The flatness problem
Early in the R&D of the Sunrise Dreams: Classic Set, we faced a challenge of perception. We had designed ten layers of intricate landscape, but when stacked directly against one another, the fine laser-cut details were lost. The forest looked like a single, thick block of paper rather than a sprawling, misty woodland.
To achieve our vision of abundance, we had to introduce air between the layers. We needed a solution that was reliable, easy for a first-time assembler to repeat, and cost-effective enough to keep the focus on the art. The answer wasn't a complex bracket or expensive plastic spacer; it was the pre-assembled ivory stripe.
A 36-stripe interactive assembly
To hold the 10 layers of the landscape equidistant and in perfect alignment, we engineered a system of 36 double-sided, 2mm ivory cardboard stripes. Each layer is supported by 4 stripes: one for each side of the squared layer. Stripes are pre-assembled with double-sided tape so you only have to follow the markings on the back of each layer (from Layer 1 to Layer 10) to peel off and stick them on.
We selected a thick, naturally coloured ivory cardboard since it’s dense enough to resist compression (so the Silvia Forest doesn't "shrink" over time) but light enough to maintain the set's delicate balance. By placing these four stripes between each layer, we create a repeatable process that even a non-DIY aficionado can master in minutes.
Creating 'global depth'
The primary benefit of a 2mm spacing is what we call Global Depth. By the time you reach the 11th layer (the front face of the ivory case itself), you've created 20mm of physical space inside the frame.
This gap allows light to pass between the layers. It creates natural shadows that no printing process can replicate. When you look at the 14 story-based DIY elements: the trees, the sun, and the characters, they aren't stuck to a background anymore; they're floating in a three-dimensional theatre, inspired by the Japanese art of kamishibai. This spacing is what allows you to appreciate the micron-level precision of the CO2 laser cuts on each background layer.
The 11th layer: a case for structural engineering
At FOLDORI, we're against discarded and single-use packaging. The offset printed, ivory case is the final piece of the engineering puzzle. It provides the lateral tension that keeps the 10 layers and 36 stripes from shifting.
The front face of the case acts as the final scenery frame, masking the internal mechanics and focusing the eye on the center of the story. It turns a stack of paper into a window into another world: the Silvia Forest and its 3 heroes.
Ivory for the art
We could have used grey industrial board, or even basic kraft cardboard cuts. But that would have broken the art piece experience. We selected a clean, natural ivory colour for a refined aesthetics: when you look at the set from a slight angle, the spacers blend into the highlights of the paper, rather than creating darker gaps that would mask the shadowing effects of environmental lighting.
Our ivory boards have a specific tooth that bonds instantly with our adhesives. Once stripes are stuck, your landscape stays stacked.
In engineering, the most elegant solution is often the one that uses the least 'tech' to achieve the most 'magic'. These 36 stripes are the structural heart of the Sunrise Dreams set. They provide the abundance Mary demands and the structural stability I require, all while keeping the assembly time under 40 minutes. It’s simple, it’s repeatable, and it’s why our landscapes feel so real.
