Jigsaw puzzles are fun, but a personalized puzzle featuring your favorite photos is even better. The good news is multiple companies offer custom photo puzzles. Let's explore the top options to help you find the best custom puzzles and get the most value for your needs.
Who Makes the Best Custom Puzzles?
Multiple companies make and sell high-quality custom puzzles. Here are some popular and well-reviewed retailers worth checking out.
MakeYourPuzzles
MakeYourPuzzles specializes in puzzles, bringing a wealth of know-how and expertise to the space and providing premium-quality puzzles at affordable prices. You can make a photo puzzle with a single image or a collage photo puzzle with up to 64 images.
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This 100% women-owned business includes a premium custom puzzle box (which can be fully customized) with every puzzle. It offers free shipping on all orders in the USA. All MakeYourPuzzles products include stay-flat backs and are made in the USA using precise die-cutting, leading-edge print technology, and eco-friendly materials.
Shutterfly
Shutterfly offers a range of custom puzzles, including portrait and collage options. While the puzzle quality is good, there are no options to add text or clip art for personalization, and the box is a generic black box with a label. Puzzles are assembled in the USA but not made in the USA.
Snapfish
Snapfish provides solid customization options for the puzzle itself. Still, like Shutterfly, the box is generic with a label and lacks customization. Puzzles are assembled in the USA using the same supplier as Shutterfly.
Ravensburger
Ravensburger is known for its high-quality stock puzzles, and its custom photo puzzles share this quality. However, personalization options are limited, and the company produces its puzzles in Eastern Europe, leading to longer delivery times.
VistaPrint
VistaPrint manages its own puzzle production and offers an attractive tin box with a puzzle image on the lid. However, no customization options are available beyond choosing a templated design, and the puzzles do not use stay-flat boards.
Walmart
Walmart uses the same supplier as Shutterfly and Snapfish, offering puzzles that are similar in quality and appearance. Customization is limited to text, and no options exist to personalize the puzzle box.
Custom Puzzle Personalization Options
Unlike stock puzzles, custom puzzles are made to order based on consumer preferences. While the level of customization usually varies by company, some of your different personalization options may include:
- Choice of photo or picture
- A choice between 1 image or multiple images (collage puzzle)
- Use of filters, from classic black-and-white to vintage styles
- Addition of text, such as greetings, names, or locations
- Customized puzzle box for use as a unique gift box
3 Types of Custom Puzzles
Custom Photo Puzzles
Turn your favorite picture into a custom puzzle. Select the puzzle size and picture orientation, upload your favorite image, add your text and clip art to the puzzle if you want, and let the puzzle maker do the rest.
Custom Collage Photo Puzzles
Having trouble choosing a jigsaw photo? With a personalized collage photo puzzle, you don't need to spend hours sifting through photos for the perfect one. Pick a handful (MakeYourPuzzles lets you choose up to 64 photos) to create a unique gift that will last a lifetime.
A collage photo puzzle can be a great choice if you have low-resolution images you want to include. When you use multiple photos, even low-resolution images will be great when you can place them as smaller images in the puzzle.
Custom Professional Photo Puzzles
If you need a specific photo or help deciding what you want, make a custom professional photo puzzle instead. A pro photo puzzle lets you choose from a library of high-quality images. Popular themes include:
- Landscapes
- Cityscapes
- Animals
- Travel
- Sports
- Art and culture
- Seasonal
- Food and drink
- Fantasy
With pictures for every keyword, try browsing different categories, selecting your favorite photo, and adding text for a convenient yet memorable photo puzzle.
How to Customize a Photo Puzzle
Now that you have decided on the perfect image, let's walk through how to create a custom photo puzzle.
- Choose a template: Decide whether you're making a single-image, collage, or pro photo puzzle.
- Choose a piece count: Choose from various pieces — from a 100-piece custom photo puzzle to a 1,000-piece custom collage photo puzzle.
- Design your photo puzzle: After selecting your template, upload your favorite photos and add a personalized message.
- Design your box: If the retailer lets you design your box cover, follow the prompts for personalization, like adding a photo, design, or text.
- Receive your custom puzzle: Sit back, relax, and let the custom puzzle maker do the hard work. Once you receive your puzzle, it's ready to gift or enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a custom puzzle made?
Delivery time varies by company. MakeYourPuzzles ships orders within 3 business days, with delivery typically occurring 4 to 6 days after the customer places the order.
How long does a 1,000-piece puzzle take?
Solving a 1,000-piece-puzzle takes approximately 12 hours. Experienced solvers may complete the puzzle in less time, while less experienced puzzlers may need more time. If you'd instead do a puzzle, you can complete it in a single afternoon. Consider a puzzle with fewer pieces — for example, a 100-piece puzzle takes 1 to 2 hours to finish.
How many pieces are in custom puzzles?
Custom puzzles can range in size from a 48-piece custom puzzle (ages 5-7) to a 1,000-piece custom puzzle (ages 10+) and vary in difficulty based on the image. Decide on the right puzzle size for you before ordering.
What is the required photo resolution for custom puzzles?
A minimum of 1,600 pixels is recommended for 100 to 260 pieces. For the best quality, aim for at least 2,500 pixels for 500 to 1,000 pieces.
