Jigsaw Puzzles are fun and the only way to top that is with a personalized puzzle with your own favorite photos. There are multiple companies out there offering custom photo puzzles. In this article we will introduce the most popular custom puzzle companies in the USA so you can find the best value overall.
What Are Custom Puzzles?
In this article, we will concentrate on custom jigsaw photo puzzles.
There are so many different terms for these types of puzzles, so let's call it Custom Puzzles since this term includes all kinds of personalized puzzles such as on-demand puzzles, photo puzzles, customizable puzzles among others.
Custom Puzzles are not produced to shelf (for retailers) but produced on demand (make-to-order) mainly for end-consumers. This means once an order is placed, this puzzle will be produced to the unique specifications submitted to the manufacturer and will be shipped (in most cases) directly to your door. This concept allows the consumer to either design or select their own custom jigsaw puzzle images and create further content as well. So, you can pick your favorite picture and make your own puzzle. It's pretty cool to be able to design your own personalized puzzles!
Custom jigsaw puzzles are basically similar in material and appearance to traditional puzzles you can buy at bookstores or other retailers. However, while stock jigsaw puzzles cannot be customized in any way, custom photo puzzles offer you a variety of customization options:
- Add your own favorite picture or create a collage photo puzzle of multiple of your pictures
- Apply filters to your puzzle image - from basic black & white to vintage filters
- Add your own text to the puzzle such as greetings lines or names and locations
- You can customize the puzzle box and use it as a gift box
The customization options will vary by company. While some companies offer a full customization experience, other brands are only offering basic customization options.
Advantages of Personalized Puzzles
Personalized puzzles allow you to create a puzzle with a unique design that reflects your personality, interests, or memories. You can use your own photos, artwork, or designs to create a one-of-a-kind puzzle.
A personalized puzzle can be more engaging and interesting to complete than a standard puzzle. It can be a fun and challenging experience to put together a puzzle that features a familiar image or design.
Personalized puzzles can also create an emotional connection between the person completing the puzzle and the image or design on the puzzle. This emotional connection can be especially beneficial for people with memory loss or cognitive decline, as it can help to stimulate memories and emotions.
Why A Custom Puzzle Makes The Perfect Present
Personalized gifts are always a hit because they show that you put time and effort into selecting the perfect gift for your loved one.
Personalized puzzles can make a thoughtful and unique gift idea for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions. They can be customized to include a favorite photo and/or message, making it a personal and meaningful gift. They're not something that you can find in a store, which makes them even more special.
Leading US Resellers of Custom Jigsaw Puzzles
There are multiple resellers active in the North American market. This selection represents the most prominent and leading resellers in the custom photo puzzle market.
While it seems that some of the major resellers buy from the same manufacturer (samples from different resellers were 100% identical), their online customization options vary.
Shutterfly Puzzle
Most likely the leader by volume in North America. Shutterfly custom puzzle portfolio offers all traditional types of puzzles from portrait puzzles to collage puzzles. You can upload your favorite photos and start your photo puzzle design.
However, while the puzzle print is a good quality, you cannot further personalize the puzzle itself by adding text or clip-art to it. Shutterfly puzzle comes with a generic black box with the puzzle image applied via a pressure sensitive label to the top of the box. There are no box customization options available either.
Shutterfly is a reseller, and it appears their photo puzzles are not made in the USA, they only assemble there. Also Shutterfly puzzles are not made from specialized stay flat puzzle board.
Snapfish Puzzle
Snapfish puzzle customization tool is solid and offers plenty of customization options, however their puzzle box is a generic black box with the puzzle image applied via pressure sensitive label on top of the lid. No box customization available. Snapfish puzzles seem to be assembled in the USA, however not fully made in the USA. It appears Snapfish uses the same supplier as Shutterfly.
Ravenburger Custom Puzzle
Best known for the premium stock puzzles, Ravensburger photo puzzle portfolio is available at their online store as well. While the quality of the puzzle and the box is as good as their stock puzzles, they lack the options for customization and personalization on the puzzle and box. Also, their photo jigsaw puzzles are produced in Eastern Europe so delivery will take some extra days.
Vista Print Puzzles
While the other resellers use the same supplier, it appears Vista Print has set up their own supply chain on picture puzzles. However, they do not offer a specialized, stay flat, puzzle board. The puzzle box is a small but attractive tin-box that shows the puzzle image on the top lid. No box customization options are available.
Walmart Custom Puzzles
It seems Walmart partnered up with the same supplier as Shutterfly and Snapfish. So, the quality and overall appearance is identical to these resellers, however Walmart’s customization options for the puzzle itself are limited to text only. There is no box customization options available.
Why Choose MakeYourPuzzles As The Best Choice For Custom Puzzles
We are puzzlers and know what puzzlers want and so we bring our know-how and expertise to the custom photo puzzle market - providing premium quality, yet affordable prices.
From the traditional custom photo puzzles with 1 image to collage photo puzzles with up to 64 images - we've got you covered!
- Premium blue puzzle board – stays flat, no de-lamination
- Precise die cutting and latest print technology
- Premium Custom Puzzle Box (free)
- Puzzle and Box can be fully customized/personalized
- Free Shipping on all orders in the USA
- 100% Made in the USA
- 100% eco-friendly products
- Best value overall
We believe in a future of endless possibilities, and we intend to take our customers on the journey of innovation and creativity through all our products.
Puzzle Customization Process
At MakeYourPuzzles our online puzzle maker will walk you through the process. From uploading your pictures to adding text to the box and everything in-between is easy and fun to do. Get all family members and enjoy designing your puzzles together - it will be a ton of fun!
Types Of Custom Puzzles
Custom Photo Puzzles
It is the classic custom photo puzzle that started the entire industry - choose on single image and make your own puzzle.
Turn your favorite picture into a custom puzzle. It has never been easier to create your own premium custom photo puzzle – just select the puzzle size and picture orientation, upload your favorite image, optionally add your text and clip art to the puzzle, and let us do the rest.
Within a few days, you will receive your own Custom Photo Puzzle. The "Classic" Custom Photo Puzzle works with one photo of your choice.
Collage Photo Puzzles
Do you want to share the best pictures with your loved ones but are having a tough time picking just one? Fret no more: with our collage photo puzzles, you don’t need to spend hours sifting through photos for the perfect one. You can pick up to 64 photos to create a unique gift that will last a lifetime!
You can choose two or more photos from any special occasion to create a picture puzzle that will entertain your loved ones for years to come. You probably think that creating a brilliant collage of photos into a puzzle is too complicated. Well, we have wonderful news for you!
With our easy navigation customizer, creating a custom collage is a breeze! Choose one of our 96+ collage templates, working with about 2 to 64 images of your choice. Even low-resolution images will turn out great when placed as smaller images.
Pro Photo Puzzles
Have you ever thought about creating your own puzzle? Now, this isn’t just about sending in your pictures to be made into puzzles. We know how difficult it is to find high resolution pictures to make the large custom photo puzzles you want.
Would you like to use an image of your favorite Landscape, Sport, Park, Pets or City but don't know how to find them? Welcome to our Pro Photo Puzzles World; A catalog of high resolution pictures to choose from and customize your puzzles. A picture for every keyword. Every landscape. Every city. We offer access to a 140 million high resolution photo databases. You can browse through different categories and pick the picture you love. You can also add your own text to finalize the customization process for your own unique Custom Photo Puzzle.
How To Customize Your Puzzles
So, you have decided to get a custom puzzle, let’s show the steps to getting the perfect custom puzzle.
Choose A Template
When creating a custom puzzle, choosing the right template is crucial. There are different types of templates to choose from, including Custom Puzzle Photos, Collage Puzzle Photos, and Pro Photo Puzzles. Custom Photo Puzzles are great for traditional-style jigsaw puzzles for one of your favorite photos, while Collage Puzzle Photos can combine multiple photos into one puzzle. Pro Photo Puzzles create high-quality puzzles with a professional look.
Whichever template you choose, you can be sure that the final product will be a beautiful and unique gift for the recipient. With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect template for your custom puzzle.
Piece Count
Choose your preferred piece count starting at 100 piece all the way up to our bestseller the 1000 piece custom puzzle. We have age recommendations for each puzzle size as well.
Design Your Puzzle
Once you’ve chosen a template, you can start designing your puzzle. Simply upload your favorite photos, and if there’s a personalized message, you can also add that as well. The next step will be to design your box.
Design Your Box
You want to make sure the box looks great and is something the recipient will be proud to show off. With a few simple steps, you can create a box that will make your gift stand out from the rest. You can upload or choose a custom photo that will add beauty to your box.
Lay back and within a few days, receive your very own photo puzzle!
If you should have any questions, our excellent customer service and design team will be available to answer your questions.
