7 tips for solving jigsaw puzzles
Making jigsaw puzzles is a very fun and entertaining hobby to do alone or in company with friends or family. There are true enthusiasts of this hobby, real experts capable of assembling jigsaw puzzles with thousands of pieces for hours on end. But there are also those who are more sporadic and beginners who start slowly. Sometimes it's easy to get stuck, but don't get overwhelmed because we're going to give you tips and tricks to assemble puzzles without getting frustrated.
Steps to assemble a jigsaw puzzle
If you are just starting out in the world of jigsaw puzzles, these tips will be very useful to help you choose the one you need and get more and more hooked on this fun hobby. Here are our tips on how to assemble jigsaw puzzles successfully:
1.- Choose a puzzle that is right for your level.
If you have never done a puzzle before, you need to start from less to more. Choose one that is suitable for your level, both in terms of the number of pieces and the image. It is not advisable to start with a 10,000-piece monochrome puzzle, because it will be too complex. If you are an adult, you could start with a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle, with an image that has several colours or elements that are easily distinguishable separately. Younger children can start with jigsaw puzzles or puzzles of 24 pieces and gradually increase the difficulty.
2.- Choose a place where you feel at ease
It may seem obvious, but sometimes we start to assemble the puzzle anywhere, without taking into account several very important aspects: that it is an area with good light, so that your eyes don't get so tired; the size of the table or surface to fit the assembled puzzle and the loose pieces around it... These are just some of the aspects that you should take into account before getting down to work. Another important aspect is mobility, that is, that you can access it from either side without having to stretch out too far or having to move furniture out of the way. With all this in mind, you will create the perfect atmosphere. You can add a little music if it helps you concentrate better.
3.- Always have the image of the jigsaw at hand.
It is very important to always have the original image of the jigsaw puzzle visible. This way, it can serve as a guide during the assembly process. Don't leave it lying around, always have it clearly visible so that you can have it as a reference at a glance. This will make it much easier for you.
4.- Classify and divide the pieces
The previous points are the preparation, but when you have all these aspects in mind, it is time to get down to work. This is possibly the most used trick in the world, and the one that can help you to successfully finish your puzzle without taking too long. We are referring to the classification of the pieces. We recommend that you distribute the pieces into different groups according to these criteria:
5.- Start with the edges.
The pieces that border the puzzle are the least numerous, compared to the rest. If you have sorted the pieces by colour, it won't be too difficult to put the pieces from each of the four sides together. Little by little, you will form the complete frame of the puzzle and this will help you to know at the outset how much space the whole puzzle will take up. It will also give you an initial boost of morale to keep you in good spirits.
6.- Start with the easiest or most recognisable parts.
We recommend starting with the simplest parts, so that one part is already done. The easiest thing to do might be to look for a very recognisable element in the image. For example: if it is a family photograph, you can start by assembling the pieces that correspond to the figure of this person. In the same way if there are very different objects.
7.- If you get stuck, take a break
Unless you are in a competition, which is certainly not the case, don't get frustrated if you get stuck at some point or don't know where to go from here. If you feel tired or frustrated, change your activity: go for a walk, turn on the TV or simply leave it for another day. It's about enjoying doing it, don't force yourself to do it for hours at a time if you don't feel like it. If you take your time, you will always do it in the best mood and enjoy the process.
And now, which one to start with?
With these tips we are sure that you will be able to easily assemble your puzzle without getting discouraged. If you have other tips for putting together puzzles that you would add to this list, we would be delighted to receive your comments and share them with everyone. If you are still not sure which puzzle to choose, you can visit our website where you will find all our models. From four to 3000 pieces, for all levels and in different materials and shapes: