Custom Puzzle - Merry Christmas

What Makes Your Custom Puzzles Different from Standard Photo Puzzles?

Our custom puzzles are laser-cut from 4mm thick sustainably harvested wood, feature intricate whimsical pieces, and come in elegant, collectible packaging—unlike mass-produced cardboard photo puzzles.

What is the Difference Between Portrait and Landscape for Custom Puzzles?

The difference between portrait and landscape is about orientation:

• Portrait is taller than wide, like a book page or an upright phone.

• Landscape is wider than tall, like a monitor or phone sideways.

So, the key difference is:

• Portrait = vertical layout (height > width)

• Landscape = horizontal layout (width > height)

We reserve the right to adjust your puzzle selection to match the orientation of the image you have chosen. And to crop or skew your image slightly, to make it fit the puzzle size selected.

Can I Choose the Artwork or Photo for My Custom Puzzle Design?

Yes, you can upload your own image. You’re the artist—each custom puzzle from a photo is created using the image you provide. If you did not take the picture, please ensure the copyright holder authorizes you to use the selected image.

What Image Resolution Is Best for Creating a High-Quality Custom Puzzle?

For best results, upload high-resolution images (at least 300 DPI) that are well-lit and in focus. Images may be in portrait or landscape orientation, but not in a square format. The minimum file size is 1 MB, and the maximum is 10 MB. Accepted file formats are .jpg and .png only. Please avoid screenshots, extreme panoramas, or images from social media. We DO NOT provide image manipulation or correction. You are responsible for image quality and resolution.

Remember, if you start with a blurry image when you upload it, it will become a puzzle with a blurry image when we cut it.

What size should my image be?

The small custom puzzles are 13" X 10". They require an image of 3975 X 3075 pixels. 

The large custom puzzles are 15" X 11". They require an image of 4575 X 3375 pixels.

Can I Add a Personalized Message or Name to the Custom Puzzle Design?

Yes! You may personalize the puzzle box with a title or message (Title), as well as the creator's name (Created By:). This makes for a meaningful and unique puzzle gift.

25 maxium characters per line.

How Many Pieces Can I Select for My Custom Puzzle, and How Difficult Will It Be?

Choose 260 pieces (moderate) or 475 pieces (challenging). Both offer Level 2–3 difficulty and are true personalized puzzles for adults.

Extra Difficult puzzles are quite a bit more challenging (3+), in both sizes.

Do Your Custom Puzzles Include the Same Whimsical, Artistic Cuts as Your Other Wooden Puzzles?

Yes, each puzzle features whimsical figural pieces—playful shapes reflecting the theme of your image—while maintaining Nautilus’ signature artistic style.

Extra Difficult puzzles have a tesselated cut with minimal variation in  shapes and no extra whimsy pieces.

How Long Does It Take to Create and Ship a Personalized Wooden Puzzle?

Custom puzzles are cut to order and typically require 7-10 business days for production. If you order both a regular and a custom puzzle together, the regular puzzle may be held until the custom puzzle is ready to ship. If you prefer to receive the regular puzzle sooner, please place separate orders. Shipping estimates will be provided at checkout.

Please Note: Custom Puzzles do not qualify for Free Shipping.

Will I See a Preview of My Custom Puzzle Before It’s Made?

Yes, you will see a preview of your image when you upload it to the website, and you can crop it and center it to fit the finished puzzle specifications.

What Makes a Good Picture For a Custom Puzzle?

Consider your image chopped up into 260 - 475 puzzle pieces. Is there a good range of colors? Are there different textures and patterns? Too much blue sky or foliage can make for especially frustrating puzzles. As can photos where the subject is too far in the distance, or the people are not centered. Avoid large white areas, as too much plain white area makes the cut lines stand out and detracts from the puzzle image. The best custom puzzles feature a range of colors and textures, a balanced composition, and engaging subject matter.

What Makes a Good Picture For an Extra Difficult Puzzle?

Typically images of people do not make good extra difficult puzzles. There are many more cut lines in an extra difficult puzzle, and those cuts may intersect in people's faces, which makes for a disappointing puzzle, especially, if you want to frame the final result. 

Extra Difficult puzzles also have irregular edges so a lot more of the image is lost in the cutting process. If choosing the extra difficult designs, make sure you dont have any text or important parts of the image close to the edges as they will be lost.

Can I Get a Custom Puzzle in an Irregular Shape?

All custom puzzles are produced in a rectangular shape—portrait or landscape—matching the aspect ratio of your submitted image. Square, irregularly shaped, and bordered puzzles are not available.

Can I Request Custom Pieces/Whimsy Shapes?

Please select a die-cut design from our custom range that most closely matches the theme or intended message of your image. We are unable to accept requests for custom whimsy shapes. 

Can I Reorder a Custom Puzzle?

If you purchase additional copies of the same size and image, you can save on multiple copies. Use the codes on the product page to save 10% on two or more items, or 25% on ten or more of the same image. The discount will be applied at checkout when you use the code. If you wish to order more copies at a later date, we can still apply the discount. Please contact us at help@nautiluspuzzles.com.

Can I Return a Custom Puzzle?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns for custom puzzles, as they are made specifically to order. Please check your image carefully using the crop and edit tool before adding your custom puzzle to your cart.

Do You Provide Replacement Pieces for Missing Pieces For Custom Puzzles?

We cannot provide replacement pieces for custom puzzles, as each is unique.

Where Are Nautilus Puzzles Made?

All Nautilus Puzzles are made in the USA at our warehouse in sunny, central California.

If you order before 2:00 p.m. Pacific, your order will be shipped that day. Orders after 2:00 p.m. are shipped the next business day (M—F).

Delivery charges are calculated at checkout based on the weight/volume of your shipment and the shipping address.

USA Free Shipping: Offered on orders over $75 in value. Typically takes 8 - 10 Business Days, and the last mile is delivered by USPS. Please choose a paid shipping method if you cannot receive USPS delivery or if you are shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorates, APOs, FPOs, or P.O. Boxes.

USPS Ground Advantage: 6 - 8 Business Days

UPS Groundsaver/Surepost: 7 - 9 Business Days

USPS Priority Mail: 2 - 4 Business Days

USPS Priority Mail Express: 1 - 3 Business Days

UPS 2nd Day Air: 2 Business Days. No Saturday Delivery

UPS Next Day Air: 1 Business Day. No Saturday Delivery

For your peace of mind, all orders are sent using a tracked courier service. Once your order has been picked up, you will receive an email with the tracking details, allowing you to monitor your shipment's progress.

Orders outside the U.S. are not eligible for Free Shipping. Please choose your paid shipping method during checkout. We offer DHL, UPS, and USPS Priority Mail for international shipments.

Customs and Import Duties: If your puzzles are being delivered outside the USA, your order may be subject to import fees. These are stipulated by each individual country and are not collected or remitted by Nautilus Puzzles. Unfortunately, as we cannot advise you on the amount of these fees, we recommend contacting your country’s customs office or tax agent for the respective rates.

Returns - Peace of Mind Guaranteed: If you are less than delighted with your new puzzle, you can return it to us within 30 days of receiving your order for a full refund or store credit. We ask that it be unused and in its original condition and packaging (shrink-wrap not removed).

If you contact us in advance, we can email you a prepaid shipping label that you can print and affix to your return. To request this label, simply provide your order number and reason for return to our customer service team at help@nautiluspuzzles.com. Shipping costs will be deducted from your refund/credit, but they are charged at our volume discount shipping rates rather than the standard retail rate.

Please note we can only accept custom puzzles for return or refund if there are quality issues, as these items have been produced specifically for you.