Framing a Jigsaw Puzzle With or Without Glue

Using glue is best if…

You want a permanent display

If you’ve finished your puzzle and you’re sure you’ll never want to do it again, using glue is a permanent solution. It locks all the pieces together and stops everything from shifting in the frame. 

You’re putting a big puzzle on the wall

Big puzzles (anything with 1,000 pieces or more) especially benefit from glue because they’re heavier and more prone to sagging and splitting. Using glue keeps everything perfectly aligned and makes hanging easier and safer. 

You have a loose-fitting frame

If your frame doesn’t clamp the puzzle tightly between the backing board and the glass, gluing it will help keep everything together and stop it from moving in the frame. 

The puzzle is of relatively low value

Once you’ve glued a puzzle, there’s no going back. So if the puzzle is a limited edition or collectable, or it has particular sentimental value, not using glue keeps your options open.

Avoid glue if…

You might want to take the puzzle apart

You might feel like you’ll never want to rebuild your puzzle now, but might you fancy another go in a year or so? Might you want to pass it on to a fellow puzzler? If you’re not sure, framing without glue keeps your options open. 

You have a collectable, valuable or wooden puzzle

If you have a collectable or valuable puzzle, keeping it unglued means you can always take it apart and sell it on at a later date. And, while it is sometimes possible to glue a wooden puzzle, it’s rarely a great idea. 

You’re an avid puzzler with lots to display

If you’re regularly completing new puzzles and you like to rotate the ones you have on display, gluing is probably best avoided. That means you can take your puzzle apart when you fancy a change, and slot a new puzzle into the frame.

Framing a jigsaw puzzle with glass and backing board

The simplest, cleanest way to frame your puzzle without glue is to sandwich it between the backing board and the glass of the frame, and let the pressure keep it in place. This method works really well for smaller puzzles, and it’s super easy to take your jigsaw out again. But bigger puzzles tend to flex more, and can easily fall apart in the frame. You’ll also need a frame that’s exactly the right size, and it’s tricky (though not impossible) to use a mount. 

• Step 1: Complete your puzzle on a board

Of course, the first step is to finish your puzzle. But it’s helpful if you finish it on a board. If it’s the backing board from the frame you want to use, even better. Having your puzzle on a board from the start will minimise how much you need to move it around later on.

Before you start the process, make sure your puzzle is fully flat, with no pieces sticking up. You could use a rolling pin to gently smooth it down, or pop something heavy on top for a few hours.

• Step 2: Choose your frame

Not just any frame will do! You need one where the internal dimensions match the size of your puzzle exactly. Because you’re not using any adhesive, the jigsaw will drop to the bottom of the frame. If the sizes are different, you’ll get an ugly gap at the top. The frame also needs to have no gap between the backing board and the glass, so it sandwiches your puzzle in place.

• Step 3: Disassemble the frame

Unclip the little metal clasps on the back of the frame and lift out the backing board. There will be a few of them around the frame, and they just fold back. Then put the board somewhere safe but in easy reach.  If you’ve done the puzzle on the backing board from the frame, you can ignore this step.

• Step 4: Get the glass ready

Lift the glass or perspex out of the frame. If it has a protective film covering, remove it now. Make sure your hands are clean, and if you have soft, lint-free gloves, it’s worth wearing them to avoid getting fingerprints on the glass. Place the glass over your puzzle.

• Step 5: Put the puzzle and the glass back in the frame

This is the trickiest step, so plan ahead and take your time. You need to put the glass over the top of your puzzle, then flip the whole lot over and put it into the frame with the glass facing outwards.

If your puzzle is already on the backing board from the frame, it’s much easier. You can sandwich it between the glass and the board and flip it over. If you’ve put the jigsaw together on a different board, you can either slide it onto the backing board first, or flip it onto the glass then add the backing board once it’s in the frame.

• Clamp it all back together

Once it’s all in the frame, all you need to do is close the little metal clasps over the backing board, and you’re good to go. And when you’re ready for a change, all you have to do is take the frame apart and pop another puzzle in. Just be careful not to lose any pieces when you do!

Framing a puzzle with tape or adhesive puzzle sheets

If you want to keep your framing cheap and simple, but you want something to hold your puzzle together a bit better, then you could use tape or adhesive sheets on the back. You don’t need any special equipment for this - paper tape or masking tape that you have already will do fine - and it’ll keep your jigsaw together much better. 

If you want to be a little more professional then you can use adhesive puzzle sheets. It works in exactly the same way, but it’s quicker to apply and can give a slightly better result.

• Step 1: Complete your puzzle on a board

As with all the other methods, framing your jigsaw puzzle with tape or adhesive sheets is much easier if you complete it on a board. With this method, it doesn’t matter whether it’s the frame backing board or not. Smooth your puzzle with a rolling pin to make sure no pieces are sticking up.

