Congratulations— you’ve mastered the art of the puzzle! You’ve conquered this test of patience, piece by piece, until the image came to life before your amazed eyes. You’re about to savor your victory, but wait… a dilemma arises… No special glue in sight to glue your jigsaw puzzle together and preserve your masterpiece? Fear not—we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeve, and even a homemade recipe to keep your puzzle intact. Get ready, and let’s get gluing!
The Best Glue is the One You Already Have!
What kind of glue should you use to glue a jigsaw puzzle without special puzzle glue? Good news—you’re spoiled for choice: liquid glue, Liquid glue, spray adhesive, powdered glue, gel glue, paper glue, cardboard gluer… There’s something for every situation and at every price point! So, which one should you choose to give your creation the care it deserves? Well, from a sustainability perspective, the best option is the glue you already have at home! Yes, we advocate for responsible consumption!
Well, maybe not your children's tube, you know, that stick that makes their notebook pages fly out at the slightest breeze? After all, you wouldn't want your carefully assembled pieces to make a grand artistic escape…
However, any reasonably strong glue will work just fine for gluing your puzzle. And to avoid risking damage to your beautiful work, we recommend turning the puzzle over and applying the glue to the back. Yes, you can do it—we believe in you! You may not be a dissectologist, but you’ve just put together hundreds of pieces like a pro! 👍🧩
👉 Related Reading: How Long Does It Take to Complete a Jigsaw Puzzle?
A Homemade Glue for Your Jigsaw Puzzle
Not a drop of glue in sight? Are you the minimalist type? Or perhaps you’re a fan of natural, eco-friendly products? No worries—we’ve got just what you need! As true DIY enthusiasts, we’ve put together a super simple recipe for you: it’s affordable, non-toxic, and best of all, right at your fingertips.
Open your cupboards, grab the flour and follow our magic homemade glue recipe for your puzzle :
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Pour ½ glass of water and 2 tablespoons of flour into a saucepan over low heat.
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Mix vigorously with a whisk to avoid any unwanted lumps.
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Gradually add ½ glass of water while stirring continuously.
- When the mixture thickens, put it in a bowl and let it cool completely.
And voilà, your artistic béchamel sauce is ready! Be careful, it's not a particularly strong adhesive: we recommend a frame for added safety!
How to Glue a Jigsaw Puzzle in 6 Steps
You want your puzzle to be more than just perfect, don't you? So don't overlook the importance of carefully check that every piece fits perfectly and press, press, press some more… Any suspicious movements? Do any pieces feel loose? Perfect! It's true that if it's a puzzle Jour Férié, they stay in place nicely…
If you've decided to apply the glue to the back of the puzzle, place your masterpiece between two sheets of stiff cardboard and turn it over. A little tip? Use rectangular plastic placemats!
And now, let's get down to business, because it's time for the long-awaited gluing process, with its 6 crucial steps:
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Carefully dust the surface of the puzzle to remove any dust or cardboard debris.
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Dip your brush in glue.
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Apply the glue along the joins between the pieces—otherwise, they may warp!
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Make sure to cover the entire area evenly.
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Let the puzzle dry for 24 hours.
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Stand back and admire your work!
Tips to Preserve a Puzzle Without Any Glue
Does the thought of getting glue all over your fingers make you cringe? Don’t worry! You can choose a frame and assemble the pieces directly onto the backing without gluing them. Check out the method from Laetitia, co-founder of Jour Férié—she’s sharing her tip with you!
And since we're always bursting with creativity, another option is to repurpose clear adhesive book-covering film. After measuring the required size, cut and cover the entire back surface. For a touch of perfection, use a plastic card to press firmly and smooth it out to eliminate any unwanted air bubbles.
And once everything is completely dry, what will you do with your artwork? If you want to proudly display it, follow our guide to displaying it! Otherwise, you can store it flat on a puzzle board. But let's face it, if you have one of our beautiful creations, like Falling Snow, it definitely deserves to be showcased!
👉 Related Reading: How Are Jigsaw Puzzles Made?
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