I’ve never worked with a paper engineer before—what should I expect?
No worries—we’ll walk you through it! Paper engineering is the specialized skill of creating interactive, dimensional designs with paper. Whether it’s a pop-up card, packaging, or an entire book, we’ll guide you from concept to final design. Most projects start with a Discovery Call so we can learn about your goals, timeline, and audience.

Why hire a Paper Engineer instead of solely relying on an artist or graphic designer?
Artists and graphics designers focus on how things look. A Paper Engineer makes sure it works. We design with technical precision—considering mechanics, materials, and how every piece fits together. So your pop-up isn’t just beautiful, it’s functional and ready to be produced, whether it’s a one-off or a thousand-piece run.

What are common pitfalls when designing pop-up projects?
Making designs too complex can slow down production and increase costs. Rushing the timeline or making lots of late changes often leads to delays. Our expertise can help you avoid these pitfalls with careful planning. With clear, timely feedback, we’ll keep things on track!

How much creative input can I give while working with you?
As much as you’d like—we love collaborating! Some clients come with clear visions, others start with a vibe or theme. Either way, we’ll collaborate with you to create something beautiful, functional, and aligned with your brand.

I’m not sure what I want yet. Can you help me figure out what I need for my custom paper-engineereed design?
Absolutely! Our Discovery Call is designed for exactly this. We’ll explore your goals, audience, and ideas, then suggest formats and paper-engineered solutions that fit. You don’t need a complete brief to start.

How should I prepare for the Discovery Call?
Bring your ideas, inspiration, and any references you love. Filling out the Project Brief with as many details as you can helps us understand your needs better. Also, think about your timeline, budget, and whether you need print-ready files, a prototype, or mass production support. We’ll guide you from there!

What affects the cost of a paper engineered project?
The main factors are size and complexity—more pop-up pieces and moving parts take more time and materials. Extras like foil, embossing, or lights add to the cost too.

Does your paper engineering service come with graphic design or illustrations?
Our core offering is custom paper engineering. Graphic design and illustration are available as optional add-ons. If you already have a designer or illustrator on your team, we’re happy to collaborate! If you need full design support, we can handle that too.

Does it include manufacturing?
Manufacturing isn’t automatically included, but we do offer custom pop-up production as an add-on. Our core Full Rights package includes your print-ready pop-up design and mockup, while production services—like prototyping, print proofing, printing, hand assembly, or specialty paper sourcing—can be added based on your needs. Just let us know how much support you’re looking for, and we’ll tailor a setup that fits your project and budget.

What if I only need ideas or consulting?
You can book us for creative consulting or concept development without committing to full production. We’ll help you explore paper engineering options that fit your goals.

Are there hidden costs I should be aware of?
Nope—we aim for full transparency. Your quote will include everything we’ve discussed, and we’ll flag anything that could affect pricing (like extra revisions, materials, or shipment costs) before moving forward.

Can you help me pitch the concept to my team or stakeholders?
Definitely. We can provide presentation materials as add-ons like process photos, demo videos, prototypes, or a short pitch deck to help you communicate your vision clearly.

Who qualifies for local special rates?
We offer local rates for Philippines-based projects and creators whose work contributes to cultural, creative, or community impact. This includes passion projects, grassroots initiatives, or independent efforts that uplift Filipino identity, creativity, or community well-being.

You might qualify if you’re:
• A local artist self-publishing a zine or art book
• An NGO creating educational or advocacy materials
• A museum or cultural group producing an interactive exhibit
• A small business launching Filipino-made or themed products
• A community org planning a locally rooted event or campaign

If this sounds like you, let us know in your Project Brief. We’d love to explore pricing that helps bring meaningful local work to life.

I’m on a tight budget. Can you still help?
Yes! We’re happy to tailor solutions based on your budget. We can adjust package inclusions, simplify the design, or target a specific price-per-piece if you’re planning for mass production. Just let us know your budget in the Project Brief so we can recommend what’s possible.

