Jigsaw Puzzle - How to make a piece to replace a missing one

[dingodudette]

Hi all,

I am in everyone's worst nightmare having found myself at the end of completion of a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle and the final piece is missing.

I have not lost my temper or upset myself over it... YET.

Has anyone ever made a replacement piece in this situation? If so, how? I can probably match the colours according to the picture on the box, but getting an exact fit must be nigh on impossible.

I want to frame it as wall art.

Any help would be fantastic.

[BIM_Engineer · Accepted solution]

@dingodudette...I would suggest these Steps
1.You will need to remove a small section and place it on a scanner
2.Scan to image PNG file format
3.Import into an image editing software package either Corel or Photoshop
4.Create/Paint the missing piece(It will be a bit challenging as the colour matches will differ between the Screen & Print)
5. note the setting/ CMYK numbers/ Brightness/ saturation etc you may need to do several adjustments. ie Trial & Error
6. Paste on cardboard,cut out shape depress edges 

or

Google 

missing puzzle piece photoshop

Download photoshop trial/30day free

and give it a go

or

Try emailing the agents/manufacturers first 
Goodluck

[Kermit]

I kinda like the missing piece there if you were to frame it. Makes it obvious it's a puzzle and is a talking point. It would drive some people crazy though!

I do know many of the high-end puzzle manufacturers offer a service in which they can send you a replacement piece. 

[dingodudette]

Thanks Guys. I'll contact the manufacturer first and then try your suggestions.

[Jason]

Any luck @dingodudette?

Jason

[dingodudette]

Unfortunately, the company has said that they never made a panda jigsaw puzzle (despite the fact that I gave them a photo, the product id and the bar code number)so I will try to do as has been suggested and photoshop it with the free trial.

I've never used photoshop so it will take me some time to learn it. If I succeed, I'll post a photo. Thanks all!

[dingodudette]

An update regarding the jigsaw puzzle...
I was unable to scan from my printer to a PNG file or even a JPEG (it would only do PDF) and after a few hours of bashing my head against the desk, I made a decision.
As the missing piece is located (or rather not located) at the base of the picture, I will cover this up by framing the picture with a matt inner frame that covers the edges of the puzzle.
My gorgeous 90 year old dad is going to make the actual external frame for me as he is a whiz with the mitres.
Photo to come upon completion.

[Jason]

@dingodudette

Great to have a dad that's a whiz! Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Jason

[dingodudette]

Hi all,

What missing piece?

As promised, here is a photo of the finished, framed, problematic panda jigsaw.

It is now up on the office wall giving me a pshychological push when life throws me lemons.

If the piece was in the middle, I probably would have spent more time on construction of the actual piece, but like a good gemini, I've moved on to

find the next challenge.

.