Now that old-style jigsaw puzzles are coming back in fashion, we've seen an increase in customers ordering custom puzzles. Occasionally, we get a request from a customer asking for advice on how to put a challenging jigsaw puzzle together faster and more effectively.
There are a number of tricks and tips that can help you assemble a puzzle with less frustration, FAST.
EXPERT TIP: If you are practicing for speed puzzle events, we have a series of blog posts to help get your started. Check out our post on Speed Puzzling Tips.
1. Choose A Work Area That Fits The Puzzle
Most jigsaw puzzles will show the finished size on the puzzle box. It's important to choose a proper area that will not be in the way of daily routines. While a kitchen table is an excellent place to assemble a puzzle, it might not be the most practical place for your adventure. Look for a card table or another flat surface that might not be disturbed easily. Look for a low-traffic area or flat surface that will hold the size of the puzzle and be undisturbed. Puzzle Mats come in quite handy if you have to move the puzzle.
EXPERT TIP: If you plan on gluing your finished project, assemble on a piece of cardboard that is 2 or more inches larger than the finished size of the puzzle on all sides. You will need to flip the puzzle over to glue and this will save some work down the road. Check out our article on How To Glue A Puzzle. Also, placing the puzzle on vinyl will help you move the pieces easier and faster. It's the surface of choice in puzzle competitions.
2. Lighting is the key to assembling a puzzle FAST.
In order to properly see the colors and patterns on a puzzle, lighting plays a big factor in the success of any avid puzzler. Floor lamps may work temporarily, but provide for shadows and also can strain the back There are many desk lamps that are recommended but be sure to find one that can be turned and maneuvered without disturbing the pieces. If choosing a desk lamp, I recommend a wireless one to avoid any mishaps with the cord.
EXPERT TIP: I've had great success with a headlamp that I picked up from the local hardware store. They are relatively inexpensive and are not intrusive.
3. Turn All Puzzle Pieces Picture Side Up | Sorting and Grouping
EXPERT TIP: When sorting the edge pieces you can cut corners and sort through most, not all, of the pieces. The remaining edge pieces will easily show up as you are assembling. To help save time and a mess, lift the puzzle pieces out of the box by hand to avoid any dust from manufacturing. Empty the dust in the trash and use the box for sorting. At The Missing Piece Puzzle Company, we make sure that our puzzles are as dust free as possible.
Here's a great and comprehensive article on sorting techniques that may help during a puzzle competition: The Art Of Effective Sorting
4. Assembling The Border
5. Assembling The Center
All puzzle pieces have what I call hooks or knobs. Now that you have sorted the pieces by color, texture, or shape, you can begin placing them together based on whether the hooks and knobs will line up. Many times it's obvious when they will (or won't) line up. It's recommended that you work in small sections of the puzzle, as some sections will be easier and faster to assemble. Once you complete a little section its time to place it within the framework of the puzzle. Try to place it in the area that it will be when you have completed the puzzle.6. Keep Working On It And Don't Give Up
Puzzles come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and difficulty levels. At times you might need to step away from the puzzle and take a break from assembling. A fresh set of eyes always helps. Puzzling should be a fun experience and should not be frustrating. Whether it is taking more time than you allotted, just know that this is a common occurrence. The more you puzzle to develop your skills, the easier you'll find puzzling and the better you'll become.
To Frame Or Not To Frame
Congratulations on completing your puzzle. Now it's time to decide if you will be framing your masterpiece or crumbling it back up to put in the box to share with another, or to redo the puzzle at a later time. If you decide to frame your puzzle, we have some expert tips and advice on using glue, or not using glue. Check out the blog on GLUING A PUZZLE or NOT GLUING A PUZZLE.
I hope that you enjoyed these suggestions and that they help you assemble even the toughest puzzle with skill and ease. If you think you're now ready to host a jigsaw puzzle competition, check out our Blog on HOW TO HOST A SUCCESSFUL JIGSAW PUZZLE FUNDRAISER.
You can START HERE on designing and making a custom photo puzzle. It's easy, fast, and will arrive at your doorstep in days.
MADE IN AMERICA
Comments
Bridget
Any advice or recommendations on roll-up puzzle pads? A child and I work on a puzzle and he wants to finish it at home. What might be a good way to accomplish this? He is 5 and likes 300-500 piece puzzles.