How do I know if my pop-up spread is low, average, or high complexity?
We’ll help determine this during your Discovery Call, but here’s a quick overview:
Low: One movement or pull tab, 1–3 pop-up pieces. Perfect for cards or minimal spreads.
Average: 3–10 pieces, moderate layering and mechanics—most pop-up book spreads fit here.
High: Multi-layered, multiple movements, large formats, or custom engineering.

How big can a pop-up spread be?
We can print and produce pop-up spreads up to 12×18 inches. Larger sizes usually need special printers and more manual work, which is less ideal for mass production. We’ve worked with different sizes and can help find the best solution for your project.

How do you ensure the pop-up design is practical for mass production?
We design with real-world constraints in mind—whether it’s hand assembly, specialty materials, or shipping limitations. If your piece needs to be mass produced, we’ll suggest smart ways to simplify the build while keeping the “wow” factor.

Can you match our existing brand design or campaign look?
Absolutely. If you have an existing style guide or campaign visuals, we’ll integrate them into the pop-up structure. If not, we can create a look from scratch or work alongside your designer.

Will I get a physical sample?
Each package includes one mockup to help you visualize and test the design. Need more copies or actual samples for your team or clients? We can provide mockups, prototypes, or print proofs at an additional cost.

What’s the difference between a mockup, prototype, and print proof?
Mockup: A basic sample showing the pop-up’s structure and movement, often made with simpler materials or scaled-down.
Prototype: A polished, high-quality sample closer to the final product, ideal for client approvals.
Print Proof: An exact sample of the mass produced piece, including final materials and finishes, showing what the full run will look like.

Can you send a sample before I book the project?
We don’t send physical samples before a design booking is confirmed. We create your design first, then provide a mockup when it’s finalized. If you want to get a sense of our work beforehand, we’re happy to share photos or examples of past projects similar to what you have in mind—just ask!

What happens if I want to make changes to the design?
Your package includes 1 revision round during the paper engineering stage for the Limited Rights package and 2 revision rounds for the Full Rights package. Additional changes are possible but billed based on time and complexity.

Can I request revisions after I’ve already approved the design?
Small tweaks may be possible, but major changes—especially structural ones—usually count as a new project phase. Since pop-ups are intricate, altering one part can affect the whole. Also, changes after the manufacturing process has started will incur extra costs.

Do you offer rush options?
SOMETIMES—depending on our schedule and project complexity. Rush fees may apply. Please share your deadline early so we can check availability. Note: Rush options aren’t available for mass production projects.

When should I choose Full Rights?
If you’re a publisher, retailer, or want to resell, the Full Rights license is the best choice. You gain full flexibility and control over the design to sell it, modify it, or reuse it multiple times. Do whatever you like with your custom paper engineering—it’s all yours!

When should I choose Limited Rights?
If your project is a one-time campaign, giveaway, or limited use where you don’t need to alter or resell the design, the Limited Rights license offers more affordable access to our creative expertise while still giving you the paper-engineered magic you need. The paper engineering remains under our copyright and cannot be resold or reused commercially.

We’re happy to walk you through the best option during your Discovery Call.

Can I use the design for multiple projects?
Only with Full Rights. Limited Rights allow for single-use only or use cases agreed upon in the Proposal.

Can I start with Limited Rights and upgrade later?
Yes! You can upgrade from Limited to Full Rights anytime for more flexibility. Just reach out, and we’ll adjust terms and pricing.

Can you handle printing and mass production?
Yes! We offer print proofing, prototyping, and mass production services as add-ons. We can also assist with assembly, specialty paper sourcing, and creating assembly instructions for your team or vendors. Important note: Manufacturing is quoted separately from our design services. We can provide a quotation only after the final design has been approved.

Do you ship internationally?
Yes! We offer global delivery for custom pop-ups—including mockups, prototypes, and final pieces. Shipping fees and timelines vary by location and are not included in your project quote. We’ll walk you through the best options and rates once it’s time to ship your order.

Can I get just a dieline or layout file?
The Full Rights package includes editable dielines and print layout files—everything you need to produce the design yourself. The Limited Rights package does not include the production files.

Can you work with my preferred printer or vendor?
Absolutely! We can collaborate with your local or preferred print partner, or handle production ourselves. We also offer documentation (like assembly guides and dielines) to make vendor handoff easy.