Help and advice needed on special project

[Kris Martinson]

I need help with a scrolling project that I tried for the first time. I came up with this idea myself, but I'm sure it has been done before with much better success than I had.

 

I tried to make a "jigsaw puzzle" for my grandson using a photograph of his family. Using the decoupage method, I printed the photo on a laser printer, then glued it to a 1/2" thick plywood sheet using ModPodge for glue. Then I covered the photo surface with two coats of the ModPodge. I covered the entire surface with Frog Tape, then glued my puzzle pattern on and began cutting.

 

When I tried to remove the pattern and Frog Tape, it pulled the photograph paper layers apart and ruined the project. So...does anyone know a better way to attach and protect the photo on the  backing wood so that it won't separate?

[MrsN]

I have had some success with a harder finish, like laquer or poly (water based so it doesn't yellow the photo). ModPodge is very peely for me, so a finish coat hardens it up a bit.

it works well to stack a sacrificial piece on top for the pattern. 

[Kris Martinson]

Thanks, MrsN. Both recommendations make perfect sense. I'll try them both today.

[dgman]

Try cutting the puzzle free hand without a pattern!

[Kris Martinson]

I would do that, Dan, but I am cutting letters and I have to get the size and spacing just right.

[DWSUDEKUM]

Like MrsN has mentioned using lacquer has worked quite well for me in the past.  Another thing to do is to sandwich the puzzle between a couple of thin sacrificial pieces of 1/8 ply tape it all together put your pattern on the sacrificial pieces that way when you remove the sacrificial pieces your puzzle is intact and still solid.

 

DW

[heppnerguy]

I would glue the pattern to a scrap piece and and stack cut it. 

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[Phantom Scroller]

MrsN is spot on I use standard pva glue & spread with a credit card onto the wood then attach the picture place a piece of ply on top with weight on until dry then sellotape ply to it as scrap piece and cut the puzzle. I use a special puzzle coating you buy from a craft shop and bob's your uncle. Roly 

[Kris Martinson]

Thanks everyone. I'm off to try your suggestions. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Travis]

You can try putting the Glad Press And Seal (the stuff you use for food.  Here's a pic.)  onto the puzzle.  Then attach the pattern to the Press And Seal.  It should stick to the ModPodge pretty well.  I'd opt for a acrylic spray coat instead of ModPodge, though.  I think it seals it better.  Plus, I think ModPodge is water soluble.  So it would come off when water (or slobber if we're talking about a little one) comes in contact with it.

[amazingkevin]

boy,its been some time since i did puzzles,i could have answered all your questions back then but looks like i forgot all i knew.i think i glued the already sealed photo on the wood and used the opposite glue to stick the pattern on ,so when i but mineral spirits on to remove the pattern it would not loosen the  puzzle glue, i think i sprayed clear coat over the  puzzle before the pattern. hope this helps.

[Kris Martinson]

The new attempt was a total failure. Paper layers separated again. Not gonna try this again. I'll stick to serious scrolling. I thought I could make a cute, quick toy for my grandson, and it turned into a complete nightmare. Never again!

[LarryEA]

Kris, I know a way for you to do it. It is not hard. It is called "Image Transfer'.

Image transfer because the image (Print or picture/color or black) goes on the wood.

No paper on the wood, just the ink.

PM me and I can tell you how or you can look it up by searching for 'Image Transfer'.

I do a lot of image transfers to wood.  Here is a cute one of a foal ...

 

                             

Let me know...

 

[LarryEA]

The new attempt was a total failure. Paper layers separated again. Not gonna try this again. I'll stick to serious scrolling. I thought I could make a cute, quick toy for my grandson, and it turned into a complete nightmare. Never again!

You have one more try in you... image transfer... let me know, I'll tell you how it's done. 

[wombatie]

Don't give up!  Instead of using a good photo practice with any old photo off the Internet an try all of the different ways everyone has suggested.  Once you have got it right you will know for next time.  But PLEASE DON"T GIVE UP.

 

Marg

[spirithorse]

Hi, Kris,

I know my reply is a bit late but, I have made a few of these puzzles for newlyweds just as a

little token gift (like a stocking stuffer) and I made it easy on myself.

I did NOT put any coating on the photo. I just glued the photo to the wood and cut it out.

The photo is already on a glossy photo paper and supposed to be water resistant, etc.

It should last for years!
Good luck and God Bless! Spirithorse

[Kris Martinson]

OK...I'll take your good comments and give it some more tries....but not for a while. I need a successful outcome on my next few projects just to get me back in the groove. This one was very frustrating. I think the paper used to print the photo was junk. Also, using ModPodge was the wrong choice. Oh well....live and learn.

[Travis]

Sometimes its nice to step away, get a few wins under your belt, then come back and give it another go.  The next time you try it, line up 3 or 4 "throw away" experiments before digging into the project that matters.

[Tdub4ever]

I haven't made a puzzles yet, but I kind of have the same problem when I cut BBP. I use the good blue painters tape to attach my patterns to when cutting. I found tho, that when I use it on BBP, when I peel the tape off it leaves holes in the wood. It pulls alot of the wood off and leaves holes. So i bought some of the no name, or cheap BPT to try and it woorks great. It doesn't pull any wood off with it. So now I use the cheap tape for all BBP projects. It might work for the picture problem too. It's not as sticky as the good tape. Just a thought.