Puzzle enthusiasts often invest countless hours piecing together their puzzles, and it’s always a great satisfaction when the last piece is placed. After all that hard work, you might want to preserve your completed puzzle as a keepsake or even display it as a piece of art. In this article, we’ll discuss the steps you need to take to glue your finished puzzle and keep your masterpiece intact.

Materials You’ll Need:

1. Puzzle conserver (puzzle glue)

2. A sheet of wax paper or plastic wrap

3. A sponge or brush

4. A straightedge tool or ruler (optional)

5. A rolling pin (optional)

Step 1: Choose the right surface.

Find a flat surface large enough for your completed puzzle. Make sure the area is clean and dry. Place a sheet of wax paper or plastic wrap underneath the puzzle to protect your surface from any glue seepage.

Step 2: Prepare the puzzle and glue.

Carefully slide a sheet of wax paper or plastic wrap under the completed puzzle, making sure it’s evenly covered without any wrinkles. Shake the bottle of puzzle conserver well before opening it to ensure proper consistency.

Step 3: Apply the glue.

Use the sponge or brush provided with the glue (or use one from home) to apply an even layer of glue across the entire front side of your puzzle. Start from one end and work your way toward the other end covering all pieces in a thin layer of glue, paying special attention to any edge pieces that might lift up.

Step 4: Spread the glue evenly.

Using a straightedge tool or ruler, carefully spread the glue across the surface, making sure each piece is evenly coated and there are no large clumps of glue. Alternatively, you can use a rolling pin for this process of evenly distributing and pressing down on some areas with varying pressure.

Step 5: Allow the puzzle to dry.

Let your puzzle dry for the time recommended on the puzzle conserver bottle, generally between 1-3 hours. Make sure to keep the puzzle flat during this time and avoid touching it, as any movement could cause the pieces to come apart.

Step 6: Apply additional coats if necessary.

If your puzzle requires additional support or if any pieces remain loose after the first coat of glue dries, you may need to apply another coat or two. Repeat steps 3-5 until your puzzle is securely held together and moves as one solid piece.

Step 7: Trim and frame (optional).

Once your puzzle has dried completely, you can carefully trim any excess wax paper or plastic wrap from around its edges. If you wish, you can then mount or frame your glued puzzle just like any piece of art, displaying your hard work for all to enjoy.

And there you have it – a simple and effective method to glue a completed jigsaw puzzle so you can cherish it forever. Happy puzzling!