A Milestone in the History of Jigsaw Puzzles

Oct. 26, 2009 - PRLog -- It is two hundred and fifty years since the first jigsaw puzzle was cut and at last Jigthings have found a way of easily managing jigsaw puzzles in the home.

The main problem with jigsaws is finding a table that is not needed for other things until the puzzle is completed – in the case of a large puzzle this can be several days or even weeks.  Jigthings are not the first people to recognize the problem as evidenced by the plethora of jigsaw puzzle boards, boxes, cases, carriers, holders, mats and rolls that have been introduced.


Until now the focus of attention has always been on packing up the puzzle and putting it away; Jigthings big idea is to leave it where it is, cover it down and forget it’s there……

Each Jigmat comes with two identical parts – one part is used as the “Construction surface” and the other part is used as the “Lid”.  The laminate material used is PolyPropylene on one side and flock (like a snooker table) on the other.  The advantages of this combination are:

1.   The mat always lies flat – unlike traditional jigsaw rolls that always seem to be creased
2.   The flock side “Sticks” to the jigsaw pieces and prevents them falling off the table
3.   The PP side is waterproof and easily wiped clean

One sheet lies on the table (flock side uppermost with the jigsaw pieces arrayed on top of it) whilst the “Lid” is slipped under it for safe-keeping.  Come the time to use the table for something else and the lid is pulled out and laid on top of the puzzle with its PP side uppermost.  Thus the developing puzzle is safely sandwiched between two layers of flock material.

With the “Lid” in place the table can be used as usual.  Glasses, cups, writing equipment can be placed directly on top of it or a table cloth/heat-resistant cloth thrown over it.

Colin King, the managing director of Jigthings said “Jigmat is our most simple idea to date but our consumer trials suggest that it is by far the easiest solution available for jigsaw puzzle management.  My wife can’t understand why I didn’t think of it 20 years ago!”

The Jigthings Puzzle Mat (http://www.jigthings.com/jigsawMATS) comes in 4 different sizes to accommodate puzzles from 500 pieces to 3,000 pieces and prices start at £15.00.  The range of Jigthings puzzle accessories can all be found at the Jigthings website (http://www.jigthings.com) along with videos showing how they are used.  All the products can be purchased direct from the website.

For more information please contact Colin King on telephone 01406 371681 or e-mail colin@jigthings.com

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Jigthings are the World leaders in the development of jigsaw puzzle accessories. The company sells direct to consumers in the UK via its website. Products include puzzle boards, puzzle cases, puzzle frames, puzzle mats and puzzle tables.