FAQ

Finished Product

WHAT CARD SIZES ARE AVAILABLE?

We offer four standard sizes of cards:

Business (B) 2.4in x 3.5in (6cm x 9cm) - rectangle
Small (S): 4.7in x 4.7in (12cm x 12cm) - square
Medium (M): 5.9in x 5.9in ( 15cm x 15cm) - square
Large (L): 5.9in x 6.7in (15cm x 17cm) or 5.9in x 7.5in (15cm x 19 cm) - rectangle

WHAT SIZE CARD SHOULD I CHOOSE?

The card size all depends on the intended effect. A simple card with a minimalist design might look great as a Super Premium card, whereas a more intricate 3D model might require more space in order to fold properly. Overall, larger cards tend to have a more powerful effect than smaller cards.

CAN I ORDER CUSTOM-SIZED CARDS?

Yes! Custom-sized cards are available for an additional cost per card.

WHICH PARTS OF THE CARD ARE CUSTOMIZABLE?

Each card has 4 highly-customizable faces on which you can display a graphic or text: front, back, inside-left, and inside-right. It’s important to note that content placement on the inside faces must accommodate positioning the 3D model. We work with every customer individually to design their unique card.

CAN I USE MY COMPANY LOGO FOR THE 3D MODEL?

Yes! We are happy to work with you to develop a 3D model that represents your logo.

DO CARDS HAVE TO INCLUDE THE AWESOME 3D CARDS PROMOTIONAL INFO?

Yes. We place our logo and either “Designed in Austin, TX” or our URL www.Awesome3DCards.com on the back side at the bottom in small size. We can discuss not placing these two lines on “white label” orders over 5,000 pieces per 3D model. 

HOW MANY PAPER COLORS ARE AVAILABLE?

We currently offer 20+ standard paper colors that are suitable for most cards. You can see a color chart by clicking here. Please note that due to differences in displays and graphics settings, actual colors may be different from what you see on your screen.

If you require an exact custom color, let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your request. Please note that custom paper color increases the cost of each card.

DO YOU USE 8-COLOR PRINTING ON CARD FACES AND ENVELOPES?

Typically, any “printing” on card faces is done as part of the laser-cutting process. This gives results a very luxurious “engraved” look.  If requested, we can arrange 8-color printing on card faces and/or envelopes for an additional charge.

HOW MANY COLORS CAN BE USED FOR THE 3D FOLD-OUT MODEL?

Typically, 3D card models use up to 4 colors, although a total of 6 colors is possible for an additional charge per card.

WHAT KIND OF PAPER DO YOU USE?

We work exclusively with high-quality art paper, typically in the 180-240 gram weight range. This helps ensure clean, precision cuts during manufacturing and a top-quality finished product.

WHAT DESIGNS WORK THE BEST FOR KIRIGAMI 3D MODEL CREATION?

Kirigami design is all about utilizing artful geometry. Because the 3D model “folds” together, designs that utilize symmetry and right angles work best, as opposed to circles, bends, and asymmetry.

3D Model & Design Process

ARE THE CARDS 3-D PRINTED?

No. 3-D “printing” refers to using special equipment that moves in 3 dimensions (left/right, forward/back, and up/down) to build a physical object out of plastic, resin, or metal as numerous layers are deposited. Awesome 3D Cards feature a Kirigami (cut paper) model that is flat (2-dimensional) when the card is closed and that “pops up” when the card is opened. In this way, the model transforms into a representation of a 3-dimensional object. All Awesome 3D Cards are hand-assembled from laser-cut paper, not “fabricated” on 3-D equipment.

ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON CUSTOMIZING A CARD DESIGN?

Each card consists of two layers of card stock (one color on the outside of the card and a contrasting color on the inside). Text, graphics and logos are laser cut into each layer of card stock, so in order to ensure the “opposite” color paper is visible through the cuts, we need to be careful that laser cut areas do not overlap. Put another way, we don’t want to have holes through the card due to “overlapping” cuts. Generally, we can make almost any graphic or text fit provided we are given a reasonable degree of flexibility with regard to spacing and layout.

HOW MANY DRAFTS ARE THERE FOR A CUSTOM 3D MODEL?

The cost of our custom 3D model services includes a collaborative, iterative process with up to 3 revisions from the initial model draft to the final approved product.

I’M NOT AN ARTIST BUT I WANT A CUSTOM MODEL – HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Simply send us pictures, graphics, and/or inspiration for what you’d like, and our skilled design team will take it from there to create a one-of-a-kind 3D model. Not sure where to start? Contact us and we’ll arrange a complimentary phone call or Zoom meeting to start brainstorming your model.

WILL I RECEIVE A PHYSICAL SAMPLE OF MY CARD TO APPROVE BEFORE PRODUCTION?

Because cards are made to order in Vietnam, we’re unable to produce individual physical sample cards/proofs. However, our thorough design process includes visual mock-ups of the 3D model and card text/graphics which we’ll e-mail to you for approval prior to production.

