How Long Does String Art Take? A Realistic Guide for Beginners
So… how long does string art really take?
Honestly? It depends. The time it takes to finish a string art piece really comes down to the size of the design and its complexity—by complexity, I mean how detailed it is and how many nails you’re working with. The more tiny curves and color changes you add, the more time you’ll need.
But to give you a general idea:
Small projects (like a simple heart, star, or letter) usually take around 2 hours to complete. That includes hammering in the nails and layering the thread. Of course, if you want super-dense thread layering or very tight nail spacing, it can take longer—but you’re in control here.
Medium projects, like our 8x8 inch silhouette kits, tend to fall somewhere between 2.5 to 3 hours. If the design is more detailed or uses multiple colors, expect it to take a little longer. Many people like to break these up into two sessions—hammering first, stringing later.
Larger projects (like the three-tree silhouette design or anything bigger than 8x8 inches with curves and layered details) can take 3+ hours. When I get a custom order of our large three-branch design, I can hammer the nails in about 1.5–2 hours—and I’ve been hammering since 2015, so I’m not slow. Then I usually spend two evenings with Netflix in the background, slowly and calmly working through the stringing part.
And don’t forget your starting point. If you’re doing everything from scratch—cutting and staining your own wood base, printing your own template, prepping the nails—that will take extra time. Especially staining! Please let that wood dry. Don’t start placing your pattern on a wet board and wonder why everything smudged.
If you get a kit from us, you’ll save time right away. The base is cut and stained, the pattern is ready, and in the case of pre-nailed kits, you can skip hammering entirely and dive into stringing.
But if you’ve got some pent-up energy, hammering is its own kind of therapy.
What Affects the Time It Takes
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here—but a few things definitely influence how long your string art project will take.
Pattern Complexity
If your design has tiny details, it’ll take longer. Especially if those details are squeezed onto a small wood base. That combo—complex design plus limited space—can be… not fun. Like trying to thread a needle during an earthquake.
Take our Easter Bunny kit. It’s only 6x8 inches, but those little cheek and eye details? They’re fiddly. Same with the Frenchie with the flower crown—not a huge piece, but so many tiny shapes.
And don’t be fooled by size. The Rainbow Umbrella is also 8x8 inches but includes a color change every few centimeters. Each time, you cut the thread, tie a knot, and hide it neatly. It all adds up.
Size of the Project
Sure, a 5x5 heart with one thread color can be finished in no time. But once you size up, it changes the game. Even something visually simple like Mid-Century Mountains requires more layering, which means more thread, more patience, and more time.
Nail Count and Spacing
More nails = more hammering. That’s just the math.
Take the Pine Tree Silhouette. It’s not a large piece, but it needs smaller nails packed closely together to capture the branch shapes. That means you’re spending time carefully placing each nail—and praying none bend.
Too far apart, and your string won’t cover the board well. Too close together, and the nails become tricky to hammer in—especially if you’re not pre-drilling.
Your Experience Level
First-time string art might look a little… wobbly. Your nails could tilt. The layering might be uneven. Maybe your threads look more like dental floss chaos. That’s okay.
Start with something manageable. The Rainbow Heart or the Geometric Mandala (which is pre-nailed!) are great beginner options.
Save the Peacock Feather or Monstera Leaves for round two.
Simple doesn’t mean boring. It means you chose something that matches your time, energy, and mood. And that’s smart.
Can You Make String Art Faster?
Yes, you can. But should you?
Prep Your Setup
Make space for it. Set up at a table, not the sofa. I’ve done it on the couch with a pile of cushions and Netflix, sure—but the scissors will disappear, and your back will complain.
Have your base stained and dry, your template printed, and your materials organized. Sit by a window or under a lamp. It makes everything easier (and prettier when the brass nails catch the light).
Break It Into Sessions
When I work on a new design, I break it into three parts: prep, hammering, and stringing. After hammering, I usually get a coffee—because my acid reflux insists—and then I sit down for the stringing part. If it’s a big one, I split that into sessions too.
Sometimes Kristaps handles the stringing while I do the hammering. Teamwork.
If you’re crafting solo, a cookie break between steps is strongly recommended.
Use the Right Tools
- A small hammer is your best friend.
- Pliers = fewer smashed fingers (and I like my fingers, thanks).
- Templates with pre-marked nail holes? A lifesaver.
- Choose the right thread. Don’t use chunky yarn on a tiny design. It won’t look good.
I’ve written a whole blog post on threads, so check that out if you’re unsure.
Choose the Right Kit
We offer three kit types:
- Full Kit – Everything you need, including tools.
- Basic Kit – Same as full but without tools, for crafty people who already have them.
- Pre-nailed Kit – You skip the hammering. I hammer in the nails for you. You just sit down and enjoy the stringing part.
If you want to save time, or just skip straight to the fun, pre-nailed is the way to go.
Need a Quick Win? Try These Fast Projects
Under 1 Hour (Kind Of)
Look, you can finish a piece in under an hour… if you really want to. But string art isn’t supposed to be rushed.
You paid for the kit (or someone gifted it to you because they love you), so don’t turn this into a race. Take your time. Enjoy the gossip, sip your tea or wine, and maybe finish it in two sittings instead of one.
But if you’re set on speed, these are the closest you’ll get:
- Geometric Mandala (pre-nailed)
- Sunflower – Small
2–3 Hours
This is the sweet spot for most of our kits (if you’re doing both nails and strings). If you choose a pre-nailed version, it’ll go even faster.
3+ Hours
Larger doesn’t always mean bigger—it could just be more detailed, have more color changes, or extra layering.
Here’s a mix of our most immersive, thoughtful, and intricate designs:
- Monstera Leaves
- Tree Roots
- Lotus Silhouette
- Tree Silhouette
- Rainbow Umbrella
- Rainbow
- Snowflake
- Third Eye
- Mountain Landscape
- Sunflowers – Large
Every knot, color change, and curve adds time—but also makes the final piece so satisfying.
The Best Part? It’s Not a Race
We live in the age of fast everything. AI gives us answers in seconds. We 3D-print gift boxes at home. We’re used to speed—even in creativity.
But string art isn’t about speed.
It’s about stepping back from the rush. Doing something slower, with your hands, for the joy of it. It’s about training ourselves—and maybe our kids—that not everything has to be fast to be worthwhile.
When I’m not rushing, I feel calmer. I sit by the window, let the sun hit my brass nails, sip chamomile tea, and let my mind wander. Sometimes my kids come over asking for the 100th snack of the day, and it’s fine. When you’re not in a hurry, it’s easier to embrace life’s interruptions.
And if you’re a perfectionist or impatient? Start small. Pick a 5x5 design. It’ll give you confidence and experience. You’ll learn how to space your nails, how much thread you like, and what looks good to you.
There’s no one right way to string. You are the pattern. You decide.
Take Your Time—and Enjoy the Process
So… how long does string art take?
It depends. But the truth is, the slower you go, the more you’ll enjoy it.
If you’re crafting for stress relief, gifting something meaningful, or just curious about this hobby, I’ve got plenty of beginner-friendly kits and patterns to get you started.
Find your pace. Choose your style. And let yourself enjoy every nail, knot, and loop.
Happy stringing,
Renāte from GoodStrings