Guide

Perler vs Hama vs Artkal Beads

Choose the bead brand and color palette that best matches your supplies, location, and pattern style.

Perler, Hama, and Artkal beads can all be used for fuse bead projects, but they differ in availability, color range, and how they behave when ironed.

For SEO and crafting, the practical question is simple: choose the palette that matches the beads you can actually buy and use.

Perler

Common in North America and a familiar choice for classic projects.

Hama

Popular in Europe with strong availability for many crafters.

Artkal

Large color range that can help detailed portraits and anime projects.

How to choose a brand

Start with availability. A perfect digital palette is not useful if the beads are hard to buy. After that, consider color range and project style.

  • Use Perler if it is the easiest brand to buy locally.
  • Use Hama if you already own Hama boards and beads.
  • Use Artkal when detailed color matching matters and you can source the colors.

Can you mix brands?

Some crafters mix brands, but bead height, softness, and ironing behavior can vary. Test a small sample before mixing brands in a large project.

Palette choice inside Pixelbead

Choose the palette before exporting so the bead counts match the brand you plan to use. If you change brands later, colors may shift.

FAQ

Which bead brand is best for photo patterns?

The best brand is usually the one with enough colors and easy availability in your area. Artkal can help detailed color work, while Perler and Hama are common choices.

Can I switch palettes after generating a pattern?

Yes, but the closest color matches and bead counts can change. Always re-check the preview before exporting.

Create a bead pattern

Related resources

Perler Bead Color Chart and Palette Guide

Compare Perler, Hama, Artkal, and MARD bead palettes and learn how to choose colors for photo-to-bead pattern conversion.

Photo to Perler Bead Pattern Converter

Convert photos into printable Perler bead patterns with grid size controls, real bead palettes, color counts, and PNG/PDF export.

Hama Bead Pattern Maker

Create Hama bead patterns from photos and images with grid size controls, color matching, bead counts, and printable exports.

Fuse Bead Pattern Generator

Generate printable fuse bead patterns from images with color counts, grid sizing, bead brand palettes, and PNG/PDF export.