The ultimate guide to great puzzle designs

Have you ever wondered why some puzzles seem more enjoyable than others? The secret often lies in the design. Subtle tweaks in the design or layout can significantly impact both the difficulty and fun factor of a puzzle.

Selecting the ideal image for your puzzle is like finding the right book to read on a rainy day. It determines the level of challenge, the engagement, and ultimately, the satisfaction derived from completing the puzzle. But striking a balance is key - a good puzzle requires some mental rigor but doesn’t suck the fun out of the activity.

🔑 Key factors to consider

When it comes to designing a great puzzle, there are several factors to consider:

Detail level

The level of detail in your puzzle can make a big difference. Ideally, each piece should have enough detail to be distinct from others but not so obvious that pieces are placed easily. It’s about finding that sweet spot where there’s just enough challenge to keep things interesting.

For instance, consider our Easter Eggs Jigsaw Puzzle. The intricate details of the image increase the level of difficulty - while our Shuttle Liftoff Jigsaw Puzzle has more easily defined objects (such as the shuttle, the ground, and the water tower), which can be taken on separately, if needed. 

Uniform colors

Large spaces with uniform colors can significantly up the difficulty level. While this can be good for those seeking a challenge, it should be used in moderation.

In our Totem of Trans Am Jigsaw Puzzle, if more blue sky was shown, it would be more difficult, and if less was shown, it would likely be easier. The key is to strike a balance between uniform and varied colors.

Puzzle piece shapes

The shape of your puzzle pieces also plays a role in the overall difficulty. If all pieces were a uniform color and shape (called a "ribbon cut"), this could not only be difficult but potentially tedious as very similar pieces could seem like they fit in the wrong place.

At Puzzery, we add a small variation to our ribbon cut puzzle piece shapes to avoid this issue. However, we are also trialing adding a randomized puzzle piece shape option for those seeking an extra challenge.

Image composition

Finally, consider how your image is composed. For example, having distinctive items around the edge of your design can give puzzlers a great start and a strong foundation.

For example, in our Golden Gate Sunset Jigsaw Puzzle, we included some distinctive pieces near the edge to make it easier for puzzlers to find and identify where they go. For hardcore puzzlers who solve puzzles without referencing the box, this can be nice touch.

🔎 Discovering the perfect image

Now that we’ve explored the importance of image composition and how it can affect your puzzle-solving experience, let’s tackle the next big question - where can you find the perfect image for your custom puzzle?

The challenge of choosing an image

Selecting an image for your puzzle is like finding the right book to read on a rainy day. It sets the tone and can significantly enhance the experience. But what if you’re not sure what image to use? Or maybe you’re looking for something a little different than the usual family photo or pet portrait. You’re not alone. We’ve all been there, and that’s why I’ve got something special for you.

The world of royalty-free images

In the world of digital art, “royalty-free” is a term that refers to a type of license that allows you to use an image without having to pay royalties or license fees each time you use it. This means you can legally print these images on your puzzles without any worries.

There are hundreds of sites that offer royalty-free images, but today, I’ll walk you through five of my favorites:

Did you know that over 70% of the puzzles we print here at Puzzery have pets on them? That’s right, pets often are the go-to puzzle design for puzzle lovers.

🪜 Next steps

Overall, the art of puzzle design is a fascinating journey that combines creativity, strategy, and a deep understanding of what makes a puzzle enjoyable. Keep some of these details in mind when selecting an image, and your custom puzzle is sure to be a hit. So whether you’re designing a puzzle for yourself or as a gift for someone special, we hope this guide inspires you to create something truly unique.

Happy puzzling! 🧩