What is a Custom Jigsaw Puzzle or Portrait Puzzle?

A custom jigsaw puzzle is a personalized jigsaw made from a photo or image you upload, printed onto puzzle-grade card stock and cut into interlocking pieces. Giftenova custom jigsaw puzzles come in 99, 100 XL, 500, and 1000 piece counts, ship gift-boxed, and arrive in 2-5 business days of production.

What is a Custom Jigsaw Puzzle?

A custom jigsaw puzzle is a one-of-a-kind jigsaw printed from your own photograph rather than a pre-made design. The image is printed at high resolution onto puzzle-grade cardboard substrate and cut into interlocking pieces, producing a finished puzzle that doubles as a hands-on activity and a permanent keepsake.

Custom jigsaw puzzles differ from standard puzzles in two ways. The image is yours, so the finished piece carries personal meaning. The puzzle becomes a memory you build by hand rather than a static print on the wall. Both qualities make custom puzzles popular as gifts for milestone occasions where the assembly itself becomes part of the experience.

How is a Custom Jigsaw Puzzle Made?

Custom puzzles are produced in three steps. Your photo is reviewed for resolution and composition (300 DPI minimum, 4 megapixels or higher recommended for the larger 500 and 1000 piece sizes). The image is printed onto premium cardboard stock with vivid pigment inks designed to resist fading. The printed sheet is die-cut into the chosen piece count, sorted, and packaged in a custom gift box.

Production takes 2-5 business days at Giftenova. Standard shipping adds 3-8 business days; express adds 1-3. Most US orders arrive within two weeks of placement.

What Sizes of Custom Jigsaw Puzzles Are Available?

Giftenova custom jigsaw puzzles come in four piece counts, each suited to a different audience and solve time.

• 99 pieces (pocket, ships in tube). Card-size gift; solves in 20-30 minutes. Last-minute surprises, mail-friendly gifts, and casual presentations.
• 100 XL pieces (with gift box). Extra-large playing-card-sized tiles; solves in 30-45 minutes. Best for kids ages 7-12, seniors with limited dexterity, and gift-friendly low-effort solving.
• 500 pieces (with gift box). Standard size; solves in 2-4 hours. An evening project for couples, gift exchanges, and solo puzzlers who enjoy moderate complexity.
• 1000 pieces (with gift box). Statement size; solves over a weekend. For experienced puzzlers, detailed photos with rich color, and statement keepsakes.

Who is a Custom Jigsaw Puzzle Right For?

The piece count matches the puzzler. Match the difficulty to the recipient rather than picking by photo size:

• Kids ages 7-12. The 100 XL piece count is the elementary cognitive sweet spot. The XL pieces are easier to grip and the 100-piece count is challenging enough without becoming frustrating.
• Seniors and adults with limited dexterity. Large piece puzzles (100 XL or our dedicated large piece jigsaw puzzles for seniors) work better than standard 500-piece sizes. Larger pieces, fewer pieces, less eye-strain.
• Couples and casual puzzlers. 500 pieces is the sweet spot for an evening together. Long enough to feel like a project, short enough to finish in one sitting.
• Experienced puzzlers and adult enthusiasts. 1000 pieces. The full weekend project, detailed photo subjects, and the statement keepsake when complete.
• Children under 7. Even the 100 XL puzzle is challenging for solo play. Younger children can enjoy it with an adult; we recommend our custom jigsaw puzzle for kids with rounded safe edges and non-toxic child-safe inks.

What Occasions Suit a Custom Jigsaw Puzzle Gift?

Custom puzzles work across most major gift occasions. The hands-on activity component is the differentiator from a standard photo gift.

• Anniversaries and weddings. A 500 or 1000 piece puzzle from a wedding photo or engagement portrait turns the anniversary evening into a shared activity. The 1000-piece becomes a tradition that scales over years.
• Mother's Day and Father's Day. The 100 XL piece count works for low-effort gifting; the 500 piece for parents who actively puzzle. Family photos, kids' photos, or a memorable trip subject all translate well.
• Christmas and the holidays. Hands-on activity gifts work especially well during the holiday slow-down. Family Christmas photos or annual portrait sessions become the puzzle subject.
• Memorial and remembrance. A 500 piece puzzle from a favorite portrait of someone loved becomes a slow, hands-on keepsake. Quieter than a wall hanging; more active than a desk frame.
• Birthdays. The 100 XL works for kids; 500 for adults; 1000 for milestone birthdays where the gift carries weight.
• Pet portraits. Pet photos translate beautifully on puzzle stock; the 500 piece is the popular size for pet portrait gifts.

How Do You Order a Custom Jigsaw Puzzle?

Customization on a Giftenova custom jigsaw puzzle happens in five steps from the product page:

1. Choose the piece count. 99, 100 XL, 500, or 1000. Match to the recipient's age and puzzle experience.
2. Upload your photo. JPEG or PNG file, 300 DPI minimum. We review every image and message you if the file needs adjusting before print. For 500 and 1000 piece puzzles, source 4 megapixels or higher.
3. Add custom text on the gift box (optional). Names, dates, or short messages can print on the gift box lid. Common uses: a wedding date below an engagement photo, a child's name and birth date below a family portrait, or a brief dedication on a memorial puzzle.
4. Preview and confirm. The preview shows your photo at puzzle scale with any text overlay applied. Verify framing and confirm before ordering.
5. Place the order. Production starts within one business day; the puzzle ships in 2-5 business days, gift-boxed and ready to wrap.

For multi-puzzle gift sets or bulk orders for events, use our custom order page so we can quote multi-puzzle pricing and coordinate production timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make a custom photo jigsaw puzzle from any photo?

Yes. We can turn any photo or image into a jigsaw puzzle. Family photos, vacation snapshots, pet pictures, wedding photography, abstract art - all translate well to puzzle stock. We recommend 300 DPI source images and 4 megapixels or higher for the 500 and 1000 piece sizes; pull originals from your camera or phone roll rather than social-media exports.

What size puzzle is best as a gift?

The 100 XL is the most gift-friendly piece count: substantial without overwhelming, easy enough for any age, and the XL pieces are forgiving of low-resolution source photos. For an experienced puzzler, step up to the 500 piece for an evening project or 1000 piece for a weekend statement gift.

How long does production and shipping take?

Production: 2-5 business days. Standard shipping adds 3-8 business days; express adds 1-3. Most US orders arrive within two weeks of placement. For Christmas, Mother's Day, or other deadline gifts, place orders 2-3 weeks before the date you need the puzzle in hand.

Do custom jigsaw puzzles come with a gift box?

Every piece count except the 99-piece pocket puzzle ships in a custom gift box printed with your photo on the lid. The 99-piece version ships in a tube to keep it small and mailer-friendly. Both arrive ready to wrap.

Are these puzzles safe for kids?

Our standard puzzle line is recommended for ages 13+ because the 99, 500, and 1000-piece versions have small pieces (a choking hazard for young children). For kids ages 7-12, choose the 100 XL piece count, or our dedicated custom jigsaw puzzle for kids with rounded safe edges and non-toxic child-safe inks.

Can I return a custom jigsaw puzzle?

Because every puzzle is printed from your personal photo, we cannot accept returns on a change of mind. If the puzzle arrives damaged or has a printing fault, message us at support@giftenova.com within 7 days of delivery and we will remake or refund the puzzle.