Can You Use Elmer’s Glue for Puzzles?

Completing a jigsaw puzzle gives you a great sense of accomplishment and many puzzles can form beautiful works of art when finished. That’s why it’s a good idea to preserve your hard work by gluing and framing the puzzle if you can share it with friends and family.

In order to do that, you need to use the right kind of glue. Some crafters use specialized glues that are made specifically for puzzles while others use a standard school glue like Elmer’s glue.

So, can you use Elmer’s glue for puzzles? You can use Elmer’s glue for puzzles. It forms a strong bond when applied to various kinds of surfaces so it will hold the puzzle pieces together for a long time. It also dries clear so it won’t be noticeable when the puzzle is framed. You will first need to mix the glue with water to make it easier to spread on the puzzle surface.

Keep reading to learn more about Elmer’s glue and how it can be used to preserve jigsaw puzzles.

What Is Elmer’s Glue?

elmer's glue to answer can you use Elmer's glue for puzzles

Elmer’s glue, also known as white glue or school glue, is a kind of synthetic glue made from polyvinyl acetate, water, ethanol, acetone, as well as other chemical substances. It comes in a liquid or paste form then it hardens as it dries to hold materials together.

It’s very simple to use and can be applied to various kinds of surfaces such as wood, ceramic, metal, rubber, as well as different kinds of paper. It’s also very accessible and cheap compared to other kinds of glue.

Speaking of synthetic glues, you can learn the difference between them and animal glues in this post on are glues made from horses here.

Can Elmer’s Glue Be Used to Preserve a Puzzle?

Elmer’s glue can be used to preserve a puzzle for various reasons.

It will be able to form a strong bond with the surface of the material which will effectively hold the pieces of the puzzle together for a long time.

It dries clear which means it will not be too noticeable or look unpleasant when applied on the puzzle picture so you can frame it and hang it on your wall.

It is easy to spread on the surface of the puzzle. However, some kinds of Elmer’s glue have a thick consistency so you might need to mix the glue with some water to make it easier to spread.

How to Glue a Puzzle Using Elmer’s Glue?

Gluing a puzzle using Elmer’s glue is a very simple and quick process. You first need to acquire some materials which are the glue, a paint brush or sponge, and parchment paper

Now, here are the steps you need to follow to glue your puzzle using Elmer’s glue:

  • First, make sure you’re working on a level surface with enough space while gluing your puzzle.
  • Place a parchment paper over your work area. That is because the glue can sometimes seep between puzzle pieces so this will help protect the surface you’re working on and prevent the puzzle pieces from sticking to it
  • Slide your puzzle over the top of your parchment paper. You can use a stiff piece of cardstock by sliding it underneath your puzzle so you can easily transfer it to the parchment paper.
  • Apply a moderate amount of glue to the center of your puzzle. You can always add more glue later if needed. Starting from the center of the puzzle will help prevent you from using too much glue. It will also ensure that the glue will be spread evenly over your puzzle.
  • Use the paintbrush or the sponge to spread out the glue from the center then work your way out to the edges of the puzzle.
  • Keep the glue layer thin and make sure to cover every puzzle piece. Adding a thick layer of glue might cause the puzzle pieces to curl when the glue dries
  • Leave the puzzle in a well-ventilated area to let the glue dry. Make sure not to move the puzzle around or apply too much pressure on it until the glue is fully dried otherwise it might fall apart.

Do You Need to Glue the Back of the Puzzle?

Gluing the front of your puzzle should be enough to hold the pieces together. However, you can also glue the back of the puzzle to achieve the greatest stability and prevent the pieces from coming loose.

After you glue the front side of your puzzle, make sure it’s completely dry before you flip it over. You can flip it over by hand or you can slide the puzzle onto a piece of cardboard then use it to flip over.

Repeat the previous steps on the backside of the puzzle and let it dry completely before framing your puzzle to hang it.

Related Questions

How Long Does It Take for Elmer’s Glue to Dry?

It takes Elmer’s glue between 12 and 24 hours to dry completely. However, this can depend on several factors such as the amount of glue applied to the surface, the kind of surface the glue is applied to, and the temperature of the room you’re working in.

Is Elmer’s Glue Toxic for Children?

Elmer’s Glue is not toxic for children because it’s made from harmless ingredients. It is safe to get on bare skin and it doesn’t emit any kind of harmful fumes when applied to a surface so it’s safe to inhale. However, it’s not recommended that the children eat any amount of glue as it might cause investigation and abdominal pain.

Helpful Resources 

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