The first step in rhinestone design is defining the overall image and style direction, such as:
Logo-based rhinestone design
Text or lettering rhinestone artwork
Graphic or pattern rhinestone layout
Full-bedazzled or partial-bedazzled placement
Clear design positioning helps determine the complexity level of the rhinestone artwork and avoids unnecessary design changes during sampling.
The number of rhinestone colors used in a design has a significant impact on cost.
Key considerations include:
Single-color rhinestone designs are the most cost-efficient
Multi-color rhinestone designs increase material and setup costs
Gradient or mixed-color effects require higher precision and labor
In most cases, 2–4 rhinestone colors offer a strong visual impact while keeping costs under control. Excessive color variation should only be used for high-end or limited-edition products.
Rhinestone size directly affects both visual appearance and total stone quantity.
Common rhinestone sizes used in apparel include:
SS6 – SS10: Fine details and text
SS12 – SS16: Main design elements
SS20 – SS30: Bold highlights and focal points
Smaller stones require more pieces per design, increasing labor time and application cost. Larger stones reduce quantity but may raise unit stone cost. A balanced size combination is key to cost-effective rhinestone design.