At Mango Puzzles, we’re obsessed with great artwork. From our very first collection, we learned—thanks to your feedback—that the right image is what gets people most excited about our puzzles. It’s what transforms a pile of 1,000 random pieces into a satisfying, screen-free adventure. And that ties right back to our mission: Pieces Over Pixels.
But choosing the art? That’s a whole process—and honestly, one of the most fun parts of what we do. So here’s a peek behind the scenes at how we go from idea → artist → puzzle box.
1. First Comes the Big Idea
Every new collection begins with a little brainstorming. We get inspired by the everyday—nature, art, architecture. What would we love to piece together? Is it the story within the artwork that fires up our imagination? The geometric shapes and crisp lines that feel so satisfying to complete? Or maybe it’s the bold, contrasting colors that make the whole image pop?
Our biggest inspiration, though? You. We listen to your messages, wishlist items, and “must-haves” for the next drop. We chat with local puzzle boutiques and keep a close eye on jigsaw puzzle trends. We’re always looking to improve and ask, “What would make this even more fun to solve?”
Our goal is always the same: to find that perfect blend of original, eye-catching artwork and a truly enjoyable puzzling experience. Because the best jigsaw puzzles for adults are just as fun to solve as they are to look at.
2. Keeping It Local
One of our core values is supporting independent and emerging artists. We see our quality puzzles as vessels for amazing artwork—and we don’t just go searching randomly. Instead, we follow and admire local talent we’ve discovered through mutual networks, imagining how their art might look in pieces.
As a proud Canadian small business, we’re committed to giving back to our creative community. For this latest collection, we wanted to showcase art that highlights our hometown of Toronto—while also celebrating the diverse styles and voices that surround us.
Then comes the conversation. We love reaching out to artists with our ideas and collaborating on something truly special. It’s all about promoting mindful downtime—and creating puzzles that feel personal and meaningful.
3. Collaboration & Curation
When we find artwork we love, we reach out and start a conversation. This stage is a bit of a two-way vetting process: are we both excited about the collaboration? Do our visions align?
Sometimes we license existing work. Other times, we collaborate with the artist to create something brand new—or adapt a piece so it works better as a puzzle.
We work closely with every artist to ensure their vision shines through, while also making sure the image will translate well into a fun and satisfying 1000 piece puzzle. That might mean tweaking colors, filling in white space, or cropping carefully to preserve the heart of the image.
4. Final Selection & Production
Once we finalize the artwork, it’s time to bring the vision to life. We coordinate with our manufacturer to make sure the printing process captures the full integrity of the art—from color accuracy to fine detail. We obsess (just a little) over the packaging too, because we believe the unboxing should feel as thoughtful as the puzzling itself.
This is the moment when all the pieces—literally—come together. And we can't wait for you to get your hands on them.
We’d Love Your Input!
What kind of art do you love puzzling? Picturesque landscapes? Maximalist chaos? Quirky characters or soothing gradients? We’re always on the lookout for new inspiration—and your ideas help shape what we make next.
Drop us a message on Instagram or send us an email. We’re always listening.
Until then, happy puzzling 🧩
— The Mango Puzzles Team