Introduction: How to Glue and Mount a Puzzle for Display

Disclaimer- This Instructable includes the use of glues and an Exacto knife. Keep glues and knife out of children's reach. Avoid gluing unintended objects together and keep your fingers tucked in while cutting with the Exacto knife.

Introduction- Like many others, I enjoy putting together jigsaw puzzles especially on rainy days. After the puzzle is complete instead of breaking the puzzle back into a thousand pieces, I display my favorites around the house. By the end of this Instructable you will be able to glue and mount a puzzle for display around your home or office. This can be a fun and cheap way to change out the art work in your home on a regular basis.

Materials:

  • Completed puzzle
  • Spreader
  • Puzzle glue
  • Wax paper
  • Tape
  • White craft glue (any brand)
  • Exacto knife
  • Foam board

Step 1: Set Up

Start with a completed jigsaw puzzle on a flat surface. Pull and tear off two or three pieces of wax paper 4 inches longer than the length of the puzzle. Slightly overlap each of the pieces of wax paper and tape the pieces of wax paper together along the longest side. Carefully slide the puzzle onto the wax paper. Leave about a 2 inch border of wax paper around the entire puzzle, this will prevent glue from getting on your work surface.

Step 2: Glue Front

Pour a light amount of puzzle glue across the short end of the puzzle covering about a 6 inches section, working towards the opposite end. Using the spreader, distribute the puzzle glue evenly, ensuring that the glue covers the puzzle from edge to edge. Warning, be sure the edge pieces are covered well, but do not glue the puzzle to the wax paper. Repeat until the front of the puzzle is covered completely. Let glue dry according to directions on glue bottle or let dry longer if you apply a thick layer of glue.

Step 3: Glue Back

After drying is complete, gently lift the puzzle from the wax paper and turn it design side down on the wax paper.

Pour a light amount of puzzle glue across the short end of the puzzle covering about a 6 inches section, working towards the opposite end. Using the spreader, distribute the puzzle glue evenly, ensuring that the glue covers the puzzle from edge to edge. Warning, be sure the edge pieces are covered well, but do not glue the puzzle to the wax paper. Repeat until the front of the puzzle is covered completely. Let glue dry according to directions on glue bottle or let dry longer if you apply a thick layer of glue. If necessary, repeat any of the previous steps if you missed a piece.

Step 4: Prep Foam Board

After both sides of the puzzle are completely dry, loosen the puzzle from the wax paper and place it design side up on the foam board. Using the Exacto knife cut foam board to desired size using the puzzle edge as a guide. Place foam board to the side and put puzzle face down on wax paper. Note: Depending on the puzzle size, two form boards and multiple cuts may be needed.

Step 5: Mounting Glue

Using craft glue, drizzle a small bead of glue in stripes across the entire puzzle spacing the stripes about 1 inch apart.

Step 6: Foam Board Placement

Carefully line up the edges of the foam board to the puzzle. Then gently place the foam board on the glue not losing edge alignment. Press down to ensure connection and place heavy items such as books on the foam board. Let dry for 24 hours.

Step 7: Display Your Work

Use an item such as removable Velcro hangers to present your finished artwork.