What to Do with a Finished Puzzle

Finishing a puzzle is such a satisfying moment. You put in the time, sorted all the edge pieces, worked through that tricky sky section, and now it’s done—complete, beautiful, and just sitting there. So what’s next?

Well, that all depends on what kind of puzzler you are.

Me? I Take It Apart

Honestly, I don’t usually keep puzzles together for more than a few minutes. I love the process—the sorting, the solving, the little victories along the way—but once I’ve snapped that last piece into place, I’m already thinking about the next one. Usually you can find me scrolling the new releases on Puzzle Warehouse.

Most of the time, I carefully take the puzzle apart and either hand it off to a friend or donate it so someone else can enjoy it. I think puzzles deserve more than one life, and it’s kind of special knowing a puzzle I finished is now part of someone else’s quiet afternoon or family weekend.

But What If You Want to Save It?

If you’re looking to preserve your puzzle, there are a couple great options for turning your finished piece into a keepsake:

• Glue and frame it. This is the classic route. Use puzzle glue, let it dry, and frame it like a poster. It’s a fun way to display puzzles with bold artwork or personal meaning.
• Mount it for display. You can also mount your puzzle on foam core or backing board if you want a lightweight display option that doesn’t require a frame.
• Try Preserve My Puzzle. If you want a clean, professional finish without the mess, there’s a service called Preserve My Puzzle that laminates your puzzle and makes it easy to display. I’ve used them twice and loved the final result. It’s a great option for saving puzzles that are really special.

I’ve only glued or saved puzzles a few times myself, mostly for YouTube content when I wanted to show off a favorite image or brand. But for puzzlers who want to keep their completed work, it’s a fun way to make the puzzle last.

Other Ideas for Finished Puzzles

• Snap a photo. A quick picture of your finished puzzle is a great way to save the memory without taking up space.
• Trade with a friend. Puzzle swaps are an easy, budget-friendly way to try new puzzles while sharing your favorites. Try searching for local Puzzle swaps!

• Donate it. Local libraries, senior centers, schools, and thrift shops often appreciate puzzles in good condition—as long as all the pieces are there.
• Turn it into a craft. Some puzzlers repurpose saved puzzles into DIY trays, coasters, or bookmarks. Pinterest has no shortage of ideas!

In Summary

There’s no right or wrong thing to do with a finished puzzle. Whether you save it, frame it, gift it, or donate it, your puzzle already did what it was meant to do: bring a little joy, peace, and maybe even a brain boost.

For me, the real reward is the puzzling process itself. Once it’s done, I take a moment to admire it—then it’s off to the next one!