Like most people, I have family that lives far away and I hate it, but I guess I understand. That being said, we have been able to be creative with mailing things and that is super fun for the kids. Check out what we are sending now: Photo Puzzles! You guys, these are the coolest things to DIY. So simple and adds a personal touch to a fun gift.
Supplies Needed:
Blank Puzzle (I use “Create Your Own Puzzle”)
Favorite photos
Printer (as always, we use Canon PIXMA iP8720 Crafting Printer)
x-acto knife
Legal size envelope for mailing
Step #1: Choose the perfect photo
I am a huge believer that you should print your pictures! If we don’t print them or display them then why do we take them. {We even have a nice and easy post on organizing digital photos from a great photographer friend of ours.}
Anyway, go through all your digital photos and pick one that will mean something to the recipient. Choose a photo that will jog a pleasant memory or ensight loud laughter! I choose a favorite picture of my mom with my nieces and nephews on a very special day.
Step #2: Printer Settings
Here you will choose the size and what kind of photo printing you wish to do. You can choose “photo on plain paper” or “photo on glossy paper.” I choose the glossy paper setting so the color would be as bright as if I printed a picture to frame.
My blank puzzle is the size of a sheet of printer paper (US letter size), so I selected US Letter and borderless. Selecting “borderless” ensures that your photo will print to all the edges and leave no white space.
Step #3: Print the Photo
Insert the puzzle into the printer and send the photo to print. I watched it print the entire time to make sure nothing came apart of got jammed or something. (Truth: I have never printed on a puzzle before this; good thing it worked out) Everything turned out awesome!
Step #4: Xacto Knife Time
Take a sharp xacto knife and CAREFULLY cut the pieces apart. Most of them rip apart just fine, but some of them need help from the knife.
Step #5: Ready to Mail
Print a small copy of the photo so the kids (and adults) have a guide when piecing the puzzle together. Put the photo and the puzzle pieces in an envelope with a little note and head to the post office!
Wouldn’t it be fun to get this in the mail? Heck yes!
Post by:
what kind of printer and did you change any paper settings. Im nervous the bkank puzzle will be here sunday and we are doing christmas presents sunday night
I use the Canon Pixma printer and would not recommend this in just any printer 🙂 You could also go to your local printing shop!