How to Find Puzzles to Print: How to Print Free

There are a variety of different types of puzzles on the market. You can put together a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle of your favorite animal, complete a word-search puzzle while you’re on a flight, or try your hand at a sudoku puzzle. 

If you’re an avid puzzle player, you’ll know that buying one after the other can quickly add up. Instead of shelling out your hard-earned money for the newest crossword catalog, consider printing your own! That’s right, there are plenty of puzzles to print right online. 

You can simply type in what type of puzzle you’re looking for in a web browser and find a never-ending selection of fun and entertaining games and puzzles to print from the comfort of your own home! It doesn’t get easier than that.

Table of contents

HideShow

How to Find Puzzles to Print For Free

If you’re looking for puzzles to print, you’ll need a few things to get the job done. For starters, you’ll want a high-quality printer that will give you flawless photos, bold words, and precise lines, depending on the type of puzzle you choose.  

Along with a great printer, you’ll need ink that you can rely on. There’s no denying that printers can use a lot of ink, so it’s important to get a cartridge that is long-lasting

On average, printer ink is safe to use for two years. Black tends to last longer than color and gives a better finish. 

If you like to stay organized, we suggest using a hole puncher and a three-ringed binder to keep all of your puzzle pages in one place. 

How to Print a Jigsaw Puzzle 

Printing a custom jigsaw can make a perfect gift for just about any occasion! It doesn’t require too much work or knowledge either. 

All you’ll need is:

  • A printer
  • A computer
  • And a photo that you want to turn into a puzzle. 

Step One: Uploading Your Photo

The first thing you’ll want to do is take a photo that you enjoy and open in a photo-editing software. 

This can be Photoshop, Lightroom, or any other option that works for you. This is key because after opening the photo, you’ll want to find a puzzle PNG online. 

After you find a fun puzzle PNG image on your go-to search engine, you’ll want to overlay it onto your photo. Simply drag it on top of your picture and turn the opacity down until you can barely see the puzzle piece lines. 

Step Two: Printing Your Photo

Next, print your photo according to the size you want. If you’re designing a large puzzle, you’ll have to glue pieces together or apple extra mod podge

Either method you choose should give you a fairly flawless finish. It’s much cheaper than paying a professional company to make a custom puzzle for you. 

Step Three: Applying to Board 

The penultimate step simply requires you to apply the printed photo to a piece of cardboard. Another great option is an old cereal box. 

This way it’s thin enough to not take up much space and it still holds the photo in place. You can use a glue stick and finish with a layer of glossy or matte mod podge. 

Make sure to apply the mod podge to the top of the photo and the backside of the cardboard. This will prevent water damage or stains from ruining the puzzle.

Step Four: Cutting the Pieces 

Lastly, take an Exacto knife or box cutter to cut along the puzzle piece lines. Make sure to take your time with this step. 

We all know how perfectly puzzle pieces are supposed to fit together. Be precise and remember to always cut away from you. 

After all the pieces are cut, you’re done! You can get a cute box to put them in and print out the original picture and glue it to the top of the box! 

You could also add a border that includes the number of pieces, who made it, and a fun tag line for the photo! Make it your own with these special touches. 

Benefits of Printing Your Own Puzzles 

 So, what’s so great about print puzzles home? Well, there are a number of benefits to printing your own vs. ordering pre-made ones. 

Let’s take a look at a few reasons why folks love making their own puzzles. 

1. It’s Practically Free 

Other than the upfront cost of a printer and ink, which most households already own, it’s free! Whether you’re printing off word searches, crosswords, or a photo for a jigsaw puzzle, it won’t cost you anything! 

The average jigsaw puzzle costs around $20 and is a generic image that anyone can buy. Crosswords can cost around $12 and up if you buy online or in a store. 

There’s nothing better than free entertainment and you’ll get just that when you look for puzzles to print online! 

2. Customization 

No matter what type of puzzles you’re into, if you buy something from a manufacturer, you’re going to have a puzzle that several other people have. By printing puzzles from home, you’re able to customize just about everything! 

Let’s say you want a travel-themed crossword puzzle book. You can search your favorite destinations or travel terms online followed by “free crossword print” and you’ll get a variety of different results. Some have fun fonts, backgrounds, and it’s all up to you which ones you print off. 

By now, you already know how customizable a personalized jigsaw puzzle is. You can choose a picture of your friends, family, pets, or your favorite Netflix show. 

These make excellent gifts, especially for that hard-to-shop-for person on your list!

3. Learn Something New 

If you don’t already know how to make a puzzle yourself or print one off online, you’ll be learning something new. 

It’s always a good idea to expand your mind and continuously learn new hobbies! Scientists have said recently that brain-training exercises, including completing puzzles can reduce the risk of developing dementia. 

4. Opportunities Are Endless 

Whether you’re wanting to create a book of word search puzzles for a long commute on the subway or you’re getting your winter indoor hobbies sorted, the opportunities are endless. 

When you’re able to print your own puzzles, you’re in charge of everything listed above! You can create what you want, how many puzzles you’d like, and more! 

5. Keeps Your Mind Sharp 

Other than being a good thing to keep dementia at bay, solving puzzles comes with a myriad of other health benefits. It’s known to increase the amount of dopamine being produced in the brain, which can fight off feelings of depression. 

Puzzles are also amazing for improving concentration, motivation, and memory, which can help in a variety of areas in your daily life. It can also improve your attention to detail, spatial awareness, and teamwork skills if you work on one with a friend! Plus, they’re just plain fun! 

6. Team Building Activity 

If you have a tight-knit group of friends, family members, or even co-workers who enjoy puzzles, let them in on the action! It doesn’t matter what type of puzzle you’re doing, it’s a great way to build relationships and have a good time in the process. 

It’s also an incredible activity for anyone suffering from anxiety, especially in social situations. Grab your buds and start some puzzles! 

Bottom Line 

Now that you know how to find puzzles to print, what are you waiting for? It’s practically free and there’s an unlimited supply of puzzle options online! 

Whether you’re printing off challenging word searches, famous crosswords, or a custom jigsaw puzzle for a loved one, you’re in for a good time. 

Remember to finish jigsaw puzzles with a few layers of mod podge to make them water-resistant. Have precise cuts on each piece, and store them in a compact box! 

Keep your printed word puzzles in binders to have them organized and available when you’re ready to play! Don’t forget to challenge yourself and most importantly, have fun!

7 Things to Know About Vintage Jig Saw Puzzles

Seven things to know about vintage jigsaw puzzles. From the most popular themes to vintage jigsaw puzzle composition.

VIEW POST

What Are 1 to 1, 2 to 2 ,And 3 to 3 Puzzles?

1 to 1, 2 to 2, and 3 to 3 puzzles are taxing, although, on the surface, they may appear simple. Connect six boxes without crossing the lines. Learn more here.

VIEW POST

How to Value Vintage Jigsaw Puzzles

Vintage jigsaw puzzles are a great way to add a touch of art and nostalgia to your home. Here is a helpful guide on how to value them.

VIEW POST

About Us

Puzzle Seek is about all things puzzles and games. So, if you seek a missing piece, a little history or a little fun we know you will find it here.

LEGAL INFORMATION

Puzzle Seek is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Puzzle Seek also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, ShareASale, Cj and other sites. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

About Puzzle SeekContact UsAll Blog PostsPrivacy PolicyTerms of Service

© 2022 Copyright Puzzle Seek