How to Paste a Puzzle

https://www.wikihow.it/Incollare-un-Puzzle

Many puzzles, once finished, are true works of art.After you finish one, you may want to keep it to show off to friends or appreciate what you've achieved.You can store the puzzles by applying clear glue to the front, to keep all the pieces together;furthermore, you can stabilize it even better by repeating the operation on the rear side.Once glued, you can attach it to a sturdy surface, so that all the pieces do not fall apart.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Glue the Front of the Puzzle

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1
Get the materials. To ensure that the glue doesn't dull the surface of the puzzle, flake off, or cause other damage, you'll need to purchase a specialized product, which you can find at most craft and art stores.Here's what you'll need in total:
- Puzzle glue;
- Brush or sponge;
- Baking or waxed paper.
- For this project you can use any clear glue, such as decoupage glue or hairspray;however, some adhesives may leave a dull film or may not secure all pieces properly.^{[1]
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2
Lay out the baking paper on the work surface. You need a flat, clear space to glue the puzzle;sometimes, the adhesive seeps between the pieces, making them stick to the underlying surface.To avoid this phenomenon, you should place a layer of baking paper between the puzzle and the shelf you are working on.^{[2]
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- The sheet of baking paper must be larger than the puzzle, so that it protrudes several centimeters from all edges.
- If you don't have baking paper on hand, you can use waxed paper to prevent the pieces from sticking to the work surface.
3
Place the puzzle on the baking paper. If you can, slide it onto the workstation you have prepared;if this is not possible, you must insert a thin sheet of rigid cardboard under the puzzle to be able to transfer it.
- At this point, the puzzle should be on the baking paper with the design side up, with the paper sticking out of the edges by several centimeters.^{[3]
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4
Put glue in the center of the puzzle. To ensure you spread an even layer of adhesive, you should start in the center and spread it out towards the perimeter.Apply a small amount of glue to start with, as you can always add more later if needed.
- By working from the center towards the edges you avoid using too much and spreading an uneven layer.^{[4]
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5
Apply the glue evenly. Pour a little at a time and use the brush or sponge to distribute it from the center to the outer corners.A thin layer is enough to hold the pieces in place.
- Applying too much causes the edges of the puzzle to sometimes curl during the drying process.^{[5]
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- Some brands of puzzle adhesive come with a small spatula that you can use to spread the product.
- If you realize that the brush or sponge is not suitable for spreading the glue or the one you bought does not have a paddle, you can use a small spatula to work faster.However, once finished, it is not easy to remove the dried adhesive from the accessory.
6
Remove any glue from the puzzle. In several cases, when you reach the edges you realize there is extra glue.Remove it by pushing it over the edges and dropping it onto the baking paper using the brush, sponge or plastic spatula.^{[6]
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- If you're using a putty knife or palette knife, you can get rid of the extra glue by scooping it up with the tool and wiping it off with a paper towel.
7
Wait for the glue to dry. This could take a few hours or even an entire night, depending on the brand of adhesive.When evaluating glue drying times, it's always best to err on the side of caution and err on the side of caution.Moving the puzzle too soon could cause the pieces to warp with wet glue.
- You should check the instructions on the package to determine the drying times needed.^{[7]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Glue the back for greater stability

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1
Turn the puzzle over. The bond created by the adhesive on the front side should allow you to easily lift the puzzle with your hands and turn it, so that the cardboard side is facing up.Larger puzzles are typically more unstable;if so, you should use a piece of cardboard or other similar rigid material to provide additional strength.^{[8]
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- Glue often seeps into the spaces between puzzle pieces;if this happens, try to gently remove the baking paper from the back before turning everything over.
- You may need to use a tool with a sturdy plastic edge, such as a putty knife, to loosen the puzzle from the baking paper, especially if you used a glue with a high adhesive strength.Remember to apply gentle pressure at this stage.
- After turning the puzzle over, you should put the baking paper back under it to prevent the pieces from sticking to the work surface.
2
Glue the back of the puzzle from the center towards the edges. Pour a moderate amount of glue into the center of the "picture" and spread a thin layer towards the perimeter using a sponge or brush.Just like you did for the front side, try to get an even, thin layer.^{[9]
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- You should add a little glue at a time to avoid wasting glue and to make sure you only spread a thin, even coat over all the pieces.
When you reach the perimeter of the puzzle, there's probably a little extra glue left;to get rid of it, use the sponge or brush to drop it onto the baking paper beyond the edges of the puzzle.^{[10]
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When the back layer is also dry, the pieces are well fixed together.In many cases, the puzzle is stable enough that you don't have to frame it or attach it to a structure if you decide to display it on a flat surface.However, framing it gives it even more sturdiness, in case you want to hang it like a painting.^{[11]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Framing the Puzzle

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1
Do not hang the puzzle without a frame. Over time the glue naturally deteriorates, causing pieces to come loose and become lost.To make sure this doesn't happen, you should place the puzzle in a frame before hanging it.^{[12]
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- You should frame it especially if you plan to move it to several places.If the puzzle bends, the glue layer can crack or cause the entire "picture" to crumple;a rigid support surface prevents all this from happening.
2
Use a simple cardboard structure. Take a piece of cardboard that is larger than the puzzle to make an effective support structure.Apply a moderate amount of glue to the back of the puzzle and place it on the cardboard.Wait for the adhesive to dry and then:
- Take a utility knife and cut off the excess cardboard along the edges.To do this, slide the blade around the perimeter of the puzzle.
3
Attach the puzzle to a foam base when you frame it. Often, a sturdy, relatively thin board of expanded foam is placed behind the puzzle before framing it.The reason for choosing this material lies in its flexibility, which facilitates insertion into the frame.
- There are many types of foam boards that are useful for this purpose, and you can find them at art or craft stores.
- If you're not sure whether the foam you've chosen is strong or thin enough to frame a puzzle, the store clerk can certainly provide you with some advice.^{[13]
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4
Frame it. This gives the finished, glued puzzle the look of a work of art.First, you need to measure its size and purchase the correct frame.Insert the puzzle inside and close the rear support to protect and expose the "picture".^{[14]
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- Most frames come with hooks or clips to hold the puzzle in place, or a piece of cardboard to hold it to the glass.
- If you want to save money, you can find cheap and suitable frames in second-hand shops, which you can repurpose for the puzzle.
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Advice

Sometimes, the glue causes the edges of the puzzle to curl;by spreading it on both the front and back sides you can remedy this problem.
Most puzzle glues leave a glossy finish;if you don't want to get this effect, you have to apply it only on the back.This method also works for metal and glow-in-the-dark puzzles.

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Things you will need

Puzzle glue
Brush or sponge
Baking paper or waxed paper

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