Oakland Puzzle Company Review: Factory-Direct Quality with a Mission to "Do Good"
The Oakland Puzzle Company, run by a brother-and-sister team, manufactures high-quality puzzles in their own Oakland, California factory.
*Originally published on MyPuzzleDay.com —February 21, 2024*
⚠️ Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The Oakland Puzzle Company is a true standout, as the brother and sister team of Dave and DeAnna Tibbs manufacture their puzzles in their very own factory located in Oakland, California. Their motto is “Have fun. Do good,” which they achieve by working directly with local artists and organizations (like Rocket Dog Rescue) and producing high-quality puzzles from 100% recycled materials.
Just The Deets!
• Piece Cut: Available in both Grid Cut and Random Cut
• Piece Fit: Snug
• False Fits: No
• Piece Gauge: 2.0 mm (Premium thickness)
• Puzzle Finish: Matte Satin (Low glare)
• Reference Poster: Yes (8.5″ x 11″, includes mission/artist info on back)
• Dust Level: Minimal
• Puzzle Size 500 Piece: 16″ x 24″ (some art pieces are 16” x 20”)
• Brand Focus: Local manufacturing, high quality, artist collaboration, and giving back.
• Made in USA
Image Quality & Themes
The Oakland Puzzle Company features high-resolution photography and artwork, often focusing on local themes, landmarks, and architecture. They work directly with local artists, resulting in a diverse and colorful catalog:
Oakland Landmarks & City Scenes
Artistic Puzzles
Botanical Wonders
✋ Hands On Experience
Compared to other brands, the Flame Tree puzzle stays securely together for easy section handling, which is a major strength. I was happy to find that the pieces were sturdy and held up well during assembly.
The build experience is excellent, marked by the premium 2.0 mm piece gauge, which gives the pieces a sturdy, substantial feel. The snug fit ensures a cohesive final image. Puzzlers can choose between the traditional challenge of Grid Cut pieces and the variety of Random Cut pieces (one featured puzzle even had tricky edges that weren’t true edges!).
The Matte Satin finish successfully minimizes glare, and the overall quality is impressive. A great touch is the 8.5″ x 11″ reference poster included with every puzzle, featuring information about the company mission, the image, and the artist on the back.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros (The Experience & Quality)
Premium Quality: 2.0 mm piece gauge and a snug fit.
Local Manufacturing: Made in USA in their own Oakland factory.
Eco-Friendly: Made from 100% recycled materials (ESKA blue chipboard).
Great Mission: Supports local artists and organizations (e.g., Rocket Dog Rescue).
Matte Finish: Matte Satin finish prevents glare.
❌ Cons (Minor Imperfections)
Limited Catalog
💡 Final Thoughts: The Verdict
This brand is a fantastic discovery for puzzlers who prioritize quality, unique designs, and supporting local business. The premium 2.0 mm thickness and your choice of Grid or Random cut make for an enjoyable, high-quality build every time.
With their compelling motto, “Have fun. Do good,” and their commitment to artists and community, you can feel great about every puzzle you purchase from them. I highly recommend watching the video below to see their entire process—it is totally cool that they have their own dies and package everything themselves!
🧩 Ready to support a factory-direct American brand?
Visit Oakland Puzzle Company here.
Check out their production video below to see how their puzzles are made.