Do Photo Puzzle Pieces Lock Tightly?

Yes, they interlock snugly. They are standard interlocking jigsaw pieces, die-cut for a snug fit, but they are not meant to lock permanently and should be moved carefully once assembled. The fit holds the picture together on a table; it is not a snap-lock mechanism.

How the Pieces Fit

Custom photo puzzles use the same interlocking shape as a standard retail jigsaw: each piece is die-cut so its tabs and blanks sit snugly against its neighbors. That snug fit keeps the assembled image together while it rests on a flat surface, the way any jigsaw does. The pieces are not designed to clamp or stay locked when lifted, so picking up a finished puzzle by one corner will pull it apart.

Keeping a Finished Puzzle Together

If you want the puzzle to hold together for moving, framing, or hanging, the usual approach is puzzle glue across the back of the assembled puzzle. For how that works, see do puzzles need glue to frame and our frame and display guide. Until it is glued, move the puzzle on a rigid board or tray rather than lifting it directly.

A Note on Photo Block Puzzles

One format is different: the photo block puzzle uses tiles that snap onto a baseplate, which is its own kind of fit and not the interlocking-cardboard jigsaw described here. See the photo block puzzle guide for that format.

Related Information

For what the pieces are made of, see what are custom photo puzzles made of. For long-term handling and storage, see our care and storage guide, or browse the full range of custom photo puzzles.