Ready to turn your dice art design into reality? This guide covers everything you need to know about buying dice — from choosing the right size to finding the best prices.
Table of Contents
Dice Sizes Explained
Standard dice come in several sizes, measured in millimeters. Here's what works best for dice art:
| Size | Best For | Price/Die | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12mm | Small projects, fine detail | $0.008-0.015 | Good for experts |
| 16mm | Most projects | $0.01-0.02 | ⭐ Recommended |
| 19mm | Large displays | $0.02-0.03 | Good for big pieces |
💡 Our Recommendation: 16mm Dice
16mm is the sweet spot for most projects. They're easy to handle, widely available, affordable, and produce great results. Our generator uses 16mm as the default for all calculations.
How Many Dice Do You Need?
The number of dice depends on your desired size and detail level:
Small (1,000 dice)
- Grid: ~32×32
- Size: ~50×50 cm
- Cost: ~$10-20
- Time: ~2-3 hours
Best for: Simple images, first projects
Medium (2,500 dice)
- Grid: ~50×50
- Size: ~80×80 cm
- Cost: ~$25-50
- Time: ~4-5 hours
⭐ Best for: Portraits, most projects
Large (5,000 dice)
- Grid: ~70×70
- Size: ~110×110 cm
- Cost: ~$50-100
- Time: ~8-10 hours
Best for: Detailed portraits, gifts
⚠️ Buy Extra!
Always order 10-15% more dice than calculated. You'll need extras for mistakes, defective dice, and having enough of each number (1-6). Our generator accounts for this in cost estimates.
Choosing Colors
For dice art, you need dice where the dots contrast with the background:
Where to Buy Dice
Best Online Sources
🛒 Amazon
Price: $0.015-0.025/die
Pros: Fast shipping, easy returns, reliable quality
Cons: Slightly higher prices
Search: "16mm dice bulk 1000"
🌏 AliExpress
Price: $0.008-0.015/die
Pros: Lowest prices, huge selection
Cons: 2-4 week shipping, variable quality
Search: "16mm acrylic dice bulk"
🎲 Game Supply Stores
Price: $0.02-0.03/die
Pros: Consistent quality, good customer service
Cons: Higher prices, limited colors
Examples: Chessex, Koplow Games
Buying Tips
- Check reviews — Look for comments about consistency and quality
- Order samples first — If buying large quantities, order 100 first to check quality
- Compare shipping — Free shipping deals can make higher-priced options cheaper overall
- Buy all at once — Dice from different batches may have slight color variations
Other Supplies You'll Need
Backing Board
Foam board, MDF, or plywood. Size should match your finished piece plus 2-3cm border.
~$10-30
Adhesive
Wood glue, craft glue, or hot glue. Wood glue gives the cleanest finish.
~$5-15
Ruler/Straight Edge
For keeping rows aligned. A long metal ruler works best.
~$5-10
Frame (Optional)
Shadow box frame or custom frame to display your finished piece.
~$20-100
Budget Calculator
Here's a realistic budget breakdown for different project sizes:
| Item | Small (1K) | Medium (2.5K) | Large (5K) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dice (+15% extra) | $12-23 | $29-58 | $58-115 |
| Backing Board | $8 | $15 | $25 |
| Glue | $5 | $8 | $12 |
| Frame (optional) | $20 | $40 | $80 |
| Total (with frame) | $45-56 | $92-121 | $175-232 |
| Total (no frame) | $25-36 | $52-81 | $95-152 |
Ready to Plan Your Project?
Use our free generator to see exactly how many dice you need and get a printable template.
Calculate Your Project →