Puzzle glue Paintbrush (or sponge) Parchment paper (or wax paper) Any clear adhesive, like shellac or decoupage glue, can be used to glue your puzzle together, though some glues might leave a cloudy finish or not glue as firmly as puzzle glue. [1] X Research source
The parchment paper you lay beneath your puzzle should extend several inches beyond its outer edges. If you don’t have parchment paper handy, you could also use wax paper to prevent puzzle pieces from sticking to your work surface.
At this point, your puzzle should be facing picture side up atop your parchment (or wax) paper, and your paper should extend a few inches beyond the outer edges of the puzzle. [3] X Research source Make sure that the surface is completely dry before you start applying any glue.
Working from the center of the puzzle out will also help prevent you from using too much glue, which can cause unevenness in the glue. [4] X Research source Try to use the minimal amount of glue that you need for your project. This will help the glue dry faster.
Adding too much glue to your puzzle can sometimes cause the pieces to curl when the glue is dried. [5] X Research source Some brands of puzzle glue come with a plastic glue spreader that you can use to distribute your glue over the surface of your puzzle. If you find that a brush or a sponge doesn’t work well for spreading glue and if your puzzle glue did not come with a spreader, you may be able to use a plastic spatula to distribute the glue more quickly. However, dried glue can be difficult to remove from your spatula once you are finished.
If you are using a plastic spreader/spatula, you may be able to remove extra glue by scooping it up and wiping it onto a piece of paper towel.
You should check the label instructions for your glue to determine the amount of time your glue needs to dry. [7] X Research source Using a fan, hair dryer, or heat gun can help the glue dry faster.
Glue can often seep between the spaces between puzzle pieces. When this happens, gently peel the puzzle free of the wax paper before flipping it. For especially stubborn glue, you might need to use a firm plastic edge, like a spatula, to break the bond between the puzzle and the parchment paper. Use firm but gentle pressure when doing this. After you flip your puzzle, you should reinsert parchment paper beneath it to prevent glue from sticking pieces to your work surface.
You should add glue to your puzzle a little bit at a time to prevent wasting glue and to ensure a thin, even coating over the pieces.
Tape the pieces together to make a folder. Slide the glued puzzle onto a piece of corrugated cardboard for stability. The puzzle can be moved safely with a folder. If the puzzle is bent, the glue can crack or cause the puzzle to warp. A rigid backing will prevent this from happening.
Simply take your puzzle glue and apply a moderate amount to the back of your puzzle. Lay your glued puzzle onto the cardboard. Allow the glue to dry. Then take a utility knife and cut the excess cardboard free from your puzzle. Do this by cutting with your utility knife around the border of the puzzle.
There are many kinds of foam board you might use to mount your puzzle. These are often available at hobby stores, craft stores, or picture framing stores. If you are unsure if the foam board you selected for mounting your puzzle is thin/sturdy enough, the service representative of your local hobby/craft store or picture framing store should be able to offer advice. [13] X Research source
If you find a picture frame that is not exactly the same size as your puzzle, then the puzzle, if too big, will need to be cut down with a sharp utility knife. Start the cut by lightly scoring the top layer of the puzzle. Draw the knife in the same line several times until you have cut through the puzzle. If the puzzle is too small for the frame, you can choose a backing board that fits the frame and center the puzzle on it. If you want the frame to fit exactly, you may need to build a frame or find a picture framing shop to help you.
Most frames come with catches or tabs at the back that can be used to either hold the puzzle in place or to sandwich the puzzle between the glass of the frame and a piece of cardboard. If you’re trying to save money, you may be able to find a suitable, inexpensive frame at a secondhand store and re-purpose the frame for your puzzle. That is why you need to mount the puzzle after you have chosen the frame, so that you can make the backing board the right size to fit the frame. A picture framing store can cut a frame to the precise size you need.