CAN I GET SAMPLES OF PAPER STOCK MAILED TO ME?

Rather than sending individual paper stock samples, we typically send pre-existing sample cards to inspect color and paper quality up close. However, if necessary, we can send a limited number of samples upon request.

Pricing

HOW ARE THE CARDS PRICED?

Pricing is based on the size of the finished card, as referenced above (B,S,M,L).

DO YOU OFFER VOLUME DISCOUNTS?

Yes!  We have a tiered discount schedule, meaning that the percentage discount increases with higher quantities ordered.  Contact us for a current price list.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE CARD?

Our pricing includes the cost of manufacturing the cards, and on all but the Business size also includes an easy-seal white crème colored envelope and plastic protector sleeve for each card.

There’s no charge to use one of our pre-existing 3D models. However, custom 3D model designs cost an additional USD $300. Please note that the custom design charge is applied regardless of whether you choose to manufacture the card. So, for example, if we design a 3D model and you then decide not to order cards, we still have to charge you for the design. That’s only fair, right?

Shipping and sales tax will be added to orders as applicable and postage costs for sending the card are not included.

DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE SHIPPING?

Our listed prices include local delivery in the Austin, TX metropolitan area. Customers pay for shipping to locations outside of the Austin metro area. Shipping costs vary based on size of order, distance from Austin, and shipping method used.

DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE SALES TAX?

Sales tax is added to orders as required by Texas law.

We charge sales tax for cards delivered within the state of Texas.

We do not charge sales tax for out-of-state shipments, or to customers who hold a resale sales license certificate.

Model design fees are not taxed

WHAT’S THE COST OF POSTAGE TO SEND A CARD?

Mailing costs as of 3/1/22 are (1st class postage is currently $0.58):

  • Business (B): not designed to be mailed
  • Small (S): $0.88/card (additional $0.30/card)
  • Medium (M): $1.08/card (additional $0.50/card)
  • Large (L) & Custom: $1.08+/card depending on specific size. Please check with your local post office for 100% accuracy.

Please Note! USPS postage charges are subject to change. Please check with your local post office when you are ready to mail your Awesome 3D cards so there is no interruption for your customers, employees, and partners to receive your message!

Cards with inserts or “dense” models may require more postage. Postage is not included in our pricing.

DO YOU OFFER VOLUME DISCOUNTS FOR LARGER QUANTITIES?

Yes! We offer discounts on orders of 250 cards or more.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM CARD ORDER QUANTITY?

The minimum order size is 150 cards for B, S, M ,and L sizes except for Ready-2-Go cards where the minimum order size is 25 cards.

WHY DO YOU HAVE A MINIMUM ORDER QUANTITY?

We have a minimum order size because we do not sell retail direct to consumer. We only sell wholesale, B2B, to companies and organizations.

WHEN IS PAYMENT DUE?

We typically take a 50% deposit to get the process started and the balance is payable in full just before we deliver your cards.

Ordering

HOW DO I PLACE AN ORDER?

Because every card batch is custom-designed to meet your specific needs, to initiate an order, we need to have a conversation about your card.  If you'd like to set-up a Zoom meeting to discuss placing an order, please click here to go to a scheduler page where you can pick a time that works for you.

WHAT ARE YOUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS REGARDING ORDERS?

We have an entire page dedicate to just that topic.  Please see our Order Terms & Conditions page.

Miscellaneous

WHEN WILL MY CARDS ARRIVE?

For custom cards, we ask that you allow up to 60 days from confirmed order date to delivery in Austin, Texas. However, if you’ve printed with us in the past or choose a pre-existing 3D model, the process can take as little as 30 days.

WHAT IF I NEED CARD DELIVERY OUTSIDE OF AUSTIN, TX?

Once we complete quality control in Austin, TX, we can ship cards to any location in the US or Canada. Please note that the customer assumes the cost of shipping.

CAN I SPLIT AN ORDER AND HAVE PARTIAL QUANTITIES OF THE FULL ORDER DELIVERED TO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS?

Yes! Delivery of full or partial orders to the Austin area is free. Full or partial orders to other locations will be shipped using a service of the customer’s choice.

DO I REALLY NEED PLASTIC PROTECTOR SLEEVES? CAN I OMIT THAT FROM MY ORDER?

We strongly recommend plastic protector sleeves for each card in order to protect them during transit from Vietnam to Austin, TX, to their final destination. However, we can omit the plastic protector sleeves at your request.

CAN I ORDER EXTRA ENVELOPES?

Yes, you may order extra white crème envelopes for an additional cost.  Business size cards do not include envelopes.

DO YOU HAVE A CUSTOMER REFERRAL PROGRAM?

Awesome 3D Cards is happy to offer a monetary referral fee for closed sales orders. Please contact us and let us know if you would like to discuss our referral program.