The Puzzlemania

Most jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts like to preserve jigsaws, especially if they
involve 1000 pieces or more, as it is a tribute to their patience and labor.
Preserving a jigsaw by mounting, laminating, and framing would enable others to
appreciate one’s hobby while serving as a nice decorative piece on the wall.

After patiently putting the jigsaw puzzle together, one should gingerly place
a thin piece of plastic between the underside of the jigsaw puzzle and the
surface that one is working on. This is to prevent the counter or table from
getting residual glue, which often seeps through, on it.

One should then evenly apply glue to the upper (picture) surface of the
jigsaw. One could use soft wood sticks to compress the puzzle while gluing and
wait for an hour or two for it to dry. One could then apply a second coat of
glue. Multiple light coats, as opposed to a thick coating, prevent pieces of the
picture from bloating or swelling up. One could use a sponge for application or
use the applicator provided.

Some thicker glue would do for bigger piece puzzles whereas, a more liquid
glue would be better for tight fitting puzzles. A shinier finish could be used
for irregular shapes that cannot be laminated or for pictures too big to be
framed.

Once the jigsaw is thoroughly dried it can be turned over. It can then be
glued on the back to mount on a plywood board cut to size. One could laminate if
desired or spray the top surface with an acrylic spray to safeguard from dust
and other contaminants. One could also mount it on to a sheet of Styrofoam with
rubber cement and then fit into a wooden frame.

One’s jigsaw is now ready to be displayed or to be given as a gift to a loved
one.