Playing puzzles is a fun activity and good exercise for the brain. Making your own puzzles is much more fun and adds a whole new feel to this activity! Puzzles that you make yourself can also make beautiful gifts that you can personalize and personalize for the special people in your life. Depending on the tools available, you can make a traditional wooden puzzle or a simple cardboard puzzle. No matter what type of puzzle you make, your friends and family members will love playing it!
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparing the Picture Puzzle
Step 1. Choose an image or design
You can print photos to use as puzzle drawings, draws, or even use cards, posters, or any other printed image. If you're using photos, choose a high-resolution photo, and print it according to the size of the puzzle you're going to make. Print it yourself or print it at a photo printer according to the specifications you want. If you want to use a drawing that you made yourself, choose high-quality paper and a size that matches the size of the puzzle you are going to make. Using the media you like, draw or paint objects directly on paper.
You can also create puzzle images using a computer and print them out like photos
Step 2. Select the puzzle mat
Plywood is more durable and traditional. Choose plywood if you have a saw and can use it well. Cutting puzzles requires precision and experience. You can also use good quality cardboard as a puzzle base. The cardboard will be easier to handle and can be cut with scissors. Cardboard for crafts can be purchased at craft stores.
- The ideal base thickness, cardboard or plywood, is 0.3 cm.
- Look for a pedestal that is about the same size as the puzzle picture to avoid wasting a lot of pieces.
- You can use used cardboard as a puzzle base, but make sure it's clean, undamaged, and flat. Thin cardboard such as cereal boxes can be used for simple puzzles, but it is better to choose thick cardboard.
Step 3. Gather the tools
In addition to the drawing and base, you'll need glue, spray varnish, a ruler, and a pencil. If you're using cardboard, you'll need scissors or a craft knife. If you opt for plywood, you'll need a coping saw or a scroll saw, power saw or the right pedal saw to form intricate curves.
- Liquid glue or spray glue is the best option because it can be used on a variety of materials and won't damage the photo.
- If you're using a photo for a puzzle drawing, make sure you look for a photo-safe varnish.
Step 4. Glue the image to the base
Place the base on parchment paper or parchment paper to protect the bottom of the base. Flip the pedestal. Spray or apply glue to the base and smooth it over the entire surface. Glue the image to the base. Use your finger to slide it until the image is straight and centered. Press the image evenly with a roller or credit card so that the glue sticks perfectly and there are no air bubbles.
Leave it on until the glue dries. Glue has different drying times, but let the puzzle sit for a few hours if possible
Step 5. Paint your drawing
Take the puzzle outside or in a well-ventilated area. Place it back on the parchment or parchment paper. Spray varnish on the image. Read the can to find out how long it will take for the varnish to dry and allow the image to dry.
Part 2 of 2: Making Puzzles
Step 1. Cut the outline of the puzzle
If the puzzle image is smaller than the base, cut off the sides of the base. If the puzzle is made of cardboard, use scissors or place the puzzle on a cutting mat and use a knife. If you are making a wood puzzle, use a saw to cut the sides of the base so that the base is the same shape and size as the picture.
If you're using a hand saw, place most of the puzzle body on a hard, flat surface (like a table). Position the part you are going to cut hanging off the table. Press the puzzle to keep it from sliding with one hand and use the other to hold the saw and cut
Step 2. Make boxes
Flip the puzzle over and position the image at the bottom. Use a ruler to mark and draw squares measuring 1.9 cm (to get a larger number of smaller puzzle pieces) or 2.54 cm (to obtain a larger number of puzzle pieces).
If you don't want to draw a puzzle piece pattern, you can print a puzzle piece pattern from a website, such as Tim's Printables
Step 3. Draw the puzzle pattern
To make the puzzle pieces, start adding pictures of circles and sockets (concave and convex semicircles) on the sides of the box so that the puzzle pieces will fit together perfectly when the puzzle has been cut. You can also choose an inverted and prominent triangle shape, a square, or other shapes.
If you're using a printed pattern, stick it to the back of the puzzle and let it dry
Step 4. Cut the puzzle
If the puzzle is made of cardboard, follow the pattern you made on the back of the puzzle and use scissors to cut it out. Or, if you're using a knife, place the puzzle face down on a cutting mat and cut it carefully. You can also use a saw. Be careful so you don't get hurt. When you've cut out all the pieces, delete the rest of the pattern image.
- To make things easier, don't cut them one by one. Trim the entire row or column at once first. After that, cut them one by one.
- The varnish will protect the image from being damaged when you cut the puzzle and this varnish is especially important if you are using a saw.
Tips
- Be creative when choosing puzzle pictures! You can make any puzzle you like.
- You can choose any shape you like, and for skilled craftsmen, try making a puzzle with a shape that represents the puzzle image (for example, a puzzle with a clown image and shaped like a clown).
Warning
- If you're a kid, ask your parents for help, and don't cut anything unsupervised.
- Be careful and always wear the correct equipment when you use cutting tools and saws. Take security measures to protect you and others. Never put your fingers in front of a knife.
- If you have no puzzle cutting skills or experience, ask someone more skilled or experienced for help!
