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A jigsaw puzzle is a board game with different images, themes, and designs, making it challenging and fascinating to play. Most of these images are categorized into different stages based on individuals’ abilities and level of critical thinking.
However, some images and designs are constantly used, making them common and usual for puzzle enthusiasts. Now, the question is, what if you design a unique jigsaw puzzle that fits your taste and interest?
Using your photos, you can create your puzzle, frame it, and use it to decorate your room or share it with family and friends. This article will provide all information about custom puzzles, including step by step guide on how to design custom puzzles, puzzles online services, and other detailed information.
Why Custom/Personalized Puzzle?
Statistically, most puzzle enthusiasts are now designing personalized puzzles instead of getting general-designed company puzzles. Why do people find interest in custom puzzles compared to general puzzles? Below are a few reasons:
- Custom puzzle allows users to choose the images, themes, or design that interest them.
- It helps users to keep memories.
- A custom puzzle is perfect for gifting, especially birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and other occasions.
- Family custom puzzles unite the family bond by enhancing teamwork, love, and problem-solving skills.
- Custom puzzles can be used for room decoration after being framed.
- Some businesses use custom puzzles to create their company’s design, logo, and products for marketing purposes.
DIY Puzzle Creation
You can do puzzles with some materials besides consulting puzzle companies or any online puzzle services. Although the process of making puzzles differ depending on the materials and tools you want to use, below are step-by-step process on how to make DIY puzzles using cardboard or chipboard:
#Step 1: Choose Your Image
The first step is to select the image you want for the puzzle. If the image is a hard copy, you can scan the idea to create the size you want for the unknown. On the other hand, if you’re a good artist or wish to hire one, the image can be drawn by hand. Although, the drawing needs to be perfect with perfect materials and painting.
Moreover, if you’re not using the personal and family images you already have, you can design an image on your computer and then print it off like a photograph. Some ideas you can create include logos, business brands, pet images, and other graphics.
#Step 2: Gather Your Tools
You have to gather all the tools and materials you want for the puzzle before starting the creation. This will help manage time and enhance the easy accessibility of all your needs during the process.
However, some of the significant tools and materials you will need include liquid craft or spray glue, pencils, a ruler, scissors, chipboard, or cardboard, to mention a few. After all your tools are available, you can move to the next stage.
#Step 3: Cut The Chipboard Or Cardboard
You can start the work by cutting the chipboard or cardboard to the size of the puzzles. The size of the board must be aligned to the image printed. You can use a saw to make this possible, but you must be skillful in cutting it.
Moreover, make sure the board used is clean and flat. You can also consider the thickness of the panel because that determines the quality of the puzzle after completion.
#Step 4: Attach Your Image
After the chipboard or cardboard has been cut to a suitable size, you can attach the image. The first thing to do is to place the cardboard on a sheet of wax to protect the other surface and apply glue on the board’s surface.
Ensure the glue is not too much, and use a roller to press the image on the board to remove bubbles. Allow the glue to dry; that may take some time, depending on the type of glue you apply.
#Step 5: Trim The Border
If your puzzle image is smaller than the cardboard used, you have to trim the board to the size of the picture. You can do this using scissors or a hobby knife if the cardboard is thick. However, ensure you’re careful while cutting it so it won’t affect the image.
#Step 6: Create A Grid
It’s time to use your pencil and ruler. All you have to do is flip over the puzzle and turn the image side down; place a sheet of wax underneath to protect the image from scratching. Afterward, you can draw a pencil grip pattern on the cardboard. However, ensure the grip pattern is straight and equal squares. This is possible if you measure them in inches.
#Step 7: Draw The Template
You can proceed with the template after the pattern grip has been successfully drawn. You must add ball and socket shapes to each square to do this. Also, you can use inverted and protruding triangles and shapes. Lastly, you can get a pre-drawn puzzle template to avoid drawing with your hand and glue it to the back of your puzzle.
#Step 8: Cut Out The Pieces
Following the puzzle pieces template at the back side of the image, you can now cut with sharp scissors. Watch your hands while cutting so you won’t wound yourself with the scissors.
After cutting, you can use an eraser to remove the reflective pencil marks or columns. Then, it’s time to start using your puzzle.
Materials And Tools For DIY Puzzle Making
For a compelling and quality DIY puzzle to become a reality, there is a need to employ some crucial tools and materials. Here are some of the tools and materials to use:
- A Printed Image Or Design: You can choose the image, artwork, or design you want. It can be your personal photo or pet image. You have to have this image printed out.
- Black Puzzle: If you want to pass the stress of drawing grip and template, you can order a blank puzzle and attach your image.
- Puzzle Adhesive Or Glue: After you have perfectly assembled your puzzle, you can use puzzle adhesive to secure the pieces so they won’t fall apart.
- Wax Paper: Wax paper is mainly used to protect the surface of your puzzle from scratching and the pieces from glue and adhesive residues.
- Scissors: Scissors are primarily used to trim the printed image and cardboard if it’s not too thick.
