~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Ultimate "Missing Piece" DIY Guide

Step 1: Capture the Gap [Download PDF Guide Link]

Place your puzzle on a flat surface in bright, natural light.

1. Take a nearby "surrounding" piece that is already connected to the gap and pull it aside slightly.

2. Position your smartphone directly above the gap, keeping it perfectly level to avoid perspective distortion.

3. Snap a clear photo that includes both the empty hole and at least one reference piece (this helps the generator scale the size correctly).

Step 2: Generate Your Template

Head to the Missing Puzzle Piece Template Generator.

1. Upload your photo.

2. Follow the on-screen prompts to trace or align the gap.

3. Download the custom PDF or image file and print it on a standard sheet of paper.

Step 3: Match the Thickness (The Secret Sauce)

Most high-quality puzzles (like Cobble Hill or Eurographics) are made of 1.5mm to 2mm blue or grey chipboard. To recreate this:

1. Measure the thickness of a real piece using a digital caliper or by stacking scraps of cardboard.

2. Use heavy-weight chipboard (approx. 1.5mm) or layers of thin cereal box cardboard glued together.

3. Use a permanent spray adhesive or a thin layer of acid-free glue stick to attach your printed template onto the cardboard. Avoid "wet" glues like school glue, as they can warp the board.

Step 4: The Precision Cut

Don't use standard office scissors; they will crush the edges of the cardboard.

1. Place your cardboard on a self-healing cutting mat.

2. Using a precision craft knife (like an X-Acto knife) with a fresh #11 blade, slowly trace the outline of the template.

3. Pro Tip: Make multiple light passes rather than one heavy cut. This prevents the cardboard from tearing.

Step 5: Texture and Color Matching

Once the shape is cut, it’s time to make it blend in.

1. Coloring: Use fine-point alcohol markers or acrylic paint pens to match the image colors. Since you are working with a print-out, you can also use matte fixative spray to protect the ink.

2. The "Finish": Most puzzles have a linen or glossy finish. Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge (Matte or Gloss) or a clear acrylic sealer to match the sheen of the rest of the puzzle.

3. The Edges: If the white "core" of the cardboard shows on the sides, use a neutral grey or blue marker to color the edges of your new piece so it disappears into the gap.

Step 6: The Final Fit

Gently press your new piece into the hole. If it’s a tight fit, use a fine-grit sanding stick (or a nail file) to lightly shave the "nubs" (tabs) until it clicks into place perfectly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~