Clues in Sprues

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Clues in Sprues is a puzzle challenge in 24 parts, with 24 words hidden within the pieces.

It’s designed for an evening of solving with friends, or as a slightly mischievous way to explore what your 3D printer can really do when left unsupervised.

This is a linear game.

Unashamedly so.

Each puzzle leads to the next, and skipping ahead will not help you. We tried.

Sprues are frames.

They traditionally hold plastic parts in place until someone clips them out and immediately loses one under the sofa.

We like sprues. They have a charm of their own.

Thanks to 3D printing, they can now also hold secrets, clues, and the occasional small act of sabotage.

In Clues in Sprues, the puzzles are the sprues.

Want to try it for yourself? We have a free sprue, with six simple puzzles, available for free on the Enigmailed website. Pry before you buy!

Each puzzle needs to be cut from its frame before it can be solved.

This is not an accident.

We call this Snip-And-Solve.

Full instructions are included, and no two puzzles are solved the same way. Some require logic, some observation, some careful hands, and some mild restraint.

Once solved, everything can be packed away and played again by someone else.

Or by the same person, after a respectful amount of time has passed.

In our photographs, the sprues are different colours.

This is not decorative.

They’re meant to be handled, explored, and tinkered with - not painted, varnished, or destroyed by a stray Orc.

Playtesters approached the game in two main ways:

• One puzzle at a time, like sensible people
• Cutting everything out immediately and hoping for the best

We all know which group throws IKEA instructions away first.

As Enigmailed, we make puzzle games that pretend to be other things.

• A furniture catalogue (Flatpak)
• A three-in-one crime drama (Full Deck)
• A missing band brochure (Ashwell)
• A pub-hopping puzzle adventure (Pouroboros)
• A layered map mystery (Notable Remains)
• And the world’s smallest build-your-own escape rooms (Escape The Book Nook)

Several of those involved 3D-printed elements.

This is the first time the entire game is the print.

if you are printing these at home, all four sprues typically print in under four hours.

You’ll also need:

• A pair of snips
• Some fine sandpaper (for removing mischievous little nubbins)
• Pencil and paper (for one puzzle only)

Gameplay typically takes between two and four hours, depending on how cautious - or reckless - your group is.

There’s no strict age limit, but some pieces are small or sharp, so children should be supervised.