How do you glue jigsaw puzzles together?

Assemble the puzzle, and select the best type of glue for it. Apply the glue to the puzzle, and give it plenty of time to dry. Mount the dried, glued puzzle to a foam board or in a frame behind glass. Display the puzzle in a dry environment out of direct sunlight.

1. Choose a puzzle suitable for framing

   Select a puzzle that is a good size with good artwork. Avoid metallics or special finishes, as they make gluing the puzzle difficult.

2. Assemble the puzzle

   Be certain there are no missing pieces since that makes displaying them very difficult.

3. Transfer the puzzle to a plastic surface

   Assemble the puzzle directly onto thin plastic or wax paper if desired. Transfer the puzzle to such a surface if necessary. Do not leave the puzzle on the table or set it on newspaper or the puzzle may be damaged after it is glued when it is removed from the surface.

4. Select the correct type of glue

   There are several different puzzle glues available. Typically they can be found wherever puzzles are sold. Consider all the possibilities, and make certain to purchase enough to cover the entire puzzle with extra as well. Running out partway through the gluing process has bad results. If the puzzle does have a delicate surface, there are adhesive papers that can be stuck on the back of such puzzles.

5. Apply the glue carefully

   Too little glue causes the puzzle to fall apart after some time. Too much glue causes the puzzle pieces to swell and break. Apply as instructed using quality brushes or rollers.

6. Let the puzzle dry

   Allow the puzzle several hours to sit undisturbed while it dries. If it should bend while it is drying, applying glue on the back encourages it to straighten again. Apply a heavy weight over the entire surface of a completely dried puzzle that has curled or bent to straighten it again.

7. Mount the puzzle carefully

   Put the puzzle in a frame behind glass if possible. That protects it and also keeps it flat. If size or cost prevents that option, dry mount the puzzle on a foam board.

8. Display the puzzle

   Keep the puzzle out of direct sunlight since it causes fading. A damp environment is also bad for cardboard puzzles.