Everything people ask us
The cutters
- What are your cookie cutters made of?
- PLA, a plant-based bioplastic, 3D printed in our own workshop. PLA is rigid, holds a fine edge, and is the standard material for printed cookie cutters.
- Why buy a printed cutter instead of a metal one?
- A stamped metal cutter is one strip of steel bent into a loop, so it can only make shapes a strip can be bent into, and its edge blunts and distorts over time. A printed cutter can carry spines, inner detail and embossed patterns, and its walls are thick enough to keep their shape.
- Can we use them with play dough?
- Yes. The same cutters and stamps work on play dough, which is handy on the days nobody can wait for an oven. They are kitchen tools rather than toys, so they are for ages 3 and up with an adult on hand, and they should be washed and dried before they go back to biscuit dough.
- Are the layer lines a defect?
- No. Fine horizontal lines on the outside of the walls are how a 3D print is built and are normal on every printed cutter. They do not touch the dough and do not affect the cut. A cracked wall, a warped shape, or a blunt or malformed cutting edge is a genuine fault, and we will replace it. See returns & refunds.
Food safety & care
- Are they food safe?
- They are intended for brief contact with raw dough, which is how a cookie cutter is used. They are not for storing food, not for hot or oily mixtures, and not for the oven. Wash and dry them before first use.
- Can I put them in the dishwasher?
- No. A dishwasher runs hotter than PLA can take, and the cutter will soften and warp out of shape. Hand wash in warm (not hot) water and dry it straight away.
- How do I clean dough out of the fine detail?
- A soft washing-up brush or an old toothbrush in warm soapy water gets into the corners. Do not soak the cutter for long periods, and dry it thoroughly before putting it away.
- How long will one last?
- Years, if you keep it out of the dishwasher, the oven, and hot cars. PLA softens with heat; that is the only thing that reliably ruins a cutter.
Getting a clean cut
- How do I get the cleanest cut?
- Chill the dough for about twenty minutes, dip the cutter in flour rather than flouring the bench, then press once firmly and lift straight up without twisting. Cold dough holds an edge; warm dough drags and closes the shape back up.
- The dough sticks inside the cutter. What am I doing wrong?
- Usually the dough is too warm or too wet. Chill it, dip the cutter in flour between cuts, and push the shape out from the top rather than pulling it from the tray.
- Will the embossed pattern still show after baking?
- On a firm dough that does not spread much, such as shortbread or gingerbread, yes. On a soft, high-butter dough the pattern will soften as the biscuit spreads. Chilling the cut shapes again before they go in the oven helps a lot.
Shipping & returns
- How long does an order take to arrive?
- We dispatch within 2 business days, then NZ Post takes 1 to 3 business days on Economy or 1 to 2 on Courier. Full rates are on the shipping page.
- Do you ship outside New Zealand?
- Not yet. Checkout is New Zealand only at the moment. Email us if you would like that to change and we will let you know when it does.
- Is shipping free?
- Economy shipping is free on orders over $60. Below that it is a flat $7, and you can pay to upgrade to a tracked courier at checkout.
- What if it arrives broken?
- Email us with your order number and a photo and we will replace it or refund you. Your Consumer Guarantees Act rights always apply, and the full detail is on the returns page.
Custom & wholesale
- Can you make a custom shape?
- Often, yes. A logo, a pet, a club crest: send us a clear outline or a photo and we will tell you honestly whether it will cut well at biscuit size before quoting. Very thin details tend to tear the dough, so some shapes need simplifying. Get in touch.
- Do you do wholesale or market stalls?
- Yes. Get in touch with the shapes and quantities you have in mind and we will send you a price list.
Still stuck?
Write to us and you'll get a reply from the person who printed your cutter.