There are 3 paths you can go to start your jigsaw puzzle business.

Path 1: The Small Budget / Bootstrapped Startup

This is a very common and practical way to start. You act as the designer and assembler, outsourcing the most capital-intensive step (printing) and handling the cutting yourself.

Machines & Equipment Needed:

• 1. Hydraulic Clicker Press (e.g., HG-E120T, HG-E180T, E220T): This is your core machine. 

  • Specs: A 120-ton press with a 600mm x 500mm platen is a good, versatile size for small puzzles and allows you to use standard "off-the-shelf" die sizes.（120 tons can cut 100 pcs, 200 pcs, 220 tons can die cut 500 pieces.）
    
    Clicker press model introduction with cutting dies showing: https://www.hgcuttingsystems.com/?Jigsaw-Puzzles-category213.html
    
    

  • Function: It uses immense pressure to force a custom die through the printed puzzle board, cutting all the pieces in one "click."

• 2. Custom Steel Rule Dies: This is your mold. You need one unique die for each puzzle design you create.

  • Cost: This is a significant recurring cost. A die for a 100-piece, 200-piece, 300-piece, 500-piece puzzle can cost $300 - $1,200+ depending on complexity and the die-drawing. (Japanese quality and sharp knife 23.8mm, we can have you the good price.)

  • Process: You provide a digital file of your desired cut pattern, or you offer the idea, such as length and width, and choose the pattern (Let me know if you need the pattern). We craft the die with sharp steel blades bent into that exact shape.

• 3. Outsourced Printing: You will work with a professional printing shop.

  • Your Role: You provide them with a print-ready, high-resolution file of your puzzle image.

  • Their Role: They print this image onto large sheets of 2mm greyboard (the standard puzzle core) at the correct size for your die. They will laminate it with a glossy or matte finish.

• 4. Manual Labor Station:

  • Work Tables: Large, clean surfaces.

  • "Tapping" or "Depuzzling": After cutting, the puzzle pieces are still locked in the printed sheet (the "skeleton"). Workers manually knock them out by flexing the sheet or tapping it on a table edge.

  • Quality Control (QC): Workers visually inspect pieces for any uncut "nibs" and remove them.

  • Counting & Bagging: Pieces are counted (often by weight for speed) and placed into plastic bags.

  • Box Assembly & Sealing: Bags and poster sheets are placed into folded cartons, which are then sealed by hand with stickers or tape.

Pros of this Path: Lowest initial machine investment. You have full control over the cutting and quality of the final product.
Cons of this Path:  Labor-intensive. Scaling up production volume is slow.

Please contact us by email or what'sapp if you need the update news for the 2nd and 3rd path. Will update soon.