Framing Your Finished Jigsaw Puzzle

Are you a jigsaw puzzle enthusiast? Do you love the challenge of solving (and completing) a 5,000-piece puzzle? Are you into tranquil and relaxing Norman Rockwell images or the frenetic energy and mystery-solving fun of Wasgij puzzles? Whatever type of puzzles you like, it is very gratifying to see your finished work on the wall for you and your friends to appreciate.

When you frame it and put it up on the wall, you also get a fascinating piece of wall art. What’s more, the picture frame will serve to protect your puzzle. The glass prevents pieces from falling off or the color being chipped off from the edges of the puzzle pieces.

What you need

To frame and preserve your finished jigsaw puzzle, you will need:

• Specialized puzzle glue. You need to decide whether you want to permanently affix the pieces or if you want to have the second (or third time) to break it apart and try to put it back together. If you are content with having completed the puzzle for the first time, you can glue the pieces together for a more secure framed artwork. Remember, this is not recommended for antique or high-value puzzles. Although this type of glue will also provide a unique sheen to the surface of the finished puzzle, this will mean that the value of the puzzle is significantly decreased.
• Wax paper. Or, wide Manila paper or newspapers will also do. However, wax paper has the added advantage of being “stick-resistant” once you start gluing the pieces. The wax paper will not stick to the sections of the puzzle where the glue has seeped right to the other side.
• An appropriate-sized frame with backing board
• Rolling pin
• Ruler
• Brush for the glue
• Cutter
• Matting board (Optional)

What to do.

• 1.When working with a puzzle, use a puzzle mat or a wide piece of board. Once the puzzle is completed, flip it over sheets of wax paper that have already been arranged and put in place. If necessary, reposition the puzzle (particularly the edges) so that all the pieces are securely locked in together. You can also use the rolling pin to do this.
• 2.Dip the brush into the pot of glue and apply it onto the puzzle, one section at a time. Allow some of the glue to ooze down into the cracks. Using the ruler, scrape the glue so that the entire surface is even. Add some glue to the edges of the puzzle as well.
• 3.Allow the glue to completely dry. Let the puzzle rest for some 24 hours. Within these 24 hours, you can also create a level surface by using a rolling pin over and over again.
• 4.Once the glue has dried, remove the wax paper.
• 5.Measure the width and length of finished puzzle.
• 6.Reflect this measurement into the backing board. Using a cutter, follow the measured dimensions to carefully cut out the exact shape of the puzzle. The entire piece should securely fit into the opening of this backing board. You can also cut a piece of matting board – this time the opening is a bit smaller than the backing board’s opening.
• 7.Glue the puzzle onto the backing board.
• 8.Layout the matting and the finished puzzle on the glazing, close up with the backing board and seal.

Voila! You have a framed puzzle display that is ready for hanging.