Question 1

How did the idea for instagami® come about?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

When did instagami® start?

Accepted Answer

Barbara started working on developing instagami® in 2005.

Question 3

Where does the name ‘instagami®’ come from?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

Why was instagami® patented?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

Is instagami® different from digital greeting cards?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

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?

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

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 instagami® artwork and design, there are no boundaries to imagination. *Wherever possible, 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper is used.

Question 8

How does an instagami® work?

Accepted Answer

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!

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 13

Where is instagami® located?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

Where will instagami® products be manufactured?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 16

When and where can I purchase instagami® origami cards?

Accepted Answer

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.]

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

Do you ship to anywhere in the world?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

Do you ship to Post Office Box addresses?

Accepted Answer

Yes.   Up to 15kg per parcel.

Question 20

How are your shipping fees calculated?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 21

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 22

How long before we receive the product(s)?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 23

Is instagami® friendly to Earth’s environment?

Accepted Answer

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.

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