What to Do When a Perler Pattern Needs Colors You Don’t Have

How to use the substitute chart

Example: you’re missing A15. Open the A-series table and find A15 in the Missing column.

If you own a 72-color kit, use A4. On a 96-color kit, also A4. On a 144-color kit, use A11.

Substitutes are approximate—hue/value can drift. Keep faces, eyes, and logos on true codes or same-batch restocks when you can.

• Confirm the pattern’s color system (often MARD-style letter + number)
• Confirm whether your kit is 72 / 96 / 144
• Apply one substitute rule across the whole piece—don’t mix charts mid-build

Read your kit size first

“In set” = that kit already has the code; no swap needed.

72-color kits miss the most shades; 144-color kits cover more rows with “In set”.

When generating patterns, pick the palette that matches the beads you will actually buy.

• MARD color codes guide →
• Free pattern maker →

A-series substitutes

When the missing code starts with A, use this table.

B-series substitutes

When the missing code starts with B, use this table.

C-series substitutes

When the missing code starts with C, use this table.

D-series substitutes

When the missing code starts with D, use this table.

E-series substitutes

When the missing code starts with E, use this table.

F-series substitutes

When the missing code starts with F, use this table.

G-series substitutes

When the missing code starts with G, use this table.

H-series substitutes

When the missing code starts with H, use this table.

M-series substitutes

When the missing code starts with M, use this table.

When there’s no perfect match

Some codes never swap cleanly. Options: shrink the grid to drop rare colors; recolor in the maker before export; restock only hero colors and approximate backgrounds.

When restocking, prioritize black/white/high-use shades and keep batches together.

• Storage & restock tips →
• Mixing bead brands →
• Generate a pattern first →