Quick answer: Ordering custom pop up cards comes down to five steps: define the moment and deadline, send references (photo/logo/sketch), approve a mockup, approve a sample for runs over 50, and pay 50% to start production. Allow one week for personalization and 2-4 weeks for engineered scenes.
We design and ship 3D pop up cards every day, and this guide packs the questions our inbox actually gets about how to order custom pop up cards into one page - with the numbers and steps, not the marketing gloss.
Step 1: Nail Down the Brief
- The occasion and the recipient - one sentence about who they are is gold for the designer.
- Your deadline: the date the card must be in hand, not 'sometime in June'.
- Quantity, and whether each card needs different personalization (names per guest) or the same text throughout.
Step 2: Send Useful References
Photos of the couple, the company logo in vector (AI/PDF/SVG) or high-res PNG, a sketch on a napkin - anything concrete. If you've seen a pop up mechanism you love, describe the motion: 'the dog should jump out when it opens' is a spec.
Step 3: The Mockup
You'll receive a drawing or digital render of the proposed scene. Approve carefully here - this is the moment changes are free. Check names, dates, spelling and the scene's composition before you say yes.
Step 4: Sample and Production
- Single cards: mockup approval goes straight to production.
- Runs over 50: request a physical sample (usually $20-60, credited back on the full order).
- Pay the deposit (typically 50%) - production time starts counting from payment.
Step 5: Delivery and the Buffer Rule
Have the card in hand at least three days before the event. Add one week of buffer in December, and if shipping internationally, ask the studio which customs surprises to expect.
Keep Reading
3D Pop Up Cards: The Complete Guide · Pop-Up Cards: The Complete Guide · Pop Up Cards With Your Logo: The Branded Card Clients Keep · The Best Sorry & Apology Pop Up Cards (2026) · The Best Sympathy Pop Up Cards (2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
What information should I include in my first inquiry?
Occasion, recipient, quantity, deadline, budget range and any reference images - a complete first message can cut days off the process.
Can I change the design after approving the mockup?
Before production starts, usually yes with a small change fee; after production, no - paper is cut once.
Do studios ship internationally?
Most do. Confirm the shipping cost and customs duties for your country before ordering - they can rival the card's price on small orders.
What glue dries fastest for pop up cards?
PVA craft glue in 2-3 minutes; glue sticks grab instantly but peel over time; hot glue is instant but lumpy. For tabs you plan to close flat, thin PVA is the safe choice.
Have a date and an idea? Our custom team quotes within one business day.
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