How to Frame a Jigsaw Puzzle and Turn It Into Stunning Wall Art

How to Frame a Jigsaw Puzzle and Turn It Into Stunning Wall Art

Turn Your Finished Puzzle Into a Masterpiece

You've spent hours carefully placing every piece, and now your beautiful jigsaw puzzle is complete. So what happens next? Don't break it apart and put it back in the box, frame it and turn it into stunning wall art!

At Puzzles Me AU, we believe every finished puzzle deserves to be celebrated. Here's our complete step-by-step guide to gluing, preserving and framing your jigsaw puzzle so it can take pride of place on your wall for years to come.

What You'll Need

  • ✅ Your completed jigsaw puzzle
  • ✅ Puzzle glue or Mod Podge (available at Spotlight or Lincraft)
  • ✅ A foam brush or flat paintbrush
  • ✅ A piece of cardboard or foam board slightly larger than your puzzle
  • ✅ A picture frame sized to your puzzle dimensions
  • ✅ Wax paper or baking paper
  • ✅ Heavy books or weights

Step 1: Don't Move Your Puzzle Yet!

Before you do anything, make sure your puzzle is fully assembled and flat on a hard surface. Slide a piece of wax paper underneath the puzzle to protect your table and make it easier to move later.

Pro tip: If your puzzle has shifted or isn't quite flat, gently press it down with your hands before gluing.

Step 2: Apply Puzzle Glue to the Front

Using your foam brush, apply a thin, even layer of puzzle glue across the entire front surface of your puzzle. Work quickly and in one direction to avoid streaking.

Popular puzzle glue available in Australia includes:

  • Ravensburger Puzzle Conserver - available at most toy and puzzle stores
  • Mod Podge Gloss - available at Spotlight stores across Australia
  • Aquadhere PVA Glue (diluted 50/50 with water) - available at Bunnings Warehouse

Allow the front to dry completely, usually 1 to 2 hours.

Applying Puzzle Glue

Step 3: Flip and Glue the Back

Once the front is dry, carefully slide your puzzle onto a piece of cardboard or foam board. Flip it over gently - this is easiest with two people!

Apply another thin layer of glue to the back of the puzzle. This second coat locks all the pieces together and gives your puzzle extra rigidity for framing.

Place heavy books on top while it dries to keep everything flat. Leave overnight for best results.

Step 4: Choose the Right Frame

Choosing the right frame is key to making your puzzle look like a professional piece of wall art. Here are some tips:

  • 📐 Measure your puzzle carefully - standard puzzle sizes don't always match standard frame sizes, so measure in centimetres before buying
  • 🖼️ Deep frames work best - puzzles are thicker than regular photos, so look for frames with a deeper rebate
  • 🎨 Match your décor - black frames give a modern gallery look, natural timber frames suit Australian and nature themes beautifully
  • ✨ Consider a mat board - a white or cream mat border around your puzzle elevates it to gallery-wall status

Great places to find frames in Australia:

  • Spotlight - wide range of frame sizes and styles
  • IKEA Australia - affordable large format frames perfect for puzzles
  • Officeworks - great value frames in standard sizes
  • Kmart - budget-friendly options in a variety of sizes

Choosing the Right Frame

Step 5: Mount and Hang Your Puzzle

Once your puzzle is fully dry and rigid, carefully place it into your chosen frame. If it doesn't fit perfectly, a local framer can cut a custom mat board to fill any gaps beautifully.

For hanging, we recommend:

  • Picture hanging strips (Command strips) for lightweight puzzles on plasterboard walls - available at Bunnings
  • D-ring hangers screwed into the back of the frame for heavier puzzles

Gallery Wall Inspiration

Why stop at one? A gallery wall of framed puzzles is a stunning and unique way to decorate your home. Mix different puzzle sizes, themes and frame styles for an eclectic look, or keep it cohesive with matching frames and a single theme like our Australian Puzzles collection or Floral & Botanical collection.

For gallery wall layout inspiration, check out Pinterest Australia - search "gallery wall ideas" for endless inspiration!

Gallery Wall Inspiration

Ready to Start Your Next Puzzle Masterpiece?

Now that you know how to turn your finished puzzle into wall art, it's time to choose your next one! Browse our full range of HD-quality jigsaw puzzles - all printed right here in Queensland and shipped Australia-wide.

Whether you love Australian wildlife, beautiful botanicals or magical fantasy scenes, we have the perfect puzzle waiting to become your next piece of wall art. 🧩

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