DIY Custom Photo Puzzles

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Learn how to make DIY custom photo puzzles with sublimation! Make personalized jigsaw puzzles from your photos, artwork, and more!

Three heart-shaped custom photo puzzles on a purple background

This post may contain affiliate links. I will receive a small commission from these sales at no additional cost to you! This post is written in partnership with Hiipoo Ink who provided me with supplies for this post.

Turn your photos into puzzles with this simple tutorial on how to make your own custom jigsaw puzzles! It’s SO easy!

Sublimation is a hot, hot, HOT trend in crafting right now, and for good reason! Sublimation requires minimal materials to get started, the projects are simple and straightforward, and the results are on par with professional printing services. No more last-minute holiday gift orders from Shutterfly or Snapfish – now, you can easily create your own photo gifts (less expensively!) from the comfort of your own home!

We’ve showed you How to Convert an EcoTank Printer to a Sublimation Printer, and now it’s time to check out all of the awesome things that you can make with your sublimation printer! First up, custom photo puzzles! Use your favorite family photos or artwork to create personalized puzzles for everyone on your gift list!

Screenshot of printing settings in Photoshop

Open up your image in your favorite photo editing software (I’m using Photoshop), and click Print. Size the image to fit a heart that is 7.5″ x 7.5″. Open up the Print Settings box and set the paper type to Premium Presentation Paper Matte.

Screenshot of printer settings in Photoshop - mirror image

Then, under the More Options tab, make sure that the image is set to print in mirrored format. You always want to mirror your images when printing for sublimation projects.

Epson EcoTank 4760 printer on desk with photo in printer tray
Side by side graphic of printed image and image from computer

You’ll notice that the printed image is a lot duller and more muted than it appeared on the computer screen. Don’t worry, it’s supposed to look that way! Once we apply heat and pressure to it, the colors of the sublimation ink will become a LOT more vibrant! 

Heat resistant mat and sheet of butcher paper on marble background

Place a heat-resistant mat on your work surface. This one here is made especially for sublimation, so it can withstand high temperatures. Then, cover the mat with a piece of butcher paper so that none of the sublimation ink accidentally transfers to the mat.

Hand with cloth cleaning off heart shaped puzzle blank on marble background

Gently clean the puzzle with a lint-free cloth to remove any dust, lint, or debris on the surface that might interfere with the ink transfer.

Heart shaped puzzle on top of paper with green heat resistant tape holding them in place

Take the printed image and place it with the ink side up on the work surface, and then take the sublimation puzzle and place it face down on top of the print. Use heat-resistant tape to hold the design in place.

Prepared puzzle, heat resistant mat, and EasyPress lined up on desktop
Sheet of A-Sub sublimation paper over puzzle on heat resistant mat

Flip both pieces over and place them on the mat. It is possible for the sublimation ink to seep through the back side of the paper when pressing, so I’m going to add two sheets of butcher paper on top of my project to protect my EasyPress from any possible ink transfer.

EasyPress and stack of items ready to be pressed on marble background

Set the temperature for 400 degrees and 90 seconds, and press the puzzle with medium pressure.

Hand holding the EasyPress and pressing the stack of puzzle layers on marble background
Vibrantly colored photo puzzle next to faded printed image on sublimation paper

Allow the project to cool and then remove the paper.

Vibrantly colored family photo puzzle on marble background

Look at how much brighter and more vivid the colors are now! It’s awesome!

Close up of glossy finished puzzle pieces with pearlescent glitter finish on purple background

The high-gloss finish on this particular sublimation puzzle also includes a shimmery layer of pearlescent glitter that is super cool. It’s completely smooth to the touch and doesn’t distract from the image at all, but it lends a really nice sparkle and shine when the light hits it just right.

two heart-shaped photo jigsaw puzzles on pink background

These photo puzzles are SO much fun! They’d make a great gift idea, too!

heart shaped custom diy puzzle

You’re not just limited to photos, though! Make custom puzzles with your artwork, children’s drawings, and more! The options are truly limitless!

Photo puzzles are just one of the awesome projects that you can make with a sublimation printer, and we have LOTS more sublimation tutorials planned, so stay tuned! Make sure to follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss a thing!

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how to make custom puzzles from artwork
how to make custom puzzles from artwork

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