- Rolling Pin: This prevents bubbles after applying glue or adhesive.
Why Choose Our Factory For Your Customized Jigsaw Puzzles?
Jaybay Games remains one of the leading jigsaw puzzle manufacturers in China. This is possible as a result of its outstanding qualities and reputation. However, you might be curious why you should entrust your puzzle production to Jabay’s care. Below are exceptional features that make Jabay perfect for you:
Quality Assurance
To have a perfect and enjoyable customized jigsaw puzzle, there is a need to consider the quality of the mystery. Therefore, Jabay Crafts prioritizes an adequate supply of quality products to their customers. With its motto stating “Quality first, service utmost,” you can get the best quality products from them.
Moreover, their quality products are affordable, and they have a strict management system based on ISO 9001 to control the whole quality process. Besides, they ensure that all their materials comply with CPSIA, ASTM F963, EN-71, and others.
Customer Satisfaction
One of the critical qualities of a good business is the ability to put a smile on the face of its customers. As a result, Jabay Crafts Industry holds on to this fact to secure its reputation. As a customer of Jabay, your service will be prioritized.
Moreover, with a focus on prioritizing the satisfaction of its customers, Jabay was able to secure 5-star reviews from its customers. Most of their customers affirm their sincerity and commitment to offering quick feedback. Also, their customer service is available 24/7, making it convenient for you to reach out to them anytime.
Efficient Production Process
With the help of a professional team, including engineers, operators, sales and distribution managers, and others, Jabay ensures the smooth running of its production process. As mentioned above, the company’s production process has a strict management system based on ISO 9001 that provides control for quality products.
Moreover, Jabay owns the complete production process using advanced machines, including automatic punching machines, printing machines, cutting machines, box assembly automatic machines, shrink wrap playing cards machines, etc.
Good Reputation
Combining the features mentioned earlier, Jabay’s reputation is outstanding. The company currently supplies several countries, including the USA, Canada, and Australia.
Moreover, most of its customers give remarkable feedback after using its products. Some of them are explicitly explained below.
Jabay Customers’ Reviews And Testimonials
As mentioned above, Jabay works towards satisfying its customers through its services, quality products, on-time delivery, and quick response, to mention just a few. However, below are a few of its customer’s reviews and testimonials.
- John Brown-Product Manager
John gave remarkable feedback with 5-star reviews after ordering a bulk product from Jabay. The study goes as this: “Jabay team offer quick feedback on sampling, which greatly shortens the samples confirmation and bulk production time.”
- Tim-Logistic dept.Director
Another 5-star review comes from Tito, a committed customer of Jabay. They state their study thus: “We usually get shipment shipped as scheduled. The team’s service offers a lot of work to make everything go smoothly, and we will continue to work together.”
- Anna-Sourcing director
Another customer who gives feedback on Jabay’s service is Anna. She portrayed her input by saying, “Once we meet the problem while creating a new product, Jabay staff can offer available solutions for them. I feel relaxed to work with the team. They are reliable and trustable for customers.”
With these outstanding reviews, Jabay Crafts remains a superb and reliable customized puzzles manufacturing company to which you can entrust your products.
How Online Custom Jigsaw Puzzle Works
As mentioned above, there are several online custom puzzles where you can get or design your personalized puzzle with your photo or preferred images.
However, while these platforms have individual peculiarities and differences, they share some things in common, one of which is the process of designing your puzzle. Below is a step-by-step process on how to create a custom puzzle online:
#Step 1: Visit The Website
You have to visit the website of your interest and select any of their “Custom Puzzles” option. Before you start to design, you can read more about the company from its About Us page and look for any guidelines, if any, made available.
#Step 2: Select Your Puzzle Size
At this point, you have to choose the jigsaw puzzle size, pieces, and layout you want. The size of the puzzle to select depends on the list made available by the platform and your interest. However, if you want to customize the puzzle for your kids, it’s preferable to choose a small-sized mystery while you pick a large size for the whole family.
#Step 3: Upload Your Photo
Firstly, you have to pick the image you want to edit. Make sure you go through the list very well to choose the one that interests and fits your intention. Afterward, you can upload the image and add text, fonts, color, and others to perfect the design.
#Step 4: Preview Your Design
Most people need to check the design properly before placing an order and end up receiving what they weren’t expecting. Therefore, preview the plan for correction or any necessary adjustments before placing an order to escape this predicament.
#Step 5: Place Your Order
After you have correctly checked the design and are satisfied, you can place your order for direct shipping. The company will handle the production and ship the puzzles directly to you. However, the delivery time depends on the company you choose.
Best Occasions To Gift Custom Puzzles
You may be thinking of gifting custom puzzles for your upcoming occasion and unsure if they fit perfectly. Below is a list of circumstances in which custom puzzles look presentable and perfect:
- Birthdays
You can use a custom puzzle as a birthday gift for family and friends. You may want to organize a birthday party where you will invite your friends, colleagues, family, and other relatives, so gifting them a custom puzzle isn’t a bad idea. At least you can make the puzzle from your favorite photo while you add your age to it. Also, the puzzles can serve as room decor.
