A starter set has almost everything you need to get started with Pixelhobby. There's enough material in it to dive into the hobby to your heart's content. A few small template booklets are included too, so you have something to pixel right away. Or would you rather decide freely? Then just get going.
The difference from a complete set
If you buy a set with a fixed design from us, it contains exactly the colors in the right number of pixel squares. The right number of base plates and, if needed, the connectors. You get exactly one template. So you pixel exactly the design you picked.
With a starter set, it's the other way around. The pixel squares are a colorful mix and aren't matched to any single picture. You also get small template booklets, from which you choose whatever you feel like making.
So a starter set is a basic kit of materials, not a kit for one design.
If you have a specific picture in mind, get a set with a fixed design. If you first want to find out whether pixeling is your thing at all, you're in the right place.
Two starter sets, and how they differ
Both are Classic (Mini), both are labeled for ages 6 and up, and both contain the same basic setup: pixel squares, medallions with something to hang them on, small base plates with magnets, and small template booklets.
The only difference is the quantity of each material.
The small starter set
It contains 28 Classic (Mini) pixel squares, 4 medallions, 4 key rings, 5 small base plates, 5 magnets and 2 small template booklets.
That gives you four keychains and five magnet pictures to make. A medallion takes you between 15 and 45 minutes; it holds 154 pixels. So a keychain is done quickly, and the whole set still lasts you a few evenings.
You can get it in the cardboard box or in the plastic box, which differ only in how you store things. There's also the refill set, which contains only the pixel squares, without medallions and without base plates.
The medium starter set
It contains 60 Classic (Mini) pixel squares, 12 medallions, 12 key chains, 4 small base plates, 4 magnets, plus 3 small template booklets for medallions and 3 for small base plates.
You'll rarely get through twelve medallions on your own. This is the set for when several of you sit at the table together, or when you want a supply for little gifts.
For a child, by the way, that's the real advantage. They can make something for everyone in the family or the class without having to reorder after the third keychain.
Here you can choose between the simple box and the Set Box M, which is sturdier and can survive being dropped. And again there's the refill set with just the pixel squares.
Which one suits you
If you want to start on your own, get the small one. If several of you want to pixel together, or you need a supply for giving away, get the medium one. And if you already know exactly which picture you want to make, get a set with a fixed design.
If you want all the colors
We have a separate set for that. The School Set contains one of every Classic (Mini) color, plus an overview of all colors and a large set box.
You can choose from four variants: just the colors, with small base plates and magnets, with medallions and key chains, or everything together.
It's meant for school classes and groups, and for anyone who doesn't feel like reordering every color individually. For a very first try, it's one size too big.
The starter set is especially good for children
Both starter sets are labeled for ages 6 and up, and they're a good choice for school-age children. Precisely because there's no fixed design included, nobody has to struggle through a template. The child picks whatever they like from the small template booklets, or simply starts without a template.
For young children, we recommend something else
For a young child who's just starting out, we'd suggest something else.
Start with an XL (Midi) Magnet Set. One small base plate, one magnet, at least 3 pixel squares and therefore at least 3 colors. The pixels are bigger, easy to pick up with your fingers, and easy to take off again if it should look different after all. Afterwards the picture hangs on the fridge, and that's what matters the first time.
Only once that goes well is something bigger worth it.
And one more thing you won't find in any instructions: don't force a young child to follow a template. The first stage is simply getting the pixels to stay on the plate. The colors end up in a colorful jumble. Sorting comes later, and working from a template much later still.
What else you need
At the very top it says you'll find almost everything. The "almost" is the tweezers. They aren't included in either starter set. You can manage without them, but with them it is easier.
Other than that, you need nothing. No gluing and no ironing; the pixels hold on their own. That's the whole trick of the system.
With a medallion, most people lay the template next to them and count, because the little thing keeps slipping around on the template anyway. With the small base plate, the template goes underneath. Nobody counts 576 pins reliably, and neither will you.
In case you spell it differently than we do
Many people search for Pixel Hobby as two words, or for picel hobby or pixel hoby. Some write Grundplatte instead of Basisplatte, others search for Medallion, Medaillion or Medalion. It always means the same thing, and with any of these variants you'll end up in the right place with us.
The correct spelling is Pixelhobby, one word. We call the plate a base plate. And the small plate with the arch and the hole is called a medallion.
You'll find the starter sets and the materials that go with them here: Pixelhobby Classic (Mini) - small starter set · Pixelhobby Classic (Mini) - medium starter set · Pixelhobby Classic (Mini) Set - School - with all Classic colors · XL (Midi) Magnet Sets · Medallions and keychains · Base plates · Classic (Mini) colors · Classic (Mini) Template Books · Accessories