The Pricing of Jigsaw Puzzles: What You Get for Your Money
Puzzles come in a wide range of prices, and there's something for everyone, no matter what your budget is. What determines the cost of a puzzle? Is a pricier puzzle always better?
What Determines the Price of a Jigsaw Puzzle?
Several factors influence the price of a jigsaw puzzle, but the most obvious one is the material: the type (cardboard, plastic, metal or wood), amount (how big the puzzle is and how thick the pieces are), and durability of the materials used impact the cost of the puzzle directly. Wooden and metal puzzles and eco-friendly materials tend to be more expensive. Special features such as anti-glare finishes, unusual and custom shapes (e.g. random cut and shaped puzzles), or foil accents will increase the price. These features enhance the overall experience, but each also adds the production costs.
Generally, the more pieces a puzzle has, the higher the cost is. Larger puzzles require more material, time to manufacture, and often feature more intricate designs. If you’re struggling to understand the pricing of large puzzles (over 3000 pieces), Anne Mie (IG @puzzle_unicorn) has developed a system worth sharing: “I tried to figure out how long it would take me to assemble the puzzle. Then I calculated the cost for an hour assembling and then I compared it with the price for a cinema entrance,” she says and continues: “If it was around equal I was totally fine to pay the price for the puzzle.”
The price can increase when the puzzle features high-quality, original artwork – especially from renowned artists, or features licensed artwork (e.g. popular movies or famous artworks). In addition, established puzzle brands, who are known for high-quality products, may charge more due to their reputation and customer loyalty.
Is a More Expensive Puzzle Worth It?
Whether the premium puzzle is “worth it” depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re a casual puzzler, affordable or medium-priced puzzles can offer plenty of enjoyment. However, if you want a long-lasting and more intricate puzzle experience, investing in a premium option can be a rewarding experience. Let's break down the three main price categories – affordable, medium, and premium, and discover what each has to offer.
Affordable Puzzles: Budget-Friendly Fun
Affordable jigsaw puzzles (below 20€) are widely available and perfect for those who enjoy puzzling without breaking the bank. From this price range you might find smaller puzzles with excellent quality and relatively higher price, and bigger puzzles with average quality and relatively lower price: the piece count typically ranges from 100 to 1000 pieces. Affordable puzzles are often made from cardboard, and I’d say the bigger the puzzle the thinner the cardboard, which might lead to wear and tear, especially if you plan on assembling them multiple times. Usually the images originated from image banks, however, small piece count puzzles may also feature artists' artworks.
Perfect For: Beginners, children, or anyone looking for an affordable, simple puzzle experience. Small high-quality puzzles are also great for gifting.
Medium-Priced Puzzles: A Balance of Cost and Quality
In the medium price range (20-35€), you’ll find puzzles that offer a noticeable step up in quality, design, and durability. The piece count ranges from 500 to 2000 pieces, providing more complexity and time investment than cheaper options. These puzzles are usually made with higher-quality cardboard that holds up well over time. You’ll also find small piece count wooden puzzles from this price range. Medium price puzzles often feature well-known artists’ works or custom artwork and some puzzles in this range include special finishes like anti-glare or linen textures, which enhance the puzzling experience. Many medium puzzle brands also prioritize eco-friendly materials, like recycled cardboard, vegetable-based inks, and biodegradable packaging.
Perfect For: Regular puzzlers who want a high-quality experience without the premium price tag. For puzzlers looking to minimize their environmental impact, seeking a puzzle made with sustainable practices to align with their values. Ideal for families or hobbyists looking for long-lasting puzzles that can be completed multiple times.
Premium Puzzles: High-End and Collectible
Premium puzzles (over 35€) are a true investment. You’ll find the biggest piece counts, made-to-order or hand-made products and limited edition puzzles from this price range – in addition to rare vintage puzzles. The quality of materials is typically top-notch: premium puzzles often use quality cardboard, wood, or other premium materials. Wooden puzzles, in particular, are highly durable, making them heirloom-quality products. Many premium puzzles present exclusive art from famous artists and photographers, or custom designs, making them unique and collectible. The artwork is typically high-resolution and vividly printed. Some of them may also have special features, such as unique or irregular shapes, velvet finish, foil accents, or specialized packaging. In general, every detail is thought through and finished carefully, for instance, the puzzle dust is removed from cardboard puzzles, or it’s non existing due to the materials used.
Perfect For: Dedicated puzzlers and puzzle collectors. Ideal for puzzlers who appreciate quality or are looking for a puzzle to highlight some special occasion.