Custom Puzzles for Businesses, Organizations & Brands
Custom puzzles, without the runaround.
Creating a custom puzzle involves more than putting an image on a box. We help you navigate artwork preparation, piece count, packaging, production, and timelines, with a dedicated project manager who stays with your project from first inquiry through delivery.
Whether you're creating puzzles for corporate gifts, an event, fundraising, direct sales, or your organization's audience, we'll help you find the production approach that makes the most sense for your project.
Starting at 200 puzzles per design.
Custom order window: January 15 to September 15. Orders are placed once we receive final art files, a signed contract, and full payment.
A Better Custom Puzzle Experience
A dedicated project manager
Every custom project has a dedicated project manager: a real person who knows your project, answers your questions, coordinates the details, and stays involved from inquiry through delivery. You'll always know who to ask.
Hands-on puzzle expertise
We're not just sending your artwork to a factory. We make puzzles and import for our brand, so we understand the materials, artwork preparation, piece counts, cutting, packaging, and production details that affect the finished product. We have an established relationship and time our orders to acquire the best pricing. This expertise shapes every project, however it's produced.
Two ways to produce your puzzle
We can help you choose between local Oakland production and our trusted manufacturing partners, depending on your quantity, timeline, budget, specifications, and priorities.
Responsive, clear communication
You'll get timely answers and always know what stage your project is in, what we need from you, what happens next, and when to expect it.
Thoughtful quality control
We care about how the finished puzzle looks, feels, fits together, and arrives in your customer's or recipient's hands. Oakland-made puzzles are produced and checked by our own team. For larger runs, we work with the same manufacturing partners we trust with our own Oakland Puzzle Company titles, chosen for their quality, environmental, and labor practices.
Production that fits your project
Different projects call for different approaches. We'll help you balance quantity, piece count, packaging, turnaround time, manufacturing location, and cost rather than forcing every project through the same production model. While we're here to advise, the control will always be with our customer.
Two Ways to Make Your Puzzle
Made in Oakland
Best when speed and U.S. production matter.
Our Oakland production team produces select custom puzzle formats locally, primarily 300- and 500-piece puzzles, giving us greater hands-on control and a faster path to production.
Local production is ideal for projects where turnaround time or made-in-USA manufacturing is a priority.
Partner Manufacturing
Best when you need scale, flexibility, or a lower unit cost.
Our trusted manufacturing partners allow us to produce larger quantities and 1,000-piece puzzles, and offer a broader range of piece counts, formats, packaging, and specifications. We use these same partners for our own Oakland Puzzle Company titles.
This pathway generally offers lower unit costs and greater production flexibility, with longer lead times.
Not sure which route is right for you?
You don't need to know before you contact us. Tell us what you're trying to accomplish, and we'll help determine the best way to produce it based on quantity, piece count, packaging, timeline, budget, manufacturing location, and how you plan to distribute or sell the puzzles.
What Are Custom Puzzles Good For?
Custom puzzles are particularly well suited for:
- Corporate and client gifts
- Employee appreciation
- Conferences and events
- Fundraising campaigns
- Nonprofits and museums
- Brand and marketing campaigns
- Organizations with an established audience
- Direct-to-consumer sales
- Commemorative projects
- Special events and milestones
Is custom production right for your project?
Custom production tends to work best when you already know who will receive or purchase the puzzles. It's usually a strong fit if you have a defined audience, a corporate gifting need, an event, a fundraising campaign, a direct sales channel, or a specific commemorative project.
It may not be the right fit if you:
- Don't yet have a defined audience
- Need a prototype or printed sample
- Plan to sell primarily through wholesale
- Need fewer than 200 puzzles
Our custom program is built around dedicated project management and careful production, not the lowest price per puzzle. If the lowest possible unit cost is your top priority, a high-volume supplier will likely be a better fit.
How Your Custom Puzzle Project Works
1. Tell us about your project
Share your artwork, desired quantity, piece count, packaging needs, timeline, and how you plan to use the puzzles.
2. We'll recommend a production approach
We'll help you determine whether local Oakland production or partner manufacturing makes the most sense for your project.
3. Review artwork and specifications
We'll help identify potential issues with artwork, sizing, piece count, packaging, or other production details before manufacturing begins.
4. Approve your proof
You'll have two opportunities to review the final artwork and packaging before we move into production.
5. Production
Your dedicated project manager keeps things moving and keeps you informed throughout the process.
