keep a simple test record

When you test a covering method, note the paint color and whether the numeral was still visible after the test dried. That gives you a useful comparison if more than one pale color needs attention. Use a different small area for each method instead of layering marker, white paint, and assigned paint repeatedly in the same spot. If the printed outline becomes hard to see, stop and reassess before continuing across other sections.

Frequently asked questions