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How to make a personalized jigsaw puzzle

How to make a personalized jigsaw puzzle

This Instructable shows you how to make a personalized laser cut jigsaw puzzle using Ponoko. If you've never worked with a laser-cutter or have only used a vector art package once or twice before, then this guide is for you.

This Instructable follows the same structure as my previous Instructables on making a laser-cut lamp and jewelry but it a little more experience (or persistence ) is needed for the Inkscape stages. As long as you've got a computer that can run a vector software package you'll be able to achieve some very cool results.

If you prefer to skip the Instructable and just get making, feel free to download the .eps files I've already created.

Let me know how you get on!

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Step 1Stuff you'll need

$Stuff you\$

You'll only need a few things for this Instructable:

A steady hand
Inkscape
Ponoko Inkscape templates
Some double sided tape or glue at the end to assemble the backing board.

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16 comments

Nov 19, 2011. 6:34 AMwhisperonthewind says:

Windows Snipping Tool works well for this, and it's FAST. Just click it, and select the area you want, and save it as a jpg.

Nov 27, 2008. 1:01 PMwenpherd says:

where do i get a lazer cutter and how much would it cost

Jul 19, 2008. 7:22 PMapi says:

(removed by author or community request)

Jul 22, 2008. 3:14 PMdanemery (author) says:

You can use Ponoko from anywhere in the world.

Jun 21, 2008. 2:06 AMhelifino says:

If you're going to do a map, there's an easier way than tracing. Find your area in openstreetmap and, in the export tab, choose "OpenStreetMap XML Data". Then use Osmarender (xsl transform) or or/p (perl transform) to generate an svg (it even makes a nice border). Then open the resulting SVG directly in inkscape and change the colors.

Jun 21, 2008. 3:20 PMdanemery (author) says:

Wow. Thanks for the tip. I'm sure that will make generating the map much easier.

Jun 19, 2008. 12:17 PMzjharva says:

Mac Users: In iphoto, open the pdf of the map and click file: export. Then choose jpeg. I found this out after trying for 10 minutes to import a pdf in to inkscape. Should of read step 9!

Apr 2, 2008. 6:30 PMbadweasel says:

Can I ask what the total cost was (not including shipping)?

Apr 3, 2008. 3:24 AMsolo.card says:

You can just about make it out on Step 75 -- $72.

Apr 2, 2008. 12:15 PMsolo.card says:

Nice instructable, I was going to use Ponoko for a small project myself, but the shipping charges are just too high to make it worthwhile. One day, maybe!

Apr 2, 2008. 2:27 PMjdlewis says:

Hey solo.card - I work at Ponoko. I was wondering if you've checked out our shipping costs lately. We were able to lower our shipping costs, especially for US-based users (assuming that's where you are...) thanks to our new manufacturing node in San Fran.

Apr 2, 2008. 3:31 PMsolo.card says:

Hi, yeah I had a look on the site today for the project I had in mind. Unfortunately, I am based in the UK, so I was looking at $60 (ish) charges, which was about the same (possibly a little more) than the actual cost of the materials, etc. But If/When you get more locations in Europe, I shall be on board!