Have you ever thought of making your own jigsaw puzzle? You can start with any photograph you want and come out with an unusual gift or fun conversation piece.

Steps

  1. 1
    Take the photo that you would like to make into a puzzle and blow it up to the size you want to make. A4 or A3 is recommended. You can do this with a normal photocopier or go through a photo processing store for a glossier print.
  2. 2
    Get a piece of thin cardboard (colored card) the size of your photo.
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  3. 3
    Using an acid-free glue, glue the photo to the card. Make sure you get it corner to corner. A paper cutter can clean edges so they are aligned.
  4. 4
    Let the glue dry thoroughly.
  5. 5
    Cut out shapes using a Stanley knife or X-Acto knife. It may be helpful for you to use a pencil to trace out shapes on the back of the puzzle before you begin cutting. You could do this freehand, or trace around jigsaw puzzle pieces from a commercial jigsaw puzzle.
  6. 6
    Jumble the puzzle pieces and hand them to a friend to solve.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    What if I didn't want to use cardboard?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Without cardboard, the puzzle pieces won't stay in their correct shapes. You could use an alternate backing though, like cardstock, but it won't be as stiff.
  • Question
    How do I make it have a nice finish/surface?
    Kitkattheactress
    Kitkattheactress
    Community Answer
    Using clear glue can work, although it is sticky (you can spread it with a knife) or you can buy different types of glossy cover.
  • Question
    I don't have any cardboard, nor do I have anything stiff. Is there anything else I can use?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you don't have anything stiff, try doing it on paper and then laminating it.
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Warnings

  • The blade may break on the knife. Always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes.
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  • Stanley knives have extremely sharp blades. Have an adult do the cutting for you.
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  • Never cut toward yourself. Always point the blade away from you, and away from any one standing near you.
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Things You'll Need

  • Cardboard
  • Stanley or X-Acto knife
  • Photo
  • Acid-free Glue

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 15 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 134,608 times.
94 votes - 83%
Co-authors: 15
Updated: August 17, 2022
Views: 134,608
Categories: Photo Craft Projects
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