Getting Started with Perler Beads

Perler beads (also called Hama beads or fuse beads) are small plastic beads that you arrange on a pegboard and then fuse together with an iron. The result is a colorful pixel art piece you can display, wear, or give as a gift.

What You Need

Perler bead pegboard (square or circle)

Perler beads in various colors

Ironing paper (parchment paper works too)

A household iron

Tweezers (optional, but helpful)

Step 1: Choose Your Pattern

Start with a simple pattern — a heart, star, or your favorite game character. Use Perlerbead Studio to convert any image into a bead pattern automatically.

Step 2: Place Your Beads

Following your pattern, place beads one at a time on the pegboard. The color guide shows you exactly which beads go where.

Step 3: Iron the Pattern

Cover your finished pattern with ironing paper. Using a medium heat iron (no steam), gently press in circular motions for 10-15 seconds until the beads fuse together.

Tips for Beginners

Start small: A 20×20 grid is perfect for your first project

Sort your colors first: Having colors pre-sorted saves a lot of time

Work in sections: For large patterns, complete one section at a time

Use tweezers: They make placing tiny beads much easier

Using Perlerbead Studio

Our free online tool makes it easy to:

Convert any photo to a bead pattern

Adjust colors and grid size

Export a printable guide with color counts

Happy beading!