SISTERS ROCK PAPER HELP CENTER

Our complexity ratings are a rough indication of the number pieces in the design, the number of steps to build the design, and how long it might take you to complete. Simple designs have 2-3 pieces and go together very quickly. Standard designs tend to have more pieces and more steps involved in building. Complex designs have up to 8 pieces and not only have more steps, but there may be some tricky bits. But don’t be scared! None of this is difficult. The video tutorials walk you through construction step by step and break it down to simple moves with expert tips. We suggest you start with the Dolphin & Waves pattern first to learn the basics, then move on to more complex designs. If you can make the Dolphin you can make the Giraffe – just take your time and follow the video. Give yourself permission to mess up the first one. That’s why we give you unlimited cuts!

The first time you use a pattern, give yourself a full hour. This is plenty of time to wrangle with your cutter, cut the pieces, make a few mistakes, and get comfortable with our construction methods. After a try or two you will be able to keep up with the videos which typically run under 15 minutes. Once you really master the process you won’t need the video at all.

Sisters Rock Paper designs can be fun family or classroom projects. Does your kid like LEGO, origami, or other projects requiring fine motor skills? Do they like to follow set-by-step directions? Chances are they will enjoy building these with just a bit of help, or side by side with an interested adult. I suggest you cut and make one yourself first to decide if it is right for your kid. The “mini” sculptures are much easier to build and might be a good starting place. (They will be released later in the Fall of 2022.) If building is not for your kid, we have seen kids as young as 4 enjoy playing with the sculptures. We have been amazed by the care they take in handling the paper. Watch for the T-Rex and Pterodactyl coming soon to join the Stegosaurus for a trio of dino fun.

We do not sell completed sculptures. These designs are made from paper and are somewhat ephemeral. They are prone to smushing and would be expensive to ship. For these reasons and more we decided to simply sell you the patterns and let you have the fun of building them.

Check your local library or maker space. Many have digital cutting machines for public use. Ask your neighbors too – someone near-by probably has one and would be happy to teach you how to use it and learn about Sisters Rock Paper themselves. We do not recommend cutting our designs with scissors (as much as we love them). There are complex design details and connections that are very precise. These are too difficult to cut by hand.

We will guide you! Each design includes 3 helpful resources: A resource page specific to that design that includes a link to a construction video for that design, and our Construction Hints & Methods pages with even more detailed guidance for all our designs. Please watch the video while you build. Each piece has a specific order and gluing spots for the best construction process and result. Note: it’s a good idea to watch the entire video before starting and run it again while you build. Understanding where you’re going makes it easier to figure out how to get there.

Hooks will more easily hold in place if you set the hook on the outside of the curve first, and then add the other. I also like the method of putting the half-dab of glue between the two hooks.

So put it on one, then set the other with the glue between.

Some pieces are best done step by step with a break in between to allow the glue to dry before there is pressure placed on the joint.

Another thing to try if the pieces give you trouble is to curve the paper more. This puts more tension on the hooks, and they will hold better.

Not currently, although we may produce one soon. Please refer to the Construction Methods page included in your download for specific descriptions of our methods. We recommend you build the Dolphin & Waves design first to learn some of the basics. The Owl is a good choice for your next adventure.

Not currently, although we may produce one soon. Please refer to the Construction Methods page included in your download for specific descriptions of our methods. We recommend you build the Dolphin & Waves design first to learn some of the basics. The Owl is a good choice for your next adventure.

SRP Patterns are designed for standard 65lb cardstock. Experiment with heavier weights if you scale over 8x10-inches. Please remember that paper is paper. Collaborate with it. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before beginning. Treat it with care, but also know what it can do for you. Be gentle, but don’t be scared to push it around a bit too. If you treat your paper well it will make these designs stand up and sing for you!

We tested them all – Elmer’s School Glue or a similar clear-drying white glue works best because it sets quickly, dries clear, and is easy to use. The key is to use the “half-dab” method suggested in our videos. Too much glue makes the paper soggy, degrades the hooks/tabs and requires longer setting times.

Sisters Rock Paper patterns are PNG files which are very flexible. Our standard size is 8x10-inces cut on 8.5x11-inch 65lb paper. However, they can be scaled up or down to the size that makes you happy. Simply load our PNG into your cutting machine and resize however you like. If you resize a multi-sheet project, make sure to resize each page by exactly the same amount. Full-size designs can scale from 4 to 12 inches. Minis (coming soon) start around 3 inches and max out at 5 inches. If you scale up, consider using heavier paper. If you scale a full-size pattern below 5 inches the hooks and tabs become very small. It may be easier to snip off one hook and use the other as a glue tab, putting it in place and then using a tiny drop of glue to hold it to the side you snipped.

