How to Make a Photo Puzzle Collage

There are many ways in which you can make a photo puzzle collage. All you really need are some photo that are special to you and just a bit of imagination – the rest will take care of itself. Here is a simple guide that will help you in making the most out of your photos to create the best puzzle.

Step 1 – Getting Started

First off you need to decide whether this collage will be hung up on your wall and where is the ideal location for it. Consider its size based on the surrounding furniture and other items already hung up on the same wall. Cut a piece of thin wood, to act as a backboard for your puzzle, to size.

Step 2 – Selecting the Photos

When picking the photos that you are going to include in your collage, keep them varied and different from each other. You don’t want to have a collage of photos that are all of the same size and have very similar colors. You need each of them to be unique and have its own individual characteristic but at the same time they should complement each other. Decide on a color scale, whether full color or monochrome in grey or sepia. Pick photos from various occasions, or else you can focus on just one special day.

Step 3 – Puzzle Time

Use a piece of tracing paper that is as big as the board and start forming the puzzle pieces. You may choose to do this randomly, or follow a pattern for a neater finish. You can find templates for puzzles online that may help you get an idea of how to go about it. Once you have completed the pattern in pencil, go over it in permanent ink.

Step 4 – Placing the Photos

Print out the photos that you’re going to be using and start placing them onto the board.  Move them around till you are satisfied with the final result.  At this stage, nothing is set in stone, you can even decide to discard certain photos and pick others. When you are happy, start sticking the pictures with strong glue.  Do this carefully to avoid getting glue on the front side of the photos.

Step 5 – A Puzzle in the Making

Cut a piece a sticky-back plastic to size leaving an inch or two on each side to turn into under the pictures. Stick it onto the collage carefully to avoid having air pockets right in the middle of your puzzle. Stick the tracing paper with the puzzle pattern over the pictures and start cutting around the pattern with a pair of scissors or a craft knife. Do this carefully to avoid spoiling all the work you’ve done up till now, this is the most tedious step.

Step 6 – Finishing Up

Once you have cut up all the pieces, enjoy putting it back together again and framing it to hang on a wall, or use as a desk cover, or else place it in a safe place.

Making your own puzzle is all about having a lot of memories jam packed into one picture, forming the collage.  Enjoy showing it off to all your family and friends. Photo puzzle collages make a great present for someone special, and something hand-made always show you care enough to take the time and patience to make it.