• Step 2: Choose your frame

Because your puzzle is held together with this method, you have a bit more choice with your frame. You could get one that’s just the right size, or you could choose one with a mount that sits between the glass and the board. These can be cut to size, which is handy if your jigsaw is an odd shape. The mount aperture needs to be slightly smaller than the size of the puzzle - allow 3 - 5mm on each edge.

• Step 3: Flip your puzzle

You need to tape or add the adhesive to the back of your jigsaw. The easiest way to do this is to sandwich it between two boards and flip it over. Then take the top board off and you’ll have access to the back of the puzzle.

• Step 4: Tape or add the adhesive sheets to your puzzle

Now, slowly and carefully, cover the back of your jigsaw with tape or adhesive sheets. What you use is up to you - masking tape or paper tape will come off easily later, but won’t hold as well. Parcel tape or duct tape will hold well but can be tricky to get off. Pick as wide a tape as you can find - 60 mm or so is good. Overlap the rows of tape, and get as close as you can to the edges of your puzzle. If you do go over you can trim using a craft knife, but it’s easier not to have to. The process is exactly the same with adhesive sheets, they’re just bigger!

• Step 5: Frame your puzzle

Now all you need to do is pop your frame apart and slot your puzzle in. If you’re using a mount, lay your jigsaw face-down on top of the mount (it should overlap by a few mm on each edge) and carefully tape it on.

If you want to keep it super simple and not use a frame, you can use double-sided tape to stick your puzzle to a board, then just mount that on the wall.

Choosing the right glue

The first thing you need to do is pick the right glue. The wrong glue can make your puzzle warp, cause staining or visible residues, and be a nightmare to apply. 

What makes a good puzzle glue?

You want a few things from your puzzle glue (beyond just being sticky, which most glues should cover at least to some degree). It should be: 

• Clear drying (you don’t want it to yellow, or to dry opaque) 

• Thin and easy to spread (you’re going to spread it all across your puzzle) 

• Non-toxic (you’ll probably be spreading it indoors, and toxic glues can damage your puzzles)

• Designed for paper and cardboard (glues designed for wood or other materials can damage your puzzle)

• Dry evenly to avoid warping (if it dries in patches, it can pull your puzzle in strange directions)

We’d recommend avoiding thick craft glues or wood glues. They’re probably the most common cause of ruined puzzles. 

What’s the best kind of glue to use for puzzles?

If you want to get the best result easily, choose a puzzle specific glue. Ravensburger puzzle conserver glue is great, but there are brilliant options from companies like Mod Podge too. Puzzle glues are designed to be exactly the right consistency for puzzles, they spread easily, dry clear and flexible and often work as a sealant too. They’re not expensive, either.

If you really can’t use puzzle glue, then clear PVA glue is the next best option. You’ll need to dilute it with water to get the right consistency. Different people recommend different ratios, but we’d suggest trying a 50/50 mix and experimenting from there. You can always try it on a smaller puzzle that you’re not so bothered about first.

Matte or gloss?

Some puzzle glues give you the choice of matte or gloss finish. Which you prefer is entirely up to you. A gloss finish can give your puzzle a lovely shine, but if it’s going behind glass, or it’ll be hung somewhere with a lot of glare, it might make it hard to see. Matte can look duller, but it can also be easier to see the detail of the image.

If your puzzle will be behind glass, or in somewhere with lots of bright light, matte is probably the best option. If you’re mounting it without glass, gloss could give it an extra sheen.

Framing your jigsaw puzzle with glue

Having a good workspace is vital when you’re framing your jigsaw puzzle with glue. You’ll need a bigger space than the puzzle, and it needs to be super-clean and dust free. The last thing you want is bits of dust sticking to the glue as you spread it.

• Step 1: Complete your puzzle on wax paper

As with any other method, having your puzzle on a board and ready to go makes the whole process much easier. But if you’re gluing your puzzle, you need to go one step further. Of course, you don’t want it to stick to the board, so you need to put down some sheets of wax paper (plastic wrap will work too) before you start gluing.

If you decide partway through the process that you want to glue your puzzle, or it’s a bit awkward to complete it on the wax paper, then you’ll need to slide it on once it’s finished. If it’s on a board, it should be fairly straightforward to slide it off onto the wax paper. Just be careful and don’t rush, and you should be fine.

The wax paper needs to be wider than the puzzle in every direction, to give you a bit of room for overspill, so make sure it’s plenty big enough.

• Step 2: Paint on the glue

Please note that at this point, you apply the glue to the front of your jigsaw. Get your glue and a paintbrush or foam spreader  - something around 25 mm wide is probably about right - and paint a moderate amount of glue onto the puzzle. If you’re using Ravensburger glue, it comes with a foam spreader built in.

What does moderate mean? Enough so there’s a good, even coverage all over, but not so much that you’re getting big dollops of glue.

Paint in even strokes, and all in one direction (either horizontally or vertically). Make sure you cover every piece, and that the glue goes into all the grooves between the pieces. Don’t worry if you go over a little bit at the edges - that’s what the wax paper is for.

