How did the idea for instagami® come about?

The idea for instagami® was borne of a ‘necessity’. It was its inventor's [Barbara Vinecombe] way for steering her mind away from ‘depression’. She did so by focusing her mind completely on creating a new, unique greeting card experience that could be interactively transformed into a 3D physical image …with a built-in ‘wow’ factor. Initially, in a design to suit an 'angel artwork', Barbara imagined her instagami® origami card ‘flying’ all over the world, inspiring people and conveying messages of peace, hope and happiness.

When did instagami® start?

Barbara started working on developing instagami® in 2005.

Where does the name ‘instagami®’ come from?

'instagami®' is a blend of the words ‘instant’ (insta) and ‘origami’ (gami).

Why was instagami® patented?

1. The novelty of instagami® needed official validation. IP protection was also needed for its 'one-of-a-kind' mechanics (how it works) applications, including the uniqueness of an interactive origami 'greeting' card;

2. 10% of the profits from worldwide sales of instagami® is being donated to charitable causes, including for helping innovative ventures, and community, land regeneration, and other worthwhile projects.

3. 100% of the net proceeds [of specially designed instagami® fundraising initiatives] will be made available to NFP organisations with a need for a specific-purpose funding.

In the interest of protecting exclusiveness and uniqueness in our commercial and charitable endeavours, we chose to secure IP protection for instagami® in all major world regions.

Is instagami® different from digital greeting cards?

Yes. instagami® is ‘IS physical , NOT digital'. It is an interactive 3D origami card. [The 3D transformation is instantly done …by you.]

Is instagami® unique and different from traditional paper greeting cards that ‘open & shut’ or ‘pop up’?

To some degree... YES! instagami® adds a ‘New Dimension’ to art expression and to the conveying of one’s feelings through art. instagami®i is 'physical', it's interactive… instagami® ‘bends, intrigues, and excites the mind’

The following quote by Pam Danziger (President of Unity Marketing Inc in Pennsylvania, USA) could well describe instagami® in a 'nut shell':

“Traditional greeting cards were an early 20th century marketing solution designed around technology and consumer expectations from the early 1900’s. The consumer needs that greeting cards were once created to fill, haven’t gone away, BUT the market is ripe for someone to come along with a new 21st century solution that fills that same consumer need today.” Is instagami® this 21st Century Solution?

Are all instagami® really made from only one piece of paper?

Yes! A tough one to believe, but all instagami® origami cards are created from one single flat piece of paper* that you transform into a 3D image…instantly! The

A transformed instagami® can reveal landscapes, oceanscapes, flora, fauna, landmarks, fantasy, ships and airplanes, football teams, critters and creatures, and so on. For an instagami® there are no boundaries to imagination.

*100% post-waste recycled paper is used.

How does an instagami® work?

Easily! You simply bend, lock, peel, flip and stick to reveal what the instagami® design/artwork expresses. WOW! instagami® ‘bends, intrigues, and excites the mind!’ ...and it leaves smiling faces wherever it goes!

What does an instagami®’s ‘WOW’ factor feel like?

It’s an experience to be had. You’ve just got to do one up and send/give one to experience that feeling!

For very special occasions such as anniversaries, are there special instagami® origami cards?

instagami® products are already special ...but for VERY special occasions, please submit your enquiry to hello@instagami.com - together let's see what we can create.

What other artwork and designs have you in mind for instagami®?

Plenty! Walt Disney started with just a mouse ─ Barbara, started with an angel!

We see the instagami® range in the near future to include Angels, Fairies, Rabbits, and Dragons artwork and designs. As we grow, our art-design adaptations will have something for everybody. Abstracts, animals, cities and landmarks (like Corcovado in Rio, the Grand Canyon in the USA, Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney).

What are the ‘special effects’ applied to instagami®… are they biodegradable and eco-friendly?

