Puzzle makers worldwide have seen an unexpected increase in sales. Putting puzzles together is a pastime many people enjoy, and puzzles have been flying off the shelves as people look for ways to stay active inside while social distancing.
The growing demand for fun, engaging puzzles has caused manufacturers to increase production while others worry about running out of inventory. As an adhesive supplier, we’ve recently been asked how our glues can be used in the puzzle-making process.
So let’s break down some of the top questions puzzles manufacturers have been asking piece by piece.
What is the Most Popular Glue in Puzzle Manufacturing?
Gelatin glue, or Protein glue, is the most commonly used glue when creating puzzles. Liquid white glues are another popular choice. These glues can be used to make jigsaw puzzles and the box the pieces come packaged in.
Why is Gelatin Glue Popular for Puzzle Making?
When manufacturing puzzles, you need to work with a fast-drying glue. Gelatin and liquid adhesives are used for puzzle making because of their fast dry times.
Creating a puzzle is a simple process. Most modern jigsaw puzzles are made from paperboard. A printed picture is glued to a piece of board before being cut into jigsaw pieces by a die-cutter.
If your glue is still wet during the cutting process, you run the risk of dulling the die-cutter blades or causing the pieces to warp. Having warped puzzle pieces ruins the enjoyment of putting them together. Using a fast-drying glue during the manufacturing process is the key to having a flat, easy-to-cut puzzle.
Does Gelatin Glue Come in Different Formulations for Specific Substrates?
Yes. Generally, gelatin glue is best used with paper products. Most jigsaw manufacturers use 60 or 70 lbs weight paperboard, but some puzzles use specialized paper. We supply various mixtures of gelatin glues to meet specific requirements, the most popular being NW0139CRC, NW0560CRC, and NW0561CRC.
When working with a glue supplier, it’s important to know the exact kinds of paperboard you are using. That way, the adhesives experts can work with you to create a formulation tacky enough to adhere and dry quickly to your materials.
Improving Your Puzzle Manufacturing Process
Moisture and paperboard don’t mix! Having a climate-controlled environment is one of the best ways to improve your puzzle manufacturing process. Working in a humid warehouse can warp the paperboard and cause glue opening times to extend, making a sticky, uneven mess.
If you can’t control your working environment, additives can be added to the glue to change the drying time. Slowing the speed of your laminating and die-cutting equipment can also help prevent problems in your production line if your adhesive is not drying quickly enough.
Glue can be tricky to work with as many variables like temperature, application speed, and surface material need to be considered. If you’re puzzled about how to improve your manufacturing process? Our adhesive experts can help.
