What to Look for in a High-Quality Puzzle

When you’re buying a jigsaw puzzle, high quality may be a factor you’re considering before adding it to your cart. When it comes to selecting a jigsaw puzzle, distinguishing a premium puzzle from a "cheap" one is essential.

Explore the world of high-quality puzzles with Blue Kazoo and discover the six critical factors to consider while shopping for your next puzzle. From image resolution and adhesive quality to cardboard thickness and environmentally friendly prints, we've got you covered. Additionally, delve into our upgraded packaging designed to showcase your puzzle masterpiece.

Experience the difference and elevate your puzzling journey with Blue Kazoo's commitment to excellence.

6 Puzzle Quality Factors to Look for in a Jigsaw

When shopping for a jigsaw puzzle, it's important to look for key factors that distinguish a high-quality puzzle from a cheaper one. Here are six components to consider:

1. Image Clarity & Resolution

Image clarity and resolution is a significant factor when it comes to quality jigsaw puzzles. Working on a puzzle with pictures that utilize a high-resolution image will significantly increase the quality of the puzzle. A low-resolution image on a puzzle will make the picture appear grainy or distorted. A high-res image, on the other hand, provides more detail and clarity, turning a completed puzzle into the work of art you’ll want to frame and hang. 🖼️ When choosing a jigsaw, opt for puzzles with high-resolution images that showcase detailed and clear visuals, creating a captivating finished artwork.

Here at Blue Kazoo, we choose images puzzles are meant to be made for - hence why we are selective about what makes it to the production stage. If the image can’t meet our standard, it doesn’t get made. 

Not in the mood for picture puzzles? Try one of our solid color jigsaws. 

2. Adhesive Quality

The glue used during puzzle production is an important factor to keep in mind when puzzle shopping. In addition to the pictures of puzzles being of high quality, the adhesive used to attach the image to the cardboard needs to be too.

A lower-cost puzzle will typically use everyday paper glue to adhere the image, while higher-quality adhesives are used for puzzles with bigger price points. The difference between the two comes down to the amount of water content used in the adhesive, which can either prevent the puzzle from bending and warping or not.

Puzzles are meant to be used and fitted together. A puzzle with a lower-quality adhesive containing more water content may cause the image to lift from the cardboard or easily tear. Higher-quality puzzles use superior adhesives that prevent bending, warping, and image lifting. Avoid puzzles with lower-quality adhesives that may lead to tearing or image distortion. 🧩

3. Cardboard Thickness

Puzzle cardboard (also called chipboard) comes in a variety of qualities and thicknesses. Lower-quality puzzles are usually produced with thin cardboard and can easily retain moisture, making them soft and pliable. High-quality puzzles, however, use thicker cardboard, making the pieces stiffer and easier to fit together. 

In recent months, we’ve completely upgraded our materials and moved to a premium, more sustainable blackboard. Our new paper stock is made up of recycled FSC-Certified material and is sustainably sourced. Additionally, our puzzle thickness is 2mm (a whopping 80-point chipboard), making the pieces extra sturdy. It’s also really cool to look at. 😎

Don’t believe us? Refer to this picture of puzzle pieces to get a peek for yourself. 👇

4. Fade-Resistant Printing

The method used to print the puzzles is a critical component when it comes to the quality of jigsaw puzzles. A puzzle may have the best quality image possible, but if the ink used is subpar, it can lead to a picture that easily fades or smudges from use. The method and ink quality used for printing greatly impacts puzzle longevity. Choose puzzles with high-quality printing to ensure vibrant colors that resist fading or smudging.

In addition to upgrading to the blackboard, we’ve made our inks more environmentally friendly. Now, our puzzles, boxes, and posters are all printed using plant-based inks and are fully biodegradable. 🌿

5. Precise Cutting

After the image is printed and glued to the cardboard, the result is essentially a poster of the puzzle design. To turn it into a jigsaw puzzle, it must be cut (kind of like a cookie cutter) and separated into individual pieces.

The knife and the pressure used to cut the image can make or break the overall quality of the puzzle. A sharp knife is a must to ensure pieces are cut smoothly and effectively. If the knife is dull, though, the result is a puzzle with torn or fuzzy pieces that more or less remain joined when packaging. 🔪

6. Thoughtful Packaging

Don't overlook the puzzle box. Many may not take into account the box that the puzzle comes in, but we certainly do at Blue Kazoo. We believe puzzles are meant to be shown off, and we designed a box to do just that. 

Along with our earlier-mentioned upgrades, we’ve also made improvements to our boxes. Previously, our boxes were wrapped in cellophane, which we’ve replaced with biodegradable stickers to keep the box closed until it gets home. We’ve also swapped the inner plastic bag for a reusable, compostable paper bag. That means no more puzzle pieces spilling out when you open the box and no more plastic garbage. 🚫 

Opt for brands like Blue Kazoo that prioritize quality packaging, replacing plastic with biodegradable stickers and compostable paper bags to enhance sustainability.

How is a jigsaw puzzle made? Check out our blog on the puzzle-making process. 

Buying Used Jigsaws

Acquiring pre-loved puzzles is a great way to spread the joy of jigsaws. Keep in mind that there is a chance that used puzzles do not have all the pieces, or may not be in perfect condition from transportation and multiple uses. 

Not sure what to do with puzzles that are missing pieces? Here are 8 creative ways to utilize your puzzles.