Is there anything quite as satisfying as adding the final piece to a puzzle? That instant feeling of complete satisfaction and a job well done with an added bonus of a visual masterpiece before you simply cannot be beat. Jigsaw puzzles can be a beloved family pastime, a cozy date night, or even a solitary activity to get your mind working. Why not have one of your best-loved photos be the basis of your jigsaw puzzle? Gather hilarious photos of amazing moments you shared with your best friends or significant other, and create a unique gift. Unleash your creativity by designing your own puzzle on Zazzle.
Don’t worry, it’s easier than you may think! We’re here to guide you through the steps of making your own custom puzzle. And the best thing about it is, you don’t have to venture any further! With our step-by-step process below, you can make your own custom puzzle that either you or a friend will cherish forever! It all starts with Zazzle’s FREE design tool!
How to Create Your Own Custom Puzzle
Time needed: 10 minutes
- Choose a blank puzzle template
You’ll see a selection of different-sized jigsaw puzzles. Once you click on one of the options, you’ll get a better visual of what you’re working with, and then the size can be adjusted if needed.
- Select a puzzle size
Choosing a size can be difficult when it comes to photo jigsaw puzzles, as you want to be sure they measure up correctly. This is why we recommend going with your gut: select from one of the eight sizes initially. Practice makes perfect as they say!
- Log into your Zazzle account
Make sure you’re signed into a Zazzle account so that any changes you make are saved. Once that’s done, you can click on ‘Customize this Design,’ and you’ll be brought into the free design tool.
- Upload a photo or design
Here’s the part you’ve been waiting for- it’s photo upload time! You’ll see that, on the left, you can instantly upload photos from the laptop or mobile device you’re using. From there, you can add as many pictures as you wish! The green dotted guide lines around the edges are your friends: keep anything important, such as people’s faces, within these lines, or they’ll be cut off during printing (and nobody wants that)!
Note: If you’re wanting to be creative feel free to use our text and background options. If you’re using a laptop, the sidebar on the left has all the options you need, while on a mobile device, all the options you require are below the main image. - Finalize your custom puzzle
Once you’re happy with your design, you can click on ‘Done’ to be redirected back to the main product page, which will have saved your amazing design. You’ll see your creation in real view and can add it to your cart. It’s as easy as that!
Hopefully, this helps you piece things together in terms of creating your own custom puzzle on Zazzle!
Unique & Personalized Puzzle Ideas
If, by chance, you’re still feeling puzzled but want to create a nice gift for yourself or a loved one, don’t worry – we have another trick up our sleeve: pre-made templates from our talented community of Independent Creators All you have to do is add your pictures to their designs and you’ll have a beautiful puzzle in no time. We’ve outlined a few ideas below:
1) Proposal Puzzles – What a fun way to pop the question!
What a way to build the suspense of your proposal! As she or he adds another piece to the puzzle, their mind starts turning, trying to figure out what the whole picture could be. Before long, they see the words forming: that all-too-important question. As the pin drops, they gasp, look up at you from the table, and let the words ‘Yes I will’ fall from their lips. Meanwhile, you finish the puzzle, and it becomes a keepsake you’ll have for years to come!
2) Kids Puzzles – Entertain and engage them at the same time.
On those rainy days when the kids are climbing up the wall wanting to do something, a puzzle is a great way to keep them interested in something that’s not on a screen. You can find a puzzle design of their favorite theme, whether that’s dinosaurs, unicorns, spaceships, mermaids, or anything else. Every puzzle can be customized to include the kid’s name to make it extra special.
3) Adult Puzzles – Finally, a puzzle you can’t wait to complete!
Finding a puzzle you love can be hard, and when you’re not interested in the design, it can be hard to work on it every evening. Find a design that inspires you and compels you to return to it. Your passions can be inscribed on every puzzle piece, and you can even create a little puzzle collection. Puzzles can help improve memory and reduce stress from your everyday life. Furthermore, it’s a way to detox after the time you’ve spent on your phone and computer.
4) Photo Collage Puzzles – Why just have one photo, when you could have all of them?
You can relive your recent vacations or life events with all of the photos from the day or days if it’s from a trip. You will no longer have to choose between them to find the one you love, you can love all of them as you put the puzzle together.
5) Birth Announcement Puzzles – Turn family game night into an announcement.
Share your amazing news with your family in a creative and unique way. Your loved ones will think it’s just a regular game night until the final pieces come together. Just be prepared for lots of hugging and screams as your family learns that there’ll be one more for the holidays this year!
Enjoy pulling at those innovative thoughts and learning how to make your own custom puzzle with ease on Zazzle. Before you know it, you’ll have a custom picture puzzle that’ll be fun for the whole family. It can become a family keepsake, a reminder of a fond event, or a unique gift!
Lucy is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork, Ireland. Originally from America, she is now settled in Ireland with her husband and Corgi-mix puppy Dug (yes, like from Disney’s UP!). It’s the simple things in life that matter, so give her a bag of M&M’s and she’s happy. She loves to relax with a good book, cozy up on the couch for a movie, or go to the park for a stroll with the family.
