How to Frame a Puzzle?

You may think that puzzles are only for children, but do you know that there are much more fun and interesting puzzles for people of all ages? Not only that, but once you have completed a puzzle, you can also frame it yourself and hang it around the house. This post will guide you how you can do so.

Puzzles are highly popular among people of all ages, and children are exposed to them from a young age, so that they can develop their gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and also their problem-solving skills. Puzzles have been around for several centuries, and there are several types of puzzles that you can choose from, with jigsaw puzzles being the most popular type.

Earlier in the 18th century, puzzles were created by painting a picture on a rectangular piece of wood and cutting them into several pieces. These pieces could be interlocked together to recreate the original painting or image. Over the years, there have been several methods of manufacturing puzzles, and enthusiasts pride themselves in solving a complex puzzle. This is also why they choose to get it frame, or frame it themselves.

Ways to Frame a Puzzle

Puzzles can of different sizes, shapes, and even number of pieces. You can even find puzzles that have thousands of pieces in them, and the joy of completing such puzzles is unparalleled. This is one major reason why people choose to frame their puzzles. Let’s have a look at the complete process you can follow for doing so.

Flatten the Puzzle

Naturally, the first step of this process would be to finish the puzzle, if you haven’t already done so. Assuming that you have, you can take a rolling pin and flatten the puzzle completely, so that there are no raised pieces and the entire puzzle looks like a smooth image. Flattening it is crucial for the next step, which is to glue the pieces together.

Glue the Pieces Together

The next step involves gluing the puzzle pieces together, so that they don’t start to fall off or get out of place while you are framing it. You can buy puzzle glue that can be found at craft stores or even online. This glue comes with its own spreader tool that allows you to cleanly apply the glue to the puzzle pieces without making a mess. Make sure you have spread the glue evenly on the surface of the puzzle, so that there are no blobs or spots on it. Once the glue is applied, give it a good few hours to dry.

Fix the Curls in Your Puzzle

Chances are that your puzzle will start to curl after you have applied the glue, but there is no reason to worry. Ensuring that the glue has dried completely, you should flip the puzzle over and apply glue on its back. You should pay special attention to the spots where the puzzle is curling, and leave the puzzle to dry once again.

Mount the Puzzle

The next step is to find a base on which you can mount your puzzle, and you can make use of wax paper, foam, cardboard, or any other material that is a little stiff. The mounting base doesn’t have to be visible, but it should be large enough for all the pieces to stick onto it. Flip the puzzle on its back and apply glue to it. Quickly place the mount onto the glued area and press for maximum adhesion. Just like the previous steps, leave it to dry.

Buy a Frame

Finding a frame that you can use for your jigsaw puzzle is a crucial step. Jigsaw puzzles are made of cardboard and are quite thick. Plus, when you mount them, they become even thicker and your normal photo frame might not suffice. Therefore, you need a frame that can accommodate thicker pictures. Also, it is recommended that you get a frame with UV-resistant glass, so that it protects the puzzle from moisture and sun damage.

Additionally, you can also get a custom frame for your jigsaw puzzle. If you hold your finished puzzle dear and want to showcase it to everyone who comes to your house, then you should also be willing to invest a little more money into getting a special frame that complements the puzzle and also keeps it completely safe.

Place the Puzzle in the Frame

While you are getting the frame for your puzzle, it should have dried completely. At this point, all you need to do is to remove the backing cover of the frame, and gently lift your puzzle from the table. Carefully place it inside the frame’s borders, and ensure that it doesn’t move around or there isn’t any extra space around it. If you have a frame with text written on it, you will also have to ensure you have placed the puzzle in the right direction.

Once you have placed the puzzle into the frame, place the backing cover and lock it in place. Depending on whether your frame has a hanging attachment or a stand to keep it on the table, you can display your completed jigsaw puzzle in any way you want. It would make for a beautiful addition to your bedroom, living room, or anywhere you want to display it.