Using FoldLab
These terms govern use of the FoldLab website and app. By using FoldLab, you agree to these terms. Our Privacy Policy explains how we handle information. If you create an account, you must be old enough to do so under the law where you live, or have permission from a parent or guardian where that is allowed.
FoldLab offers origami lessons, viewing tools, creator features, account storage, and a reviewed community. Some features may be unavailable or turned off. You may browse public lessons without an account; saving to an account, publishing, liking, and paid features require sign-in when available.
Accounts and security
Provide an email address you control and keep your sign-in credentials secure. You are responsible for activity under your account unless it results from FoldLab’s own failure to protect it. Use the password recovery and optional authenticator tools if needed, and tell us promptly if you suspect unauthorized access. Do not share another person’s account or attempt to bypass access controls.
Your account settings and saved models are tied to your account. Export a local copy of a model if you want an independent backup. You can request account closure at hello@foldlab.app; first cancel any active subscription through the billing portal so future charges stop.
Lessons and physical folding
FoldLab tutorials are educational guides. Some models are fully animated; others have manual or text-only steps. A preview or finished shape does not mean every fold has been animated, independently checked, or physically validated. Follow the written instructions and use your judgment when a fold, tool, or material presents a risk. Supervise children and use cutting tools carefully.
We may correct, update, reclassify, or remove lessons when source information, rights, safety, or technical issues require it. We do not promise that a digital fold will reproduce a particular result with every paper type or skill level.
Your models and content
You keep ownership of original models, titles, instructions, profile text, and images you create. You grant FoldLab a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to store, process, display to you, and make technical copies of content you save so we can provide the account and creator features. If you submit a model for publication, that license also allows us to review it. For an approved model, it allows FoldLab to display, distribute, format, and create thumbnails of it in the community and related discovery pages until you unpublish or delete it.
You are responsible for having the rights needed to save and publish your content. Do not upload someone else’s protected diagrams, instructions, images, trademarks, or personal information without permission. Source credit alone may not grant permission to republish. If you use a traditional or third-party design, describe its source and follow any license restrictions.
Publishing lets other visitors view and use your instructions for personal folding within FoldLab. It does not grant them a right to resell your work. Because public model data may be downloaded or copied, withdrawing a published model cannot remove copies others already obtained.
Community review and sharing
Saved models are private by default. Choosing “Submit for review” places a model in an administrator review queue; submission does not guarantee publication. An administrator may approve, reject with a note, or remove a model to address quality, rights, safety, or rule concerns. Approved models and their instructions become publicly accessible, along with the author name you chose. Editing a submitted or approved model makes that version private again until it is submitted and approved anew.
Keep titles, descriptions, instructions, public profiles, and avatars suitable for a broad audience. You may withdraw or unpublish your own model through your account. We may remove content or restrict sharing when reasonably necessary to operate the community or respond to a complaint.
Acceptable use
Do not use FoldLab to break the law, infringe rights, harass others, distribute malicious material, probe or interfere with systems, evade rate limits or payment controls, or submit misleading or unsafe instructions as verified lessons. Do not try to upload or execute arbitrary code through model files, images, or form fields. We may reject files and requests that exceed format, size, geometry, or security limits.
Pro and PDF exports
Billing is currently optional and may be disabled. While disabled, FoldLab does not offer checkout or enforce plan-based model and PDF limits. An app billing switch does not cancel a subscription already created with Stripe.
When enabled, FoldLab Pro costs $9.95 USD per month and renews monthly until canceled. Pro includes access to models designated as Pro and unlimited PDF instruction exports, subject to reasonable request limits. The current catalogue is free unless a model is later designated as Pro. A free signed-in account may make one successful PDF export per UTC calendar month; the allowance resets at 00:00 UTC on the first day of each month. Guests must sign in to use that free allowance. Native creator-file exports are separate from the PDF allowance.
Stripe hosts checkout and payment management. You can cancel through “Manage subscription” on the account billing page when billing is enabled. Cancellation normally takes effect at the end of the current paid period, and access continues through that period while the subscription remains active. Payment failures, expiration, or a paused subscription can interrupt Pro access. If a billing setting is disabled while you have an active subscription, contact us so the subscription can be addressed in Stripe.
We show any changed price or material subscription terms before they apply to a future purchase or renewal as required by law. For a billing mistake or refund request, email hello@foldlab.app. Refunds are handled according to applicable law and the circumstances of the charge.
Downloads and availability
FoldLab may let you download model files or PDFs. You are responsible for storing your own copies and using them within the rights granted by their authors and sources. We take reasonable care with stored account content but cannot guarantee uninterrupted service, permanent storage, compatibility with every device, or recovery of every deleted file. Features may change as the app develops.
Intellectual property
FoldLab’s software, interface, branding, and original materials belong to FoldLab or its licensors. Origami designs and source instructions credited to others remain subject to their own rights and license terms. Access to a lesson does not transfer ownership of its design, diagrams, narration, or other protected materials. Use the service for its intended learning and creation purposes; ask the relevant rights holder before republishing or commercially exploiting someone else’s work.
Disclaimers and liability
FoldLab is provided on an “as available” basis. To the extent permitted by law, we make no warranty that every model is physically foldable, every instruction is error-free, or the service will always be available or secure. FoldLab is not responsible for harm caused by unsafe materials or tools used contrary to reasonable care.
To the extent permitted by law, FoldLab is not liable for indirect or consequential losses arising from use of the service. Nothing in these terms excludes a right or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, including rights you may have as a consumer.
Suspension and ending use
You may stop using FoldLab at any time, delete individual saved models, or request account closure. We may suspend an account or remove content when necessary for security, nonpayment, suspected abuse, rights complaints, or serious violations of these terms. We will use reasonable efforts to explain an action where doing so is practical and lawful. Terms needed to resolve outstanding payments, content rights, disputes, or liability continue after an account closes.
Changes and contact
We may update these terms as FoldLab changes. We will post a new effective date and give additional notice for material changes where required. Continuing to use the service after the updated terms take effect means you accept them; if you do not agree, stop using the service and contact us about your account or subscription. Questions, rights reports, and billing concerns can be sent to hello@foldlab.app.