Size Matters

This week’s topic is a brief look into the 3 different sizes that Perler beads typically come in: mini, midi, and maxi.

Midi Beads

Midi beads are the standard size, measuring at about 5 mm (millimeters) per bead. Because they are the standard, they are the easiest to get your hands on at your local craft store. Perler officially offers over 100 assorted colors and mixes to choose from, and they typically come in bags of 1,000 or 6,000 beads. Naturally, tools and other important accessories, like pegboards and tweezers, are sized appropriately to fit the standard. For best melting results, your iron should be on medium setting.

Mini Beads

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Mini beads are about half the size of regular beads, measuring at 2.5 mm. These beads are super fun, but are a bit harder to see and handle. Because of this, you will definitely want to invest in a pair or two of mini tweezers — they will save you the hassle! Also, don’t forget the mini pegboards! The mini beads don’t have as big of a color variety as their midi counterparts do (not even half!), and usually come in assorted trays like the ones pictured above. As far as ironing goes, you’ll either want to put it on a lower setting or use the same medium setting that you do for the midi beads but for a much shorter time. They’re great for smaller projects like jewelry, and can be found at select craft stores such as Michael’s.

Maxi Beads

Otherwise known as “Biggie beads” in the Perler brand, these beads are double the size of regular beads at about 10 mm. Like the mini beads, these also require a specific pegboard; however, they don’t require tweezers as they are already big enough to be handled comfortably with your fingers. This is what makes them great for kids. Unfortunately, the colors for these beads are even more limited than their mini counterparts and are only found in mixed buckets like the one in the picture. Because they are bigger, they will need to be ironed on a high setting. It’s rare to find this size at a craft store; your best bet is to find them online.

Comparisons

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