Not sure how to glue a puzzle together? Proper application and strong adhesive products are key to keeping a puzzle stuck permanently. In this post, I cover the best puzzle glue products, as well as, some helpful tips to properly preserve a puzzle for hanging and framing.
For the best adhesion, I’ve also included my recommended puzzle gluing products below. I only selected products I felt had the most value for the cost, so readers can glue and frame puzzles cheaply at home!
Got a finished puzzle ready for gluing? Let’s get started!
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How To Glue A Puzzle Together (Best Puzzle Glue Products)
Not sure what glue to use for puzzles? Luckily for us, there are numerous options to glue a finished puzzle together. For best results, I recommend using adhesive products intended for puzzles.
Best Puzzle Glue + Sheet Products
1. Select A Jigsaw Puzzle Glue Product
Not sure how to glue a puzzle together for framing? To get started, select a jigsaw puzzle glue!
There are many types of puzzle glue. Depending on your preferences, you can chose from liquid glues, adhesive sprays, and powder glues. For framing and long lasting results, I highly recommend using a liquid jigsaw puzzle glue.
Below, I selected the best puzzle glue options out there.
1. Jigsaw Puzzle Glue with Applicator
This puzzle glue from CraZArt is an effective product to cheaply preserve a puzzle for hanging. Not only is this product easy to apply on puzzles, but it also dries quickly and clear, making this the best puzzle glue for beginners and children.
This listing also comes with an applicator so don’t worry about purchasing one! If you are looking to glue together a large 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle, one bottle of this glue should do the trick.
2. PuzzleWorx Easy-On Applicator Puzzle Glue
This puzzle glue from PuzzleWorx is another awesome liquid puzzle glue option for your finished puzzle. Like the glue above, this product has an easy application process and dries quickly. This is an excellent glue for puzzle gluing newbies!
This listing is for a pack of two of puzzle glue and also comes with a glue scrapper. This jigsaw puzzle glue is STRONG so a little bit of glue goes a long way. Although the listing price is slightly more expensive than other liquid glue products from this list, you definitely get more bang for your buck.
If you aren’t sure what glue to use for your puzzle, I highly recommend using this product. You won’t regret it! If you are looking for a quality adhesive to glue and frame multiple jigsaw puzzles, try this out!
3. Mod Podge Puzzle Saver
For people who love crafts and DIY products, Mod Podge is the best puzzle glue and multipurpose sealer for almost all materials and surfaces! To achieve a strong seal on your jigsaw puzzle for framing, I recommend using the Mod Podge Puzzle Saver, a Mod Podge intended for preserving jigsaw puzzles.
To glue a puzzle together securely with this product, I recommend applying an additional second or third coat for best results. When you first apply Mod Podge onto your puzzle, expect it to go on white. Once it dries, it’ll give your puzzle a clear and matte finish.
The particular listing below doesn’t come with a brush or glue applicator, but you can add one on for a few extra bucks (any cheap foam brush will work also).
2. Don’t Want To Use Glue? Select A Jigsaw Puzzle Glue Sheet Instead
Liquid jigsaw puzzle glue is one of the best adhesives to preserve a puzzle for hanging. However, it can be a messy and requires some effort and patience. For people who want great results, but also want to skip the gluing process, I recommend using a jigsaw puzzle glue sheet as a puzzle glue alternative.
Depending on the puzzle glue sheet brand and product, you can find quality glue sheets around the same cost of puzzle glues. Glue sheets are a clever way to cheaply glue together a puzzle without the hassle of using actual glue!
Not sure if liquid puzzle glue or puzzle glue sheets are better for you? Here are the main differences:
- Puzzle glue sheets are much easier and quicker to apply. Depending on the product, simply slap on a puzzle glue sheet to the back of a finished jigsaw puzzle and you are done! No gluing or mess!
- Liquid puzzle glues are often applied to the surface of puzzles (sometimes on the back also). Hands down, liquid glues seal and preserve jigsaw puzzles better because they add an extra layer of protection over the surface of a finished puzzle. Some liquid adhesives will also help waterproof your puzzle, providing additional protection for precious jigsaw puzzles (puzzle glue sheets won’t).
Still interested in using puzzle glue sheets? Below, I’ve included two of the best puzzle glue sheet products with strong seals. Let’s get started!
1. Puzzle Presto! Peel & Stick Puzzle Saver
Not sure what glue sheet to use for puzzles? This Peel & Stick Puzzle Saver by Buffalo Games is one of the best puzzle glue sheet choice for beginners and youth.
This product comes with six adhesive sheets that can cover one 1000 piece puzzle or two 300 to 500 piece puzzle! The listing also comes with two self adhesive hangers (perfect for individuals who want to hang up their jigsaw puzzles without additional framing).
If you want to “glue” and hang a puzzle together quickly, mess-free, and cheaply, I recommend trying out this glue sheet by Buffalo Games.
2. No Stress, No Mess Puzzle Saver
How do you glue a puzzle together quickly and easily? Use a puzzle “glue” sheet! No Stress, No Mess Puzzle Saver is another awesome and effective puzzle adhesive sheet choice for puzzle lovers.
This is one of the best puzzle glue sheet products to adhere your finished jigsaw puzzles for framing. This listing comes with fourteen puzzle sheets (one box of sheets should be enough to cover a 1000 piece puzzle). For an added touch, this listing also comes with a 20 page activity ebook on jigsaw puzzle tips and tricks, and puzzle saver sheet instructions (a cool feature, but not really necessary).
