FAQ

General

How are your dice made?

All of my dice are handmade from start to finish, including the making of the molds from which my dice are cast. Sometimes the inclusions are foraged and handmade too! Each set is made by placing inclusions and pouring resin into the molds, then placed in a pressure pot to cure. After that, they get repaired if needed, sanded and polished. Finally, they are inked, and given a final cleaning.

The process from start to finish takes several hours, and lots of manual labour, and my pricing reflects this.

How much are your dice and how do I buy them?

All of my prices are listed in CAD. Standard 7pc sets start at $100. Pricing will depend on complexity of design and will increase for larger sets. Raw, unfinished dice vary in price, but are generally lower than finished sets.  Flaws, missing pieces, or mismatched sets are discounted from their full price. 

Since I don't have regularly scheduled updates, the best place to keep tabs on restock times is by following me on Instagram, as I will make all major announcements there first. My Patreon also offers early access benefits and discounts, as well as a built in payment plan, to my shop. From time to time, I will host an auction or special sale on my Instagram account, private patreon discord, or on Facebook. Make sure you're following me on Instagram for all the latest information. You might even get lucky and win a giveaway! 

How often do you update your shop?

Dice making is a very time-consuming and laborious process. I have a full-time job and I make dice in my spare time.  Every set is made by hand, and it takes quite a while to build up stock. Any planned shop updates will be announced on my Instagram first.

What can I expect buying handmade dice?

First and foremost, please keep in mind that, as handmade products, there will be minor flaws that show up during the casting and polishing process, such as mold marks, microscratches, and bubbles. I do my best to minimize them, but sometimes it's just not possible. Any significant issues will be disclosed in the listing and the dice will be priced accordingly. Please review the listing photos and descriptions carefully before you purchase.

Craft resin is also know to yellow over time, even under the best of circumstances; it's simply the nature of the material.  However, following the care instructions provided in my product descriptions and in this FAQ will esnsure your dice last a good, long time in the best possible condition.
 

What are raw dice?

 You may occasionally see I post dice with 'raw' in the title or description.  These dice are unfinished, meaning they are in the exact condition they were when removed from the mold. They are left to fully cure before being listed, as with all my dice, but are not sanded, polished, or inked.  

I sometimes sell dice in their raw form for two reasons: I simply don't have the time or energy to finish all the dice in progress ahead of a sale, and, due to having spent less time working on it, they are sold at a much more accessible price point than the equivalent finished dice. Some dice enthusiasts also enjoy having the option of choosing their own ink.

I do also offer optional finishing and inking services with the purchase of raw dice at times.  If you don't see this option available when purchasing raw dice, and would like me to finish it for you, please contact me and I'd be happy to discuss if this is possible.

Are your dice balanced?

If your DM is okay with you rolling Chessex or other factory-made dice, you can roll these. Simply put, the only 100% balanced dice are made in hermetically sealed chambers to stop any air from getting into them, with completely flat surfaces, and used for gambling in casinos.

Most handmade dice are fairly balanced; however, a majority of dice - including factory-made sets - are not 100% balanced. Different colorants, and inclusions in your favorite sets weigh differently, but it amounts to such a minuscule difference that it won't affect the randomness of your rolls. I do my best but the general process of dice made by humans make it impossible to guarantee perfect balance. However, they are perfectly suitable for casual play at your game table. 

For those who are more curious and want to know more, you can read more about dice and balance here.

Do you take commissions?

Not through my store, and no custom orders are accepts through direct messaging or emails either.  I currently only offer commission slots to my Patreon patrons, so that would be the best way to request a commission if you're interested.  I do sometimes also offer a commission slot for special occasions, such as charity auctions, which I will announce on Instagram.

How do I care for my dice?

  • Use: Avoid rolling your dice on hard surfaces like glass, concrete, and stone.
  • Cleaning: Wipe gently with a microfiber cloth and a small amount of soapy water. Avoid getting too much water in the number wells. Dry immediately. Avoid using other cleaning substances.
  • Storage: Please store in a cool, dry placed, away from direct sunlight and heat. Leaving in direct sunlight for extended periods of time can lead to discoloration in the resin. Exposure to heat can soften your dice.

Shipping and Exchanges

How much is shipping? 

I ship via Canada Post, unless otherwise requested, at the expense of the buyer. All dice are tracked. Stickers are shipped untracked by lettermail.

Any shipment outside of Canada may be subject to customs fees on arrival. I have zero control over this. Also due to the current state of the world, shipments may experience delays. You can read my full Shipping Policy here.

* Local Pickup
If you live around Vancouver, BC, and would like to avoid paying for shipping by picking up an order, just send me an email with your order number. We will set a pickup time and location and I will refund the shipping cost once your order is picked up.

Where do you ship?

Most places that Canada Post will ship! If you happen to be from a country that I don't ship to, contact me and I'll see if what can be arranged.

I currently do not ship to Germany and the UK due to tax restrictions.  If you're a customer from the UK, please contact me, and I will create a custom Etsy listing you can purchase from.  

What is your return and exchange policy?

Since this is a one-person shop, I am not able to offer returns. Please read the Refund Policy for more information regarding refunds and exchanges.

What if my parcel is lost/damaged in the mail?

If you suspect your parcel has been damaged, lost or delivered to the wrong address, please reach out to me ASAP to discuss your options. 

Parcels that are delivered to the address inputted in your customer account and then stolen and/or damaged after delivery are not the responsibility of Dapper Cat Dice and will not be compensated under any circumstances. 

For more information, please read the Shipping Policy.