6. Your puzzles arrive
Ready for gifting, events, fundraising, or direct sale.
Artwork Rights
Copyright, trademark, and publicity laws limit the images that can appear on a commercial product. We only produce puzzles using artwork, designs, and trademarks that you own or are licensed to use, so we can't produce puzzles that include:
- Logos or trademarks you don't own or have a license to use
- Images of people, whether in a collage or as the subject of the artwork
Custom Corporate Puzzles
Custom puzzles make memorable client gifts, employee appreciation gifts, and event giveaways. We produce branded puzzles featuring your artwork, logo, or imagery, with packaging to match, and your project manager handles the details so your team doesn't have to.
Need a corporate gift without creating a custom puzzle?
We also offer our existing Oakland Puzzle Company designs for corporate gifting. This can be a simple option when you want a distinctive gift without developing a new puzzle.
Volume pricing and availability depend on the design and quantity. Contact us to discuss options.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I place a custom order?
We accept custom orders from January 15 to September 15 each year. An order is placed once we receive final art files, a signed contract, and full payment.
How much do custom puzzles cost?
At our minimum order quantities, mini puzzles start at $5.50 per puzzle, and 500- and 1,000-piece puzzles start at $17.00 per puzzle, plus applicable sales tax. Pricing changes with packaging, add-ons, production location, and time of year, and per-puzzle cost generally drops as quantity increases. We'll give you a detailed quote once we know your specifications.
What is the minimum order for a custom puzzle?
Minimums start at 200 puzzles per design. Some puzzle types have higher minimums, and we'll confirm yours with your quote.
Should I manufacture my custom puzzles in the USA or overseas?
There isn't one right answer. Local production can offer faster turnaround and U.S. manufacturing, while our partner manufacturers offer lower unit costs, greater scale, and a wider range of specifications. We'll help you compare the options for your project.
How long does a custom puzzle take?
Production timelines vary depending on quantity, piece count, artwork, packaging, manufacturing method, and current production capacity. Oakland production is typically the faster option. Partner manufacturing takes longer because of production scheduling and overseas shipping. We'll provide a timeline with your project quote and help you choose the approach that best fits your deadline.
Can you make 1,000-piece custom puzzles?
Yes, through partner manufacturing. Our Oakland production focuses on 300- and 500-piece formats. For 1,000-piece puzzles, available sizes and packaging options depend on the project, and we'll confirm specifics when we quote.
Can I use my own artwork?
Yes, as long as you own it or are licensed to use it. That includes artwork, photography, illustration, or other imagery. We'll review your files and specifications and let you know if anything needs to be adjusted for production. We can't produce puzzles with logos or trademarks you don't have rights to, or with images of people.
Do you offer design help?
We can guide you through preparing artwork for puzzle production, and basic packaging design is included with every custom project. We don't create original artwork, so your puzzle image should be finished before production begins. If you need an illustrator or designer, and we know of one who may be a good fit for your project, we may be able to connect you to one.
Can you include our logo or branding?
Yes, if the logo and branding belong to your organization or you're licensed to use them. We can incorporate logos, messaging, and other organizational elements into custom puzzle artwork and packaging, depending on the project.
What are the packaging options?
Oakland-made puzzles are typically packaged in printed pouches, with custom printed boxes available for some projects. Partner-manufactured puzzles come in a rigid box. Every custom puzzle includes a single-sided reference poster by default. We'll recommend packaging based on how your puzzles will be gifted, sold, or shipped.
What should I look for in a custom puzzle manufacturer?
Look for a manufacturer that can clearly explain its minimum quantities, production methods, materials, lead times, packaging options, and pricing. It's also important to know who will manage your project and how you'll communicate throughout production.
At Oakland Puzzle Company, every custom project has a dedicated project manager who stays involved from the initial inquiry through production and delivery.
Where are your custom puzzles made?
We produce 300- and 500-piece custom puzzles in Oakland, California. Larger runs and 1,000-piece puzzles are made by our overseas manufacturing partners, the same partners we use for our own Oakland Puzzle Company titles. Your production pathway will depend on your quantity, timeline, specifications, and priorities.
Are your puzzles environmentally responsible?
We prioritize recycled materials, responsible sourcing, and thoughtful production practices whenever possible, and we chose our manufacturing partners in part for their environmental and labor practices. Materials for your project depend on the production pathway and specifications, and we'll confirm them with your quote.
Ready to Start?
Tell us about your project, and we'll help you figure out the best way to bring it to life.