- Anniversaries
A custom puzzle is also suitable for anniversaries. Maybe you want to celebrate the beautiful years of staying together with your spouse and think of gifting custom puzzles with your wedding or memorable picture on it; the truth is, you guessed right. Getting a custom puzzle for an anniversary is a good idea, as it is a perfect gift for reference purposes.
Moreover, Custom Puzzle can also be used for the company’s anniversary, as it also serves to introduce the company’s brand to prospective customers.
- Graduations
You can commemorate your graduation ceremony by gifting custom puzzles to family and friends. The mystery will feature your graduation picture and other important text you want to include. The truth is that giving custom puzzles for graduation serves as a gift that can be cherished for years.
- Mother’s or Father’s Day
You can show love to your mother or father by getting a custom puzzle for them on Mother’s or Father’s Day. The image can feature a family picture or unique ideas peculiar to them.
- Christmas
You can design a custom puzzle for the Christmas holiday or any other holiday peculiar to you. You must pick an image that resonates with the holiday spirit or mood and turn it into a unique and personal gift.
- Wedding
Besides gifting common gifts like a diary, calendar, and others at your wedding ceremony, why can’t you give custom puzzles featuring your wedding picture? People can have this for an extended period, and it also serves as a way of keeping memory.
Age-Appropriate Puzzle Sizes And Pieces
Considering age differences matters in custom puzzle creation. You can’t compare the puzzles made for adults to those made for kids in sizes and pieces. Therefore, to create custom gift puzzles, consider the age range of those you want to gift. Here are categories of puzzle sizes based on age difference:
Kids:
Large Floor Puzzles: These kinds of puzzles are suitable for kids between the ages of 3 to 9 years. They are always large and sturdy, commonly between 24 to 48 pieces or more.
Also, their size varies based on the images used. For example, 24pcs puzzles are primarily in the size range of 24″ X36″. Moreover, most of these puzzles are floor puzzles with no fixed length.
Preschool Puzzles: As the name implies, preschool puzzles are puzzles made to enlighten kids on the alphabet, numbers, signs, and others before school. Its pieces mostly range between 12 to 36, and it’s suitable for kids between 2 to 5 years.
These two puzzles are more straightforward, quicker, and suitable for young children to practice their ability to recognize numbers, colors, and shapes.
Teens:
Medium-Sizes Jigsaw Puzzles: These puzzles are primarily suitable for teens between 13 and 19 years old. The pieces count for medium size puzzle range between 100 to 500 pieces, which are always challenging for teens.
3D Puzzles: Teens prefer 3D puzzles to other types because of their complexity. Some found it more challenging and exciting to play. Therefore, if your occasion is a gathering of more teenagers, make customized 3D puzzles a gift.
Moreover, compared to regular puzzles, 3D puzzles are more challenging to solve. Also, the Christmas tree is a common theme in design. Children can hang small decorations with ribbons on this 3D tree.
Adults:
Standard jigsaw puzzles: Most adults’ mysteries fall into this category. It’s more challenging and mainly in the range of 500,1000 and 1500 pieces.
However, the standard size is usually 16X24″, 20″ X20″,20X27″,18″ X24″,24″ X36″ and so on.
Collector’s puzzles: These puzzles are for enthusiasts and experts. They’re more complex and challenging than standard puzzles. They are mostly 2,000 to 5,000 pieces and are perfect for completed works of art. In short, collector’s puzzles are for puzzle enthusiasts seeking a challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.How Do I Determine The Ideal Puzzle Size For My Skill Level?
To determine the ideal puzzle size that suits your level, you have to consider some factors. These factors are explicitly explained below:
- You have to consider your experience level. If you’re a beginner, you can choose a puzzle with nothing more than 100-300 pieces, while an experienced puzzler can handle any details more than that.
- You have to consider your age and cognitive ability also. If you’re an adult, you can go for complex puzzles, while kids are advised to choose simple ones.
- You must also consider the available time you can dedicate to puzzle-solving. If you have enough time, you can go for large-size puzzles, but if not, a more minor mystery is an option.
2.Are There Any Special Recommendations For Preserving And Storing Custom Puzzles?
Absolutely yes. Suppose you want your custom puzzle to last longer. In that case, you must keep to preservation and storing tips, including using a puzzle mat or roll-up mat, framing your puzzle, keeping the mystery in a cool and dry place, using plastic bags or containers to store your puzzle pieces, and more.
Conclusion
The custom puzzle is a puzzle that stimulates the feeling of uniqueness, reminiscence, and love. Most people prefer it because it helps them to express themselves, keep memories, and understand their loved ones better.
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned enthusiast, the journey of piecing together a masterpiece is one of immense satisfaction.
If you have an idea or new design in mind, you can contact us; let’s start designing your puzzles and put a smile on your face.