Then wait for it to dry. You’ll need to check the bottle for exactly how long, but it’s usually two or three hours. If you’re not sure whether it’s dry, leave it for a bit longer. You could always start on another puzzle while you’re waiting.

Once you’re sure the glue is dry, give it another coat, but this time go in the opposite direction. So if you went horizontally last time, go vertically now. Make sure you get a nice, even covering and work the glue into the grooves like you did before.

Then, leave it to dry again, this time for at least twelve hours. Once it’s all set, you should be able to carefully pick your puzzle up in one piece.

• Step 3 (optional): Add tape or adhesive

If you want a real belt-and-braces approach, then you can flip the puzzle over at this point and add some painter's tape or adhesive puzzle sheets to the back. You shouldn’t need to do this if you’re careful, but if it’s a particularly big puzzle or you’re just cautious, it’ll hold things together even better.

• Step 4: Frame your puzzle

All that’s left to do now is open up your frame and pop your puzzle in. You’ll either need to flip it so it’s pointing face-down if you’re using a mount, then tape it in. Or, pop it directly onto the backing board and use the pressure between that and the glass to hold it in place.

You could even keep it super simple and just use double-sided tape to stick your puzzle to a backing board, and mount that directly.

1. Using too much glue

If you’re gluing your puzzle, it can be tempting to put lots of glue on. But actually, this is one of the worst things you can do. Too much glue can make your puzzle warp and curl up at the edges, it can leave visible streaks and cloudy patches, and it takes ages to dry. 

So when you’re gluing, make sure you use thin (but not too thin), even coats. If the glue starts to pool, you’re probably using too much. 

2. Using the wrong type of glue

We mentioned this above, but using the wrong type of glue can be a real disaster. It can make a proper mess of your puzzle, with no way to fix it. So, make sure you only ever use puzzle-specific glue or, at a push, diluted PVA. Anything else is a bad idea. 

3. Not letting the glue dry properly

Framing the puzzle before the glue has fully set can trap moisture, which can lead to a warped puzzle, shifting pieces and even mould growth. 

So, make sure you allow plenty of time for the glue to dry on a completely flat surface before you frame it. Most glues need between twelve and twenty-four hours to set, but we’d always err on the side of caution. 

4. Framing your puzzle without enough support

Whichever method you choose to frame your jigsaw, it needs support. Otherwise, over time, it can sag and start to fall apart - no matter how well you’ve glued it. So it’s important to use a rigid backing board. Attaching your puzzle to the backing board of a frame should be fine (we’d recommend double-sided tape), but if you just want to mount straight to the wall, you could use foam board or MDF. 

5. Using the wrong size frame

If your frame is too small, your puzzle won’t fit - or it’ll end up squished. If it’s too big, you’ll have ugly borders around the edges. Neither sounds great, right? So how do you avoid it? 

Well, the easiest thing to do is use a jigsaw-specific frame. These are designed specifically for puzzles, and they usually come sized for different puzzles. Of course, not all puzzles are all the same size, so you’ll need to check the dimensions on the puzzle box, or with a tape measure. 

If you’re determined to use a standard frame, the measurement you need to worry about is the aperture size, sometimes referred to as the photo size. That’ll tell you how much space there is for your puzzle in the frame. 

If you’re using a frame with a mount, then you’ll want a mount with an aperture that’s a little bit smaller than your puzzle. This lets you set the puzzle behind the mount. 

6.  Skipping the flattening step

Your puzzle might look flat, but even a slightly uneven puzzle can look like a real mess once it’s been glued and framed. So, use a rolling pin to flatten it out and make sure everything is perfectly even. You could also sandwich the puzzle between two boards, and pop something heavy - like books - on top. 

7. Taping the front of the puzzle

Puzzle sheets and tape are for the back of the puzzle, not the front. Taping the front can permanently damage the image. So make sure you only tape the back, and that you’re using the right kind of tape for the job. 

Once you’ve got your jigsaw all framed and ready to go, you need to decide where to put it. Most walls are fine, but there are a few things to consider when you’re choosing.

Temperature

Puzzles, frames, and glue all struggle with big temperature changes. Going from cold to hot, or vice versa, too quickly can cause glue to melt and frames and puzzles to warp. So, try and avoid putting your puzzle in places where the temperature changes quickly, like above radiators.

Humidity

High humidity levels can have a similar effect. So it’s probably a bad idea to put your puzzle in the bathroom, but think about where else humidity levels might be high, like kitchens and areas where you dry washing or put wet shoes.

Sunlight and UV

Over time, exposure to sunlight can cause your puzzle to fade - even if it’s behind glass. So avoid putting it where it will be in direct sunshine too often.

Now get framing! 

There’s not much that compares to the pleasure of completing a tricky jigsaw puzzle, but seeing it perfectly framed and on the wall comes pretty close. Take your time and follow our tips above, and you’ll have your first one done in no time. Then all that’s left to do is work out where you’re going to hang it… And to choose your next jigsaw puzzle!