If you are very careful. To use any of our designs on cakes or cupcakes glue on toothpicks or small skewers and stand them in the frosting. With the Flamingos you can replace the legs with toothpicks! Never let the paper touch food product. Necco wafers also make perfect barriers between paper and food – use a small bit of frosting to glue down the animal and then be sure to remove the candy and figure before serving. If you choose to use our designs with food, please be VERY VERY CAREFUL. Paper is a choking and fire hazard. Keep your finished products out of reach of babies, toddlers, and pets and away from flames (like birthday candles). Paper is not edible (and edible paper is too rigid for these designs – we tried).

In addition to your digital cutting machine and white school glue you might want toothpicks or skewers, a paper plate or something similar to hold a small puddle of glue, bone paper folder, used gift card, chopstick, spoon handle, etc. for curling and folding paper, and reaching inside a sculpture to set glue.

It could be that you are not pressing on a wide enough portion of the piece being glued. Avoid using your fingernails to hold these pieces together. Try to position the pads or sides of your fingers around the piece so that the largest surface area possible is being held. You can also use a chopstick or spoon handle to reach inside a tight space and push against to get a good connection. Sometimes it is best to put the piece down and let it dry for longer than the time suggested in the videos. Patience is your friend here.

See glue notes above to avoid this. You have 2 choices: recut your piece and start again with less glue or put the whole piece aside for about 30 minutes to allow all of the glue to dry. Then see if the tabs in question are usable and try again. If the tabs are now misshapen or torn, chalk it up to experience and start again. Chances are this will only happen to you once – although to be honest it took me more than that to figure it out – but I don’t always take my big sister’s advice 😊

Hooks will more easily hold in place if you set the hook on the outside of the curve first, and then add the other one. I also like the method of putting the half-dab of glue between the two hooks. So put it on one, then set the other with the glue between. Some pieces are best done step by step with a break in between to allow the glue to dry before there is pressure placed on the joint. Another thing to try is to put more curve on the pieces. This adds structural tension, making everything hold together more easily.

Be sure your machine is set for cardstock. There is also a setting for the weight of the paper. We recommend using 65lb paper, but you can try setting the machine for a higher weight paper (80lb) and see if that helps. If that doesn’t work sharpen or replace the blade. (see below)

You have several choices here. There are instructions online for sharpening your own blade with a tightly scrunched ball of aluminum foil. Please be VERY VERY CAREFUL if you choose to do this. Or you can replace the blade. Name brand blades can be expensive. We use these “generic” blades which are very reasonably priced. Chances are you can find something similar for your machine.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YJLFDL2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1’

It may be time for a new mat (see below for recommendation) or you can try to gently wash the mat. To do this first be sure to remove any left behind small bits of paper – a used-up gift card or keycard works well for this. You should scrape your mat after every use. Then place your mat on a flat surface you don’t mind getting wet and gently scrub the surface with a scrub brush (plastic surgical brushes are perfect) or soft dishcloth using a small amount of liquid dish detergent (NOT dishwasher detergent or liquid hand soap) and warm water. When you have cleaned and gently rinsed the mat, let it sit to dry completely before using again. The stickiness should return. If it doesn’t, some friends report good results using spray adhesive to renew a cutting mat. This method is very difficult to control, and we have had mixed results. It’s not a bad idea to have a supply of new mats on hand so that you can take the time to clean, and air dry a dirty one without interrupting your project.

We use these “generic” mats you can find on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QFZF759?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

They are a bit over-sticky the first couple of cuts. See below for how to use it best.

A brand-new mat is sometimes TOO sticky. (If it’s not one thing, it’s another!) This can make it difficult to remove the cut pieces, or sometimes the pieces get curved when you remove them. Have patience, the stickiness will reduce after the mat is used 2-3 times. In the meantime, try removing the mat from the paper instead of the paper from the mat. Gently curl the mat down to release a corner, then hold onto the paper and pull the mat the rest of the way off. If the paper does get curled, you can curl it the opposite way with your fingers to straighten it out. Check too to see if maybe it has been curled exactly the way you want it – Happy Accident!

In a word, No. In a few more, please don’t do this. All sisters rock paper designs are copyrighted with Sisters Rock Paper, LLC. We have spent hours and hours perfecting each one. By downloading our pattern, you acknowledge this copyright and agree to our terms of service. These patterns and the resulting sculptures are meant for your own personal use & enjoyment.

After purchase you MAY cut/build as many times as you like for your own enjoyment. You MAY give them as favors or gifts or use them as a group project at a one-time event. (e.g., birthday party, book club, etc.) You MAY NOT copy them, sell the patterns, or the resulting sculptures, or make a profit in any way from our designs. You MAY NOT claim our patterns as your own, even if you alter them slightly. You MAY NOT sell our creativity as your own. Thank you.

We are so sorry to hear this. These designs can definitely be tricky. I hope you will stop for today and try again later. You can cut our designs again as many times as you need to. We highly suggest you read the pages included in your download for guidance and watch the video tutorial all the way through before starting. Knowing where you’re going makes it much easier to get there!

Due to the nature of instant downloads, we cannot accept returns or offer refunds. But we do want you to be happy with your experience. Please reach out and share the problems you’re having with cutting or assembly. We will do our best to guide you through the process.