AFOL Designer Program packaging
Posted by Huw,
When we reviewed two of the sets that are being produced as part of BrickLink's AFOL Designer Program (The LEGO Story by BrickJonas and Antique Fire Engine by Boone Langston) we were sent prototypes without the final packaging or instructions.
We've now just received a copy of The LEGO Story fresh off the production line so let's take a look at how it arrived and also reveal the exclusive brick included in every set.
It's immediately obvious that this is a quality product: you can see that a lot of care and attention has been put into the packaging.
The outer sleeve of the box is individually numbered. The hologram sticker states that an exclusive LEGO element is included.
The sleeve slips off easily to reveal a stylish black box with BrickLink and a brick pattern printed in gloss black, which looks excellent.
The back provides information about the ADP.
The box is sealed with another holographic sticker which has the name of the set and the designer on it.
The outer sleeve can be opened out and used as a display backing card. It shows the edge of a desk with 'clutter' at one end, against a white brick wall.
The flip-top box is much like those used by LEGO for Architecture and Ideas sets.
In addition to the parts and instructions the exclusive brick can be found at the top, along with a thank you card.
Parts are packed in heat-sealed transparent bags, made from a different material to that which LEGO uses. They are labelled 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B etc. so you don't need to open them all before you start building.
The instructions are perfect bound, extremely well printed on quality paper stock and are at at least on a par official LEGO manuals.
There's an introduction from Jonas at the front and parts inventory at the back, which uses BrickLink's part numbers rather than LEGO's.
The exclusive brick is a 2x4 brick with axle holes, printed with a pattern celebrating 60 years of the LEGO Brick.
This part has not been used in any sets yet but will be available later in the year in the Spike Prime robotics kit.
I am very impressed with every aspect of the AFOL Designer program and BrickLink has really exceeded my expectations: Beautiful models, beautifully packaged. This is a box you will not want to throw away.
If you haven't placed your order yet, there's still time to do so, until July 1st. Head on over to BrickLink to view what's available.
The LEGO Story by BrickJonas contains 1442 pieces and is priced at $99.99. Thanks to BrickLink for sending a final production version for me to review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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28 comments on this article
The packaging looks excellent, it oozes quality. Nice job Bricklink
I can’t wait to receive the castle, I just hope the damn customs don’t slam a 100$ import fee on it.
Mine arrived this weekend too and made the Bank Holiday for me! Despite the £20+ customs charge, this set is a real Joy and beautifully produced.
Such a quintessential set. The sticker for sealing the box seems tamper-proof; hopefully TLG could adopt.
Glad to see watermarks on your images Huw! :-)
Lego and Bricklink did an excellent job on these sets. Thanks for showing all the details.
Damn! That packaging looks so nice it I almost wished I'd purchased two of the Science Tower. LEGO is to be built and played with but I almost don't want to break that lovely seal. I say this as somebody who has had no hesitation in opening any of my existing sets, including the UCS Sandcrawler and B-Wing purchased after they were already retired.
Hats off to BrickLink and all those involved at LEGO on this great project.
@LegoMyMamma, it's about time, isn't it... it might at least force those who make pointless videos using them to acknowledge where they came from :)
Using the designer's user name instead of actual name cheapens the product in my mind somehow. Everything else looks pro.
@lippidp: they are using the designers' actual name in the instructions ;)
Can't wait to get my hands onto this. Seems mine is currently in customs, hopefully, it won't stay there for too long :)
These look awesome but I don't see anything that can fit in my City as it is, I hope more AFOL start extending the life out of this program now that I understand LEGO is helping Bricklink.
yep can't wait over here as well!
I was disappointed to find that two of the bags in my copy of The LEGO Story had somehow developed slits/holes and several pieces had fallen out and were rattling around loose in the box. No parts were missing, luckily, but I can't imagine how these cuts would've happened after the box was packed. (One bag was cut in 4 separate locations, yet there was no damage to the box or any external evidence of mishandling.) A minor point in the long run, I guess, but it took a little shine off the otherwise great packaging.
My Hot Shot Carnival Set has since May 21 the Status „Shipment Information Received“ and didn‘t changed yet.
Have someone the same Status?
I have exactly the same, and some more EU-based ppl on the Forums too. FedEx tracking is pretty awful.
Packaging is really cool! Do like the seals as well, agree that this would be the thing to do for TLG for CE and UCS sets.
FedEx just informed me that my Shooting Gallery is sitting on my back porch! Hoping the wrapped it in plastic as it’s supposed to deluge later today before I get home :(
Very nice--wasn't into any of the models this round, but if they made the right model I would. Love that this is a thing!
Wow, this is a great looking set. Really top quality, glad I got in on it early.
@bbalit - I received two so far and they weren’t wrapped in plastic but they were in a rather thick BrickLink box. Wishing you luck that the rain holds off until you can get it!
I hope they extend this program to more designs.
While the packaging is nice, I could definitely forego that in favor of a lower price. I don't keep boxes so all that lovely printing will just end up in the recycling bin.
The expected customs charge had hold me back to order this.
@DualBoot
Same here, the shipping taxes from the USA, turned me away even with the "free shipping" promo.
Despite living in Sweden I caved and ordered the castle and science tower. No news on either of these though. Really hope they arrive before my field season in July...
Quality packaging. Can't wait to get the Science Tower.
Does anyone know if they're shipping out now from the preorders?
@imemine98
My daughter got home just before the storm and brought it in before the deluge started :)
Box is nice but the text was rubbed off all of the seals :(
Unfortunately, mine arrived with one of the bags ripped open :( I haven't counted the pieces or gotten to that step yet, but I can't imagine anything is actually missing with how well the box was sealed.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing this Huw. I'm excited to receive my Hotshot Shooting Gallery, should arrive by week's end. I agree this is such a cool program and I hope it continues.
Were the exclusive bricks printed and produced by LEGO, or did LEGO supply plain 2x4 bricks with axle holes to be printed by a third party? I'm assuming the former since that 60 years pattern looks official.
@LegoSonicBoy: those are actually official LEGO elements, printed by LEGO ;)