Order now and get a unique custom puzzle delivered to your door!
Take advantage of our current promotion and Save Up To 43%! Doesn't get better than this? Yes, it does: we offer Free Shipping on all orders in the U.S.! Make Your Own Custom Photo Puzzle Today!
FAQs
How long does it take to get a custom puzzle made?
It widely varies by company. We experienced from 4 days to over 12 days until we received the custom photo puzzles. At MakeYourPuzzles, we will ship your order - no matter the order quantity - on the third day business day after receiving the order. So, in most cases your puzzle will show up at your door 4-6 days after you place your order. We also offer expedited and overnight shipping services. Currently we are working on shorten this lead-time to 1-2 business days + transportation time while maintaining the quality of all our jigsaw puzzles.
How long does a 1000 puzzle take?
Assembling a 1000-piece custom jigsaw puzzle can take anywhere from several hours to several days, depending on several factors such as your puzzle-solving experience, the complexity of the puzzle design, and the amount of time you are able to dedicate to the task.
Some experienced puzzle solvers can complete a 1000-piece puzzle in a matter of 3-8 hours, while others may take several days to complete it. Additionally, if you are working on the puzzle with others, the time it takes to complete it may be shorter as you can divide the work among yourselves.
How many pieces are in custom puzzles?
Below please find MakeYourPuzzles current custom photo puzzle portfolio by size with age recommendations:
100 pieces: Children 6-7 years old
260 pieces: Children 8-9 years & adults
500 pieces: Children 10+ & adults (5+ hours are often required)
1000 pieces: Children 10+ & adults (10+ hours are often required)
The level of difficulty and time required may vary based on the uploaded photos. Rule of thumb is as more colorful the photos are, the easier the photo puzzle process seems to be.
What is the required photo resolution for custom puzzles?
The higher the resolution, the better the quality of your printed photo puzzle. The final product also depends strongly on the resolution of the original digital photo.
If your image has a minimum length of 1600 pixels on its longest side, this is sufficient for a puzzle of 100, 260 pieces. This measurement corresponds approximately to a picture taken with a 2-megapixel camera. For a puzzle consisting of 500 and 1000 pieces, we recommend a minimum of 2500 pixels, corresponding to a 4-megapixel digital camera/phone camera.
We recommend a minimum dpi (dots per inch) of 100 dpi and a maximum of 300 dpi.
Are puzzles good for your brain?
Puzzles have been around for centuries, and they offer a wide range of benefits to those who take the time to solve them. This includes:
Improved Memory
Puzzles are a great way to improve your memory and keep your mind sharp. They have been proven to help people of all ages to increase their memory and recall abilities. Puzzles can help you to remember information more easily and help you to remember it for longer. And puzzles also help to improve your ability to focus and concentrate on tasks.
When you solve puzzles, you are actively engaging your brain in a challenging task. This helps to strengthen the connections between neurons in the brain, which helps to improve memory and recall.
Increased IQ
Puzzles also train the brain to think in new ways and make connections between different pieces of information, leading to improved cognitive ability. By solving puzzles, the brain is forced to think outside the box and develop new solutions, thereby increasing IQ.
Another way that puzzles can increase IQ is that it improves your spatial reasoning skills. When you focus your attention, you can visualize how the puzzle fits together and solve it.
Delays Dementia And Alzheimer's
Puzzles are a great way to help delay the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. They stimulate the brain, helping to keep it active and engaged. A study revealed that puzzles helped delay the onset of memory decline by an average of 2.54 years in people with dementia symptoms.
Puzzles are also a great way to help keep the mind sharp and active. They can help to improve problem-solving skills and creativity. They can also help improve the person’s mood and reduce stress.
Improves Visual-Spatial Reasoning
Visual-spatial reasoning is the ability to mentally manipulate objects and understand their relationships in space. By visualizing the pieces in your mind and identifying how they fit together, you develop your visual spatial skills which can be helpful in real-life applications like reading a map.
Conclusion
Making your own puzzle is a lot of fun and a personalized puzzle adds that special touch! While you can buy custom puzzles from multiple US resellers, not all of them offer the same level of personalization and real premium puzzle quality.
If you are in the market for a premium and full customizable jigsaw puzzle, check out our custom puzzle categories and make your very own premium custom puzzle - you will save money as well! All our custom puzzles are Made in the USA and we offer free shipping on all orders in the US - no surprises at checkout!
