How to Glue a Puzzle Together and Frame It For Later
Introduction
Putting together puzzles can not only result in a peaceful and relaxing experience, but also provide you with a great piece of art. Displaying your completed jigsaws can feel rewarding and allow you to be proud of what you have accomplished for months or years on end. This process of framing jigsaw puzzles is not only easy, but also great for those on a budget. Don’t let all of your painstaking effort go to waste, learn how to glue and frame your puzzles now.
Prepare the Workspace
Preparation is a key step when thinking about gluing and framing your puzzles. Without the right environment to start with, you could end up with a lackluster final product or, worse, damaged furniture from spilled glue. Learn more about setting up your puzzling area below.
Protect Your Puzzle Building Area
The most important element of preparing your building area is protecting it. Gluing together puzzle pieces can be messy business and errant glue drops are likely to find their way to surfaces other than your jigsaw pieces. Therefore, it is important that whatever workspace the puzzler decides to work on is protected/covered by something and that the puzzle of choice is completed before gluing.
, find an area that is conducive to long periods of work. Look for a place that has sufficient lighting, comfortable seating, quiet surroundings, and won’t be needed by others any time soon. In addition to the time it takes you to build the puzzle, you’ll have to wait for the glue to dry, so make sure the area will remain undisturbed for a long time.
Then clear the workspace of any loose items and valuables. Once the area is bare, cover it with something like an old sheet, cardboard, or wax paper to provide a barrier between the working surface and your puzzle. This prevents your jigsaw pieces from sticking to the work surface and likewise protects the surface from glue. For a clean and enjoyable experience, consider puzzle workspace accessories like a puzzle caddy and puzzle-specific glue.
Complete Your Puzzle of Choice
Before even considering how to glue a puzzle, you should complete it from beginning to end. Puzzling should be a relaxing and enjoyable experience, and attempting to glue each piece as you lay it down adds more frustrating than fun.
When selecting a puzzle, look for a theme and type that you personally like. Additionally, choosing something that isn’t too easy will increase the sense of achievement you feel upon completion and make you proud of what you have created. Large 1,500+ piece puzzles are extremely difficult and the most worthy of immortalizing in a frame! For a unique piece of art that no one else has, consider framing exclusive puzzles found at Spilsbury.
What is the Best Way to Glue a Puzzle?
Now that you’ve completed your masterpiece, take a moment to sit back and admire it! Then it’s time to glue the pieces together. To do so, you’ll obviously need glue, but not just any will do.
Choosing the right glue is important to successfully bind every piece and have an end product that looks good in a frame on your wall. Because you already built the puzzle, a liquid glue is needed in order to seep down into the cracks and set between the pieces. If you’re not sure what glue to use, puzzle glue is readily available and straightforward to apply to your jigsaw.
Once your puzzle is complete, flat, and ready for gluing, simply pour the liquid adhesive onto the jigsaw. Ensure the glue is spread evenly and fills every nook and cranny of the pieces. To aid in this step, you can find a spare piece of cardboard to smooth the glue across the puzzle’s surface.
If you prefer to use another method for gluing your puzzle, there are also a variety of other adhesives that you can use. For example, look into adhesive liners and glue sheets. They aren’t as easy to apply, but can save you the mess of liquid glue.
How to Frame a Puzzle
With your puzzle built, glued, and fully dried overnight, you’re well on your way to hanging it for all to see. All that’s left is framing your jigsaw puzzle. We’ll cover the details of accomplishing this task below.
Size and Mount Your Puzzle
In order to select the right frame, you have to know the size of your puzzle. Either consult the box it came in or measure the dimensions with a tape measure. Then mount it on a piece of foam board to ensure durability after framing. Without this step, the puzzle could easily break within the frame once it is positioned vertically and more stress is placed on the glued joints.
Place your glued puzzle onto your piece of foam board, which can be acquired from any hobby store, and trace its perimeter with a pencil. Using a craft knife or utility knife, cut the mounting board along the lines you just drew. Using adhesive spray or more liquid glue, attach the puzzle to the foam backing, making sure all edges line up evenly.
Finally, ensure the puzzle is flat against the mounting board. To do so, place a small object or desktop accessory on top of the jigsaw to weigh it down. Let it dry again, allowing the entire puzzle to fully stick to the board.
Place Your Puzzle into the Frame
After letting the puzzle completely dry and stick to the mounting board for up to 24 hours, carefully place the jigsaw into your frame of choice. The frame you choose is entirely up to you, although we believe simple materials and patternless designs allow the puzzle itself to shine. Consider a simple wood or metal frame for your creation.
When you’re ready, secure the backing using the method provided by the frame—and you’re done! Once you’ve framed your jigsaw puzzle, display it wherever you choose to appreciate your creation.
Conclusion
That’s all there is to gluing and framing a puzzle. The process adds some fun to the standard completion of a jigsaw and allows you to enjoy the spoils of your effort indefinitely! So, are you ready to start gluing and framing a puzzle of your own? Visit Bits and Pieces to purchase exclusive jigsaws for your future puzzle framing projects.