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.

Comments

[Keiralewis]

Alternative glue options, like Puzzle Presto Peel & Stick by Buffalo Games & Puzzles or Eurographics Smart Puzzle Glue Sheets, should be used. These products are easy-apply adhesive sheets that can be applied to the back of the puzzle to hold it together in preparation for framing and hanging. Many puzzlers prefer using these options over liquid or powder glues as there is no sticky mess or drying time involved. Some puzzlers like to combine options and choose to apply a liquid glue to the front of the puzzle and adhesive sheets to the back. Checkout video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR7tu7oNErE

[linkthehero1988]

How did you use foam board for a shaped puzzle? What type of foam board are you using?

[silverwoman]

Why do you remove edge pieces and at what point do you put them back

[teleyk41]

what is a foam board?

[rabbitsfoot18]

I use these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006VRTZM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3NZRRM72RFDJH&psc=1

[rabbitsfoot18]

I have been using "3M 568 Positionable Mounting Adhesive" to mount my puzzle to foam board but that product is a little pricey so I am considering switching to using craft glue. Quick question:

What kind of craft glue do u recommend? Just plain old elmer's? I read some say water-based glue like Modge would warp the board.

Thanks!

[GeminiDolly]

How to display a shaped jigsaw puzzle?

[Pennystewart]

My puzzle is huge! 42 1/4 x 62 1/4. Any suggestions for flipping it without it falling apart?

[LentheZen]

I discovered foamboard to be great - however - using a water based glue like Modge for mattes causes the board to warp(moisture on one side causes the paper to shrink). Going with double stick tape now to attache the puzzle to the board.

[KarenR222]

If you apply coats of lacquer to the puzzle after following all of your recommended steps, do you think it would be safe to hang a few puzzles outside without them being damaged?

[DIY Hacks and How Tos]

Cool project. Another thing that you can use to press the puzzle is to turn a table upside down and set that on top of the puzzle. It helps to keep the pressure even.

[GreggH18]

That's a cool tip. hadn't thought of that!Thanks

[AcraT1]

Many of the steps have text descriptions that could be interpreted different ways. Using words like 'front' is not helpful. Does front mean the design side? Does it mean whichever side is facing up? Does it mean the side of the puzzle closest to you? There is no way to know.

I'm sorry but the description was not usable to me, I can't follow what the instructions mean.

[GreggH18]

i think by "front" of the puzzle they mean the side with the image on it. otherwise it would be hard to build the puzzle wouldn't it?

[GreggH18]

That is the cheapest way to hang a puzzle to use the foam board and velcro strips which i just discovered. Will the velcro strips ruin the paint. I rent and will want my deposit back when i move.

[SueA53]

I have been gluing puzzles together for years - they are starting to warp. I used the foam board yesterday on one of them and it came out beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this idea - will be gluing more today.

[ZombieWorkshop]

I'm gona make this someday, looks cool

[DIY Hacks and How Tos]

Cool project. Another thing that you can use to press the puzzle is to turn a table upside down and set that on top of the puzzle. It helps to keep the pressure even.