Puzzling Accessories

Jigsaw puzzle accessories are invaluable tools that can significantly enhance the puzzling experience, making it easier, more comfortable, and ultimately more enjoyable for enthusiasts of all levels. From improving posture to simplifying organization, these handy items transform a casual pastime into a truly optimized hobby.

Increase your Puzzling experience with some essential jigsaw puzzle accessories: 

Enhancing Comfort and Workspace

• • Adjustable Height Chair & Table: Investing in an adjustable-height chair provides optimal body support during long puzzling sessions. Paired with an adjustable height table, you can effortlessly switch between sitting and standing, reducing strain and improving circulation.

  • Footrest: An adjustable footrest can further boost comfort, providing ergonomic support for your feet and legs during extended periods of sitting.

  • Puzzle Board/Easel: A high-quality puzzle board or easel allows you to work on your puzzle anywhere. Many are designed with a felt surface to prevent pieces from slipping and offer a slight tilt to reduce back strain. Some even come with a cover to protect your in-progress puzzle from curious pets or children.

  • Puzzle Box Stand: This simple yet effective accessory holds your puzzle box upright, making it much easier to reference the image as you work.

Improving Visibility and Organization

• • Magnifier: A handheld magnifier is useful for distinguishing intricate details or subtle color variations on smaller or more complex pieces.

  • Puzzle Lamp: Good lighting is crucial, especially when dealing with sections of similar colors. A dedicated puzzle lamp, often a crafting lamp with adjustable light levels, provides bright, high-quality, glare-resistant white light over a large area, specifically designed to enhance visibility without eye strain. Headlamps can also be a surprisingly effective and inexpensive option.

  • Sorting Trays: These are perhaps one of the most popular accessories for organization.

    • They allow you to sort pieces into as many categories as needed, are often stackable (conveniently holding up to a 1000-piece puzzle's worth of pieces), compact, and free up workspace. They come in various shapes and sizes, and some even include lids to prevent accidental spills.

    • Flat baking pans, especially with a white paper bottom, make excellent, readily available sorting trays.

  • Puzzle Assembly Boards: These are smaller, often square or rectangular boards designed to hold small groups of pieces. You can slide them around your main puzzle surface, bringing sorted sections directly to where you're working, improving accessibility and reducing unnecessary movement.

  • Puzzle Scoop: This clever 3-in-1 tool makes it easy to move chunks of connected pieces from one spot to another. Many models also feature a built-in magnifying lens and even an LED light for added visibility.

Storing, Preserving, and Displaying

• Adhesives:

  • Elmer's School Glue: Useful for minor repairs, such as reattaching cardboard separation on puzzle piece tabs. Apply a small amount, press with a paper towel, and wipe off excess.

  • Puzzle Glue: Specifically formulated glue that you paint over the entire surface of a completed puzzle. It dries transparent, permanently seals all joints to create a single rigid board, and protects the puzzle from dust and dirt, making it ready for display.

• Peel & Stick Puzzle Saver: For those who prefer a less messy option than liquid glue, these sticky sheets are applied to the back of a finished puzzle, holding the pieces together securely for framing.

• Frames: Once completed, framing a puzzle is a wonderful way to display the artwork. Options range from inexpensive poster frames to specially made puzzle frames. You can also repurpose frames from thrift store art or construct your own. Some puzzle manufacturers even offer framing kits perfectly sized for their puzzles.

• Puzzle Portfolio: A large, zip-closed folder containing multiple felt sheets. You can assemble sections of your puzzle on these sheets, then slide them into the portfolio for safe storage or easy transport of an unfinished puzzle. The felt surface keeps pieces securely in place.

Final thoughts

Equipping yourself with these thoughtful accessories can transform your puzzling journey, enhancing comfort, organization, and the sheer joy of bringing a beautiful image to life.