How to Preserve a Puzzle for Hanging

Co-authored by Diane Henkler

Last Updated: November 25, 2024 References

Completing a jigsaw puzzle requires dedication, patience, and attention to detail. It’s a worthy achievement to preserve as a beautiful addition to your wall decor. Whether you’ve completed your first or simply the latest in a long line of puzzle projects, congratulations! And if you haven’t yet started, but you just know this one’s going on the wall, we commend you for planning ahead. There are two common methods to begin preserving your puzzles: using a liquid puzzle glue or peel and stick puzzle savers. We’ll take you through each step-by-step so you can decide which is right for you, as well as how to secure your puzzle further with a foam backing board before you hang it.

How to Keep a Puzzle Together for Hanging

Flatten the surface of the puzzle with a rolling pin and then clean it with rubbing alcohol and water. Then, coat the surface with a thin, even layer of puzzle glue and let it dry. As an alternative, stick special puzzle adhesive to the back of your puzzle.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Puzzle Glue

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Move your completed puzzle onto wax paper. Create a barrier between the puzzle and your puzzling surface to protect it from glue. If you can, start assembling your puzzle on wax paper to avoid any difficulty with this step. If you’ve already completed it though, that’s no problem. Slide the paper under your puzzle so that there is a paper border around your puzzle: at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) on all sides.^{[1]
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- Carefully lift one corner of your puzzle and slide the paper under it. Continue to move the puzzle over the paper until the puzzle sits completely on wax paper. Depending on the size of your puzzle, you may need to use multiple sheets of wax paper. If you do, overlap them under your puzzle so no glue can leak through.^{[2]
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Make sure that all your pieces fit together correctly so there are no issues when you glue them in place.^{[3]
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Clean your puzzle. To help your puzzle look its best on display, clean it before you glue. Mix a small amount of rubbing alcohol with water. Dip a cloth into your mixture just enough to lightly dampen it, and gently clean the surface of the pieces.^{[4]
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- Allow the water and alcohol a few minutes to fully evaporate.
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Apply puzzle glue. Start by pouring a small amount of puzzle glue onto the front of the puzzle and spreading it evenly. You can use a piece of cardboard, an expired payment card, or a foam brush^{[5]
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- Continue pouring and spreading until all pieces have glue between them. Don’t leave excess glue unspread on the surface of pieces. ^{[6]
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- Coat the edges of the puzzle as well.^{[7]
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  Research source}It is okay if some glue goes onto the wax paper, but a large amount in this area may make the puzzle stick to the wax paper, so quickly wipe it away with a wet paper towel, doing your best to avoid touching the rest of the puzzle.^{[8]
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Depending on the product, drying times will vary. Err on the side of caution and wait overnight to ensure the puzzle dries fully.^{[9]
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Sometimes after you glue the front, the edges will curl. Don’t worry! Carefully flip the puzzle and apply glue to the back side. Once again, wait several hours to allow the puzzle to dry before flipping it back.^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Peel and Stick Puzzle Savers

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Purchase specialized puzzle hanging sheets. If you want to avoid using glue, you can preserve your puzzle using a specialized puzzle hanging product, like Puzzle Presto Peel and Stick Puzzle Saver.
- Puzzle glues typically apply a finish to the puzzle, which is one reason why some puzzlers prefer alternative methods. It can also be messy and damage the puzzle if not applied carefully.^{[11]
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Flip your puzzle. Apply your adhesive strips to the back of the puzzle. In order to access the back of the puzzle, place it between two flat objects like sheets of cardboard. You can slide the puzzle onto one sheet, then place the other on top. Securing the sheets and puzzle together, flip them over quickly.
- You can use clips to keep the sheets together tightly or ask for help holding it, which is an especially good idea with larger puzzles!^{[12]
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Use your rolling pin to ensure that the puzzle is completely flat and all the pieces fit together correctly.^{[13]
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Peel the back of the puzzle saver sheets to expose the adhesive, and then press them firmly onto the back of the puzzle, overlapping each sheet slightly, and using as many strips as necessary to cover the entire puzzle. Cut off any excess if necessary.^{[14]
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Roll across the back of the puzzle to help the puzzle saver sheets adhere to the pieces. ^{[15]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Adding Foam Backing

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Size the backing board to the puzzle. Once you have preserved your puzzle with glue or puzzle saver sheets, mounting it to a foam backing board provides more support to protect your beautiful puzzle. If you are going to hang the puzzle without a frame, cut the board so it is just slightly smaller than the puzzle^{[16]
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- Use a tape measure to determine the length and width of the puzzle, and then use the tape measure to mark those dimensions on the backing.^{[17]
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- Place the glued puzzle on the backing board and draw an outline around it. Remove the puzzle and use the drawn lines to guide your cuts. ^{[18]
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Once you’ve outlined, cautiously cut the board using a hobby knife, using a ruler for clean lines.^{[19]
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Apply adhesive to the backing. Using a spray adhesive, spray either on the back of the puzzle or on the backing board and then quickly and firmly place the board onto the back of the puzzle.^{[20]
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- You can also use a puzzle glue if you prefer, spreading it across the entire surface.
- If you do use a spray adhesive, cover your work surface well beyond the edges of the board or puzzle.^{[22]
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Place heavy household items like books to distribute weight across the backing board. Once the adhesive has dried, your puzzle will be ready to hang!^{[23]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How do I frame a puzzle piece?

Diane Henkler
Crafting and Home DIY Specialist
Diane Henkler is a Crafting and Home DIY Specialist based in Lexington, South Carolina. She is the owner and creator of InMyOwnStyle.com, a crafting, DIY, and home design blog. She started her blog in 2009, and has now been blogging about affordable decorating, creative DIYs, and lifestyle tips for 15 years. Her career background was in retail display curation, which led her into the world of DIY decorating and home design. In her blog, she features pieces on decorating inspiration, seasonal holiday decor projects, organization strategies, room makeover guides, painting tutorials, furniture restoration tips, and more. Diane’s blog demonstrates how decorating a home does not have to be hard, expensive or time consuming. Through her posts, she shares decorating advice, ideas, project how-to’s, and more, furthering her mission to help her readers create beautiful homes, especially on a budget. She also creates tutorials and educates followers on her social media crafting channels.

Diane Henkler

Crafting and Home DIY Specialist

Expert Answer

First, you could start by sealing it so the pieces stay in place. You can use an acrylic sealer or puzzle glue, which you’ll find at most craft stores. To apply, brush or pour the glue over your completed puzzle and let it dry completely. Doing this keeps your puzzle intact and adds a protective finish. Then, choose a frame that will fit your puzzle’s dimensions. A great option is if the frame includes glass, because this will add an extra layer of protection for your puzzle. You can even finish it by placing a mat around the puzzle, and that would give you a really professional looking frame job for the puzzle.

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Tips

Although the glue may appear white when you spread it on the puzzle’s surface, a puzzle glue will dry clear.^{[24]
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If you’d like to display your puzzle temporarily and then take it apart again, you can display it without adhesive.

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Warnings

Hanging a puzzle without additional support may not be as secure as a board or frame long-term. Be careful not to place it in a position that could encourage warping or other damage.

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When selecting a glue, look for a product that contains low moisture and is, if possible, acid-free—as this will help to protect the puzzle from damage. ^{[25]
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Apply puzzle glue slowly and spread it gently or you risk damaging the puzzle.^{[26]
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