The Illusion of a Missing Piece
Because of how our puzzles are cut, some pieces may appear to fit where they do not belong. We call this a false fit. When it happens, it looks like a piece is missing, when in fact all the pieces are present but one or more are sitting in the wrong spot.
A correctly placed piece slides in smoothly without pressure. If you need to force or tap a piece into position, it is likely in the wrong spot. Even if a piece looks like it belongs, a forced fit usually means it does not. Pieces should fit snugly but without effort.
Please check for false fits before reaching out. This resolves the majority of cases.
The Piece May Be Closer Than You Think
Before concluding that a piece is missing, check the usual suspects. Customers regularly find pieces that had simply slipped away:
A careful look around the room solves most cases.
The Count May Not Match the Website Exactly
Our piece counts are approximate by design. A puzzle listed as 500 pieces may contain 510. A 1,000-piece puzzle might have 1,004. This small variation is a natural result of the handcrafted production process, not an error.
If your completed puzzle has a piece left over, this is almost always the reason.
What Goes Into Each Board
Every puzzle is made to order. The precision involved in producing one board is also why replacing a single piece is not feasible.
Why Individual Piece Replacement Is Not Possible
Each puzzle is made to order with specific stain, paint, and UV printing settings that cannot be exactly replicated. Reproducing a single piece would require nearly the same effort as cutting an entirely new puzzle.
Our laser-cutting process involves manual board placement, which introduces slight natural variations between puzzles. There is no way to match a replacement piece precisely to an existing board.
Unique Production Settings
Each puzzle is cut with settings specific to that order. Those exact settings cannot be reproduced for a single piece.
Equivalent Labor
Reproducing one piece requires almost the same setup and cutting effort as producing a complete new puzzle.
Natural Variation
Manual board placement means no two puzzles are identical. A replacement piece would not match the original cut.
The Blank Piece Option
We understand how disappointing a missing piece can be. If you report one within 30 days of purchase, we will send you a blank jigsaw piece as a gesture of goodwill. It will not restore the image, but it completes the form of the puzzle.
This offer applies to purchases reported within 30 days of the original order date. Email info@whatawoodwork.com to get started.
Still Need Help?
If you have searched carefully and still believe a piece is missing, reach out. We will look into it and provide guidance.
info@whatawoodwork.comThe WAWW Puzzles Team
