Jigsaw puzzle glue for glossy framed keepsakes: Hasi Puzzle Glue

Not long ago, I went on a trip to Taipei, Taiwan, and picked up a tiny little puzzle from a souvenir shop in Tamsui that wasn't too difficult. Puzzles weren't normally my hobby, so even after finishing it, I worried about how to store it. Just when I was wondering whether putting it in a frame would be enough, I learned that there was puzzle glue that lets you adhere a finished jigsaw puzzle and preserve it for a long time!

Why I chose Hasi Jigsaw Puzzle Glue

The product I used this time was Hasi Jigsaw Puzzle Glue. It is a very, very generously sized 248ml bottle of puzzle glue, and I decided to try it because it is made with non-toxic, water-based PVA and is said to have passed strict standards.

Hasi Puzzle Glue is sold as a finishing adhesive for puzzles, but I think of it as something you can also use more broadly as a coating. It seemed useful not only for puzzles but also for photos, paper, and wood—anywhere you want a thin glossy coating. Since it is water-based, though, use it only where it will not get wet!

How to apply puzzle glue and drying time

The method is very, very simple.

• First, wipe the puzzle surface and place it on a flat work surface.
• Squeeze out a small amount of glue and spread it thinly and evenly over the entire puzzle.
• Wait until the puzzle glue has dried completely.

It takes about 1 hour for the surface to dry and up to 24 hours to dry fully. If you are storing it or displaying it long-term, they say it is a good idea to coat the back as well as the front! Since full drying takes a little while, I think it would be even better to leave it for about a day in a shaded, dust-free spot.

Since it is a chemical product, some people may be a little cautious. It had the safety confirmation marking for household chemical products, and the detailed information on the online sales page also stated that it had received technical certification.

What comes with the glue and dedicated brush

When I opened the Hasi Puzzle Glue package, I found the puzzle glue itself along with a dedicated brush. You really need a tool to spread puzzle glue, so I liked that it was included together.

Rather than an ordinary bristle brush, this one was made of a soft, squishy material. A bristle brush can leave brush marks as you apply the glue, but this one has a smooth finish, so I did not have to worry about that.

And most of all, I was pleased with the huge 247ml volume! That may not mean much on its own, but apparently it can usually be used for 3,000-piece puzzles and up to 5,000-piece puzzles. My puzzle was small, so even a tiny amount was plenty. Now I am thinking of collecting little puzzles here and there as I travel!

For leftover puzzle glue after use, tighten the lid firmly and store it at room temperature away from direct sunlight. They say that if you shake and mix it well before reusing it, it will perform just as it did the first time.

Coating my Taipei souvenir puzzle myself

Anyway! The puzzle I bought after my Taipei trip had a postcard-like picture of Taipei 101 on it. It was also a night-view scene from Xiangshan that I absolutely love. At last, time to start coating the puzzle properly!

Before applying the glue, I recommend laying paper or a mat underneath the puzzle. As you apply it, it is easier than you might think to get a little on the surface below. I worked with a delivery box laid underneath.

The puzzle glue had a double lid. There was a sealed inner cap, plus another outer cap that twisted open. The glue nozzle was shaped a little unusually too; because of that shape, the adhesive came out in two streams, which was kind of fascinating.

Following the instructions, I removed the dust first and then squeezed small amounts of glue over the puzzle. It was not extremely thick, so the glue flowed out easily even with just a slight tilt of the bottle.

Then I spread it evenly with the brush! Since puzzle glue is transparent, I realized that if you apply it carelessly, you can miss spots or end up with an uneven surface. Turning on a flashlight and looking at it slightly from the side helps you apply it more thoroughly!

The edges in particular sometimes puffed up a little while I was applying the glue, so it is good to pay attention to those parts too. Anyway, I concentrated super hard and worked away~ It spread smoothly with a swish-swish, so it was fun even though it was nothing major.. haha

How it looked framed after drying for a day

Since I planned to keep mine in a frame, I dried it thoroughly for about a day before framing it. First of all, I loved that it could be stored without the pieces coming apart, and the subtle glossy sheen made it even better. Thanks to it, I have one more little display piece at home!

From now on, I think it would be nice to buy little puzzles featuring landmarks as travel souvenirs, put them together, and finish them one by one with Hasi Jigsaw Puzzle Glue to build a collection. If you need puzzle adhesive, I recommend giving Hasi a try!