Although this product is slightly more expensive, the adhesive makes this product well worth the cost. This puzzle glue sheet is STRONG, so I highly recommend using this product for a long lasting seal. If you aren’t sure which puzzle adhesive sheet to use, you can’t go wrong with this product.
3. Prep Surfaces Before Gluing
Now that you’ve determined what glue or glue sheet to use for your puzzles, it’s time to prep your surfaces and jigsaw puzzles for gluing. Depending on your choice of adhesive, you will need to prep your finished puzzles differently. Here are my best tips for gluing jigsaw puzzles.
Liquid Puzzle Glue
Chose a liquid puzzle glue? Great choice! Although liquid puzzle glue is the most reliable way to preserve a puzzle for hanging, liquid glues can be quite messy.
For easier cleanup and to prevent adhering your jigsaw puzzle onto a surface by accident, I recommend covering a table with a sheet before gluing.
Here are some sheet ideas to protect your surfaces and place under your puzzle cheaply:
- trash bag
- wax paper
- parchment paper
- piece of cardboard
Puzzle Glue Sheet
How do you glue a puzzle together quickly for framing without a mess? Use a puzzle glue sheet! This is the best way to glue a puzzle!
Since puzzle glue sheets won’t create a mess, you won’t need to cover surfaces with a protective sheet. If you hate messy projects and clean up, this is a huge win!
Since most puzzle glue sheets are adhered onto the back of a jigsaw puzzle, you will need to flip over your finished puzzle. Here’s my tip on how to do this without destroying your puzzle:
- Get two flat pieces of cardboard.
- Carefully slide one cardboard piece under your finished puzzle.
- Place the second cardboard piece onto top of your jigsaw puzzle.
- Carefully flip the your jigsaw puzzle over, applying light pressure to the two pieces of cardboard.
- Done!
4. Before Gluing, Clean The Finished Puzzle With A Slightly Damp Cloth
For best results, I recommend cleaning your puzzle before adhering it with adhesive products. A dirty puzzle can make a puzzle glue sheet less adhesive (causing puzzle pieces to unstick over time). If you plan to use a liquid puzzle glue product, you can accidentally trap dust and unwanted grime under a permanent seal (causing an unpleasant, bumpy finish onto your jigsaw puzzle).
Depending on what glue you plan to use for your finished puzzles, you’ll need to clean the front, back, or both before gluing.
Cleaning The Front
Most puzzles are coated with a finish, so a little bit of water won’t damage your puzzles. To clean dirt, oils, and dust off the surface of your puzzles, I recommend gently wiping down your jigsaw puzzle with a slightly damp cloth (make sure your cloth isn’t too wet). You could also use a little bit of dish soap if needed.
To dry, wipe a clean, dry cloth over your puzzle. Allow your puzzle to dry completely before applying your adhesive.
Cleaning The Back
If your finished puzzle is coated on the back, it is safe to use same method as above. If not, I recommend running the back over with a lint roller to get rid of any dust.
5. Follow Instructions To The T (How To Use Puzzle Glue)
For best results to preserve a puzzle for hanging, I recommend following the adhesive’s instructions carefully.
Depending on what glue you plan to use for puzzles, here are some tips on how to apply puzzle glue properly and securely:
Liquid Puzzle Glue
- Always use a glue applicator (like a foam brush or glue scrapper). Some liquid puzzle glue products won’t come with one, but I highly recommend purchasing one regardless. It will make the gluing process so much easier and allow you to spread your liquid glue evenly, giving your puzzle a better finish (you can buy most foam brushes cheaply).
- To properly to preserve a puzzle for hanging with liquid puzzle glue, allow your jigsaw puzzle to dry overnight before framing. Even if your glue promises to dry in a couple hours, it doesn’t hurt to wait overnight. For best results, allow your glue to dry completely overnight before hanging.
Puzzle Glue Sheet
- For a better seal, I recommend pressing down on the puzzle glue sheet firmly with your fingers or a flat object (like a credit card) after applying. You’ll want to get rid of any air bubbles and ensure your glue sheet is properly sealed before hanging or framing.
- Most puzzle glue sheets will adhere onto your finished puzzle immediately. For a better adhesion, I recommend allowing your sealed puzzle to lay flat for a few hours before hanging.
Conclusion: How To Glue A Puzzle Together For Framing
In this post, I’ve listed my best tricks and tips on how to preserve a puzzle for hanging, as well as, how to glue a puzzle together. I’ve also recommended some of the best puzzle glue and puzzle glue sheet products to stick together your own finished puzzle.
I hope this post helped you determine what adhesive method would work best for you, as well as, what glue to use for your puzzles.
Here are some of my main points on how to glue a jigsaw puzzle:
- Liquid puzzle glue is the best glue for puzzles.
- Puzzle glue sheets are an excellent no-mess glue alternative.
- If you plan on using a liquid glue, cover and protect surfaces with a sheet (wax paper, trash bag, etc.).
- Clean puzzles off with a slightly damp cloth to get rid of dust, dirt, and oils prior to gluing.
- Follow instructions carefully. For a better seal, I recommend allowing your liquid glue to dry completely overnight and leaving your puzzle glue sheet flat on your jigsaw puzzle for a few hours before handling.