February 05, 2024
Sharlotte
I never liked doing puzzles until 3 years ago. My best friend does puzzles and would sc me pics which I found interesting. She frames most of hers which I never knew you could do. Then I saw a puzzle that looked exactly like my son and daughter in laws cat. The setting the cat was in was perfect as well – laying on old books with melting candles and a night sky background. They love Halloween as well so I kept looking at it and after 7 months bought it. It was a struggle at times – mostly when I was on all the same color pieces, but I really enjoyed doing this puzzle. I framed it and gave it to them and they loved it. My skillset isn’t very high yet, but I have completed about 5 puzzles since then and framed a few. I have to be very specific with lots of colors and smaller 500-750 piece puzzles. I find the process very relaxing as my busy brain gets to only focus on the puzzle and pieces & not all the other things going on for a few hours every once in awhile. The puzzle I’m working on now is a step up – 1000 smaller pieces and that is how I came to visit this page with tips as I’m struggling with it and took a break to see if I could find some good tips. Here we are and after reading this article as well as the comments – I’m ready to go try again! Thanks all! :-)
May 08, 2023
Karen
I LOVED the comment from Mr. Clark! My name is Karen and I help my 89 year old mother with her puzzles and I’m almost 60! I trust you finished your gift by Easter. Godspeed to both of you as I’m sure you’re both addicted to puzzles now!
THANK YOU so much for these tips. Mom and I use a couple large baking “sheets” to sort the pieces. The large ones with sides. They are wonderful because they sandwich together when you are done with puzzling for the day and the pieces DO NOT stick to the tray that’s on top of them. They are aluminum (light grey) so the piece colors show up well against the pan’s neutral color. I hope this helps the person looking for a puzzling table. I wouldn’t think glass would be a good idea. You can see through to all of the colors under the table.
I really loved the ideas you shared about using mats or vinyl to move working puzzles easily. Mom was gifted a 2,000 piece puzzle last Christmas and we’re going to start it now! I really hope we’ll be done by Thanksgiving when we kinda need the dining room table….. I’m going to get some kind of mat just in case. God bless!
May 08, 2023
heather
I just thought Iwould let people know that I find a large chalk board or white board great to do puzzles on. When not in use I can slide it under the sofa or coffee table. (Keeps my cat away from it)
May 01, 2023
Janet
Trying to find out on jigsaw puzzle what the green check means on the puzzle
May 08, 2023
Alison
Wow, I have never liked puzzles, but with my aging parents I thought I might revisit this opinion. Thank you for all of the helpful suggestions, fingers crossed I find a new hobby.
March 06, 2023
Joanne Piccolo
Thank you all for the suggestions. My daughter got me a black and white puzzle for Christmas. Frankly I detest jigsaw puzzles but promised her I’d complete this one as it was a gift. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
January 02, 2023
Stella M. Rossi Watters
I always take some time to observe the picture and the pieces, and also to touch the pieces . I get familiar with the puzzle. It is always a sensory experience . It takes time for me to put the puzzle together but I enjoy the process.
Thanks for your recommendations about sorting and laying down pieces.
March 06, 2023
Stella M. Rossi Watters
I always take some time to observe the picture and the pieces, and also to touch the pieces . I get familiar with the puzzle. It is always a sensory experience . It takes time for me to put the puzzle together but I enjoy the process.
Thanks for your recommendations about sorting and laying down pieces.
January 02, 2023
Susan
I have been doing jigsaw puzzles this way all my life. But I have recently discovered that it is not the best way, at least not for me. Yes, use a large enough space, large enough to spread all the pieces out, if possible. I use the floor. Yes, have good lighting. Yes, turn all the pieces over first. But don’t start with the edges. That way turns out to be slow and tedious. Instead, do it by logical sections. After you have turned all the pieces over, sort them into groups that will be going together. For example, all the sky pieces together, all the water together, all the red birds, or whatever together. Then start with whichever part of the puzzle seems like it will be the easiest. When adjoining sections are completed, they can then be joined together. And what about the edges? They will naturally come together with the other pieces in logical sections. Try doing it this way and you will find that the puzzle practically does itself.
December 12, 2022
Leave a comment