Our award-winning embellisher craftsmen will skillfully design the embossing dies of each instagami® range. The embossing process requires two dies: one that is raised and one that is recessed, with flat paper stock between them. Then… pressure of up to 300 tonnes is instantly applied. Ouch!!! This creates a ‘raised-effect’ to the paper stock bringing life and vibrancy to shapes and colours of the artwork, thereby further enhancing the artist’s artwork.

Now you know how instagami®’s special effects are created. We do not use any non-biodegradable material (more information in Environmental and Community Responsibilities section of this FAQ).

Where is instagami® located?

Cairns, Queensland, Australia. After launch in Australia, it could be in your country too!

What other instagami® products will you have besides the ones in your shop?

After launch, and we become full on production, we will progressively roll out…

• Other instagami design ranges, such as our ‘G.O.D.’ (Gradients of Difficulty) range; and

• Innovative instagami® adaptations to gift cards, storybooks, colouring books, wedding and party invitations, table setting cards, educational books and more.

Where will instagami® products be manufactured?

• Initially, products are being manufactured and shipped by our manufacturing/logistics partners in Melbourne, Australia.
  

• After we launch and are operating fully, products will be locally manufactured in the regions where most demand exists. Analytics gathered after launch will provide us with this information.

When and where can I purchase instagami® origami cards?

In the 'Shop' section of this website, and at various local weekend markets and stores in the Cairns and Tablelands regions of Far North Queensland. [These locations and the stock range will be trackable in your mobile devices in the near future.]

Is the postage to send an instagami® origami card the lowest possible rate?

YES! The envelope is a ‘Small Letter’ postage category, made from a specially designed die.

Do you ship to anywhere in the world?

Yes. Deliveries can be made to any location in the world serviced by Australia Post.

Do you ship to Post Office Box addresses?

Yes. Up to 15kg per parcel.

How are your shipping fees calculated?

Shipping & Handling fees are Australia Post postage rates plus a nominal charge kept as low as possible to cover packing of the product and delivery to Australia Post. All instagami® product prices ARE inclusive of shipping and handling charges.

I am in the Armed Forces and am posted overseas ― What is the delivery time for my purchases?

Please refer to the Administration Office of your Armed Services location for delivery times. You may also nominate an alternative shipping address.

How long before we receive the product(s)?

The estimated delivery time will be shown in the cart with other details of your purchase. You may also purchase the product at a shop near you in the near future.

Is instagami® friendly to Earth’s environment?

YES. All instagami® products use 100% bio-degradable post-consumer waste recycled paper and vegie inks. Please see ‘Environmental and Community Responsibilities’ section of this FAQ.

Will instagami® have its own Art & Design Awards?

After instagami® is launched and in full production, we will announce an Art & Design Awards to be held by Origamics Arte ("Origamics"). Origamics is a NFP to be established for promoting and acknowledging the skills and talents of artists worldwide.

Registration will be free, and financial incentives accompanying the awards very appealing.

How can I do artwork for instagami®?

Simple... write to arte@instagami.com with samples of your artwork, your full name and address, and tell us a bit about yourself. Artists of accepted artwork samples will then be provided with a commission brief, together with a very appealing Artists Compensation Plan in an 'Artists' Artwork Agreement' for your review and completion.

Please also refer to Terms & Conditions section of this website.

I am a retailer ─ do you have a wholesale division? How can I stock instagami®?

Yes. For wholesale enquiries, please contact Instagami Vending at sales@instagami.com

Will instagami® be sold at vending machines?

Yes. We see Vending Machines as our way to free Stockists' staff from having to attend to sales as cashier. However, Stockists can use their traditional shelves/racks for displaying and selling their instagami® origami greeting card stock if they so wish.

I am a retailer ─ do you have a wholesale division? How can I stock instagami®?

Yes. For wholesale enquiries, please contact Instagami Vending at sales@instagami.com

Will instagami® be sold at vending machines?

Yes. We see Vending Machines as our way to free Stockists' staff from having to attend to sales as cashier. However, Stockists can use their traditional shelves/racks for displaying and selling their instagami® origami greeting card stock if they so wish.