Assembly instructions
Five steps. No scissors, no printing. Just fold, glue, and build something you'll want to keep.
First time? Start with the practice kit included in your box. It uses the same techniques as the main model - same folds, same logic, smaller scale. It will feel tricky at first. That's normal, and that's the point.
Punch out and sort your pieces
• Gently push each piece out of the sheet. Work along the edges carefully to avoid any tearing.
• Lay them out and sort by number. The large number printed on each piece tells you the order of assembly. Start from 01 and work up from there.
Work in small batches - detach a few pieces at a time or even better: one piece after the other. Loose pieces get lost.
If a piece resists, run a fingernail along the scored edge before pushing it out.
Work on a clean, clear, dry surface with good lighting. Small pieces are easy to overlook - a tidy workspace makes a real difference.
Watch what you throw away. Small tabs and sub-pieces can look like scrap. When in doubt, keep it. Keep the envelope. Any piece you're not working with goes back in, it's easy to mistake a small tab for scrap.
Fold along the scored lines
• Before any gluing, fold each piece along its scored lines. Slightly fold both ways first to soften the paper, then set the final direction - Valley (V shape) or Mountain (peak) - following the small circle indicators printed on each piece.
A circle indicates a Mountain/Peak fold.
• This step takes time. It's worth it. Clean folds make clean edges.
A plastic card or the back of a butter knife helps you get a sharp, precise fold.
If a piece gets accidentally creased, lay it flat and smooth it gently before assembling. Don't fold over a crease.
Keep your hands clean and dry before handling the pieces. Moisture, dirt and grease weaken the paper and leave marks.
Not sure which glue to use? Check the FAQ: we cover what works and what to avoid.
Glue the tabs - one at a time
• Observe the piece on hand, and look for the corresponding tag numbers on the previous elements, then decide in which order you’ll be more comfortable gluing the tabs one after the other.
• Tabs go inside the model. Apply glue to the outside of the tab, fold it in, press firmly for a few seconds.
• One tab. Wait. Next tab. That's the pace. Rushing here is the most common source of frustration.
• Hold each tab in place until the glue sets. Check the alignment before letting go.
Apply glue with a toothpick or wooden stirrer. A thin, even coat along the full tab is enough. A little goes a long way.
Glue one tab at a time. Let it set before moving to the next. Patience here saves time later.
If a piece doesn't align perfectly, something is off — check the piece number and orientation before forcing it.
Made a mistake? If the glue is still fresh, gently peel the tab back and reposition. Once dry, leave it - forcing it will tear the paper.
Some pieces come in sub-parts, marked X-1, X-2, X-3 and so on. Assemble those together first, then attach the completed piece to the model.
Work through the pieces in order
Once a piece is glued and set, move to the next number. The model builds on itself - each piece connects to what came before.
Take breaks. There is no right pace. Most people find it easier to work in sessions of 30 to 60 minutes rather than straight through.
Finish and display
Keep going until the last piece is in place. Once the glue has fully cured - give it about an hour - your model is ready.
No frame, no base, no finishing required. Find it a spot and leave it there.
- Our items are crafted to seamlessly fit together, ensuring that each component aligns perfectly. So if it does not fit perfectly, something is off. Take a step back.