Q&A for How to Assemble Jigsaw Puzzles

Puzzle preserver is also called "puzzle conserver" or "puzzle glue". It's a glue that you spread over the surface of your completed puzzle so that you can save the puzzle for flat storage, or for use as a table mat or so that you can frame the puzzle. You can buy puzzle preserver at any stores or online retailers that sell jigsaw puzzles.

It depends on how many pieces it has, and what the level of difficulty is for each specific puzzle.

The outer pieces normally have a straight side. So, get your hands in there and find the puzzle pieces with straight sides.

I sort out special objects in the puzzle first; frass, rivers, etc. Then I do the frame of the puzzle and start moving inwards.

It depends on the puzzle. They can have either a landscape or portrait alignment.

Sometimes it can depend on the puzzle. For instance, if you're doing a puzzle with a lot of brown pieces, and you work on a wood surface, the pieces may blend in. Black blends in to a lot of different puzzles so it may not be the best choice. If you do a lot of nature scenes blue and green probably won't be good, but something unnatural (like pink) would be good. Get something that won't hurt your eyes to look at for a long time, and then something that your puzzle pieces won't blend into.

Most jigsaw puzzles do not have the same number of pieces vertically and horizontally. Square jigsaw puzzles are more likely to have the same number of vertical and horizontal pieces, but even then you can't be sure.

Sometimes a piece might fit in multiple places, but it should be obvious by looking at the picture if it's in the wrong place.

Edge pieces have one (or two, in the case of corner pieces) flat edge with no tabs or blanks.

Start with the edge so you know how big it is and where each edge is. Then work your way into the middle by looking at the picture on the box and trying to find the right pieces.

Separate the group from the rest of the puzzle. Slide a piece of heavy paper under the group. Lift the paper carefully and move the group to a new location. Then if you want, slide the paper out from under the group.

Try printing it out, then cut it up into small, different shaped pieces for a simple jigsaw puzzle. If you want something more substantial, back it onto card or cardboard before cutting the pieces out.

Yes, that is an important part of doing the puzzle. Definitely follow the picture to do your puzzle, so you know which pieces go where.

Try to sort them in to groups, then try to match similar pieces. Don't worry if you can't find any matches. Do your best and puzzles that have a lot of similar pieces takes time.

Sort the puzzle pieces in A, B, C, and D. This strategy will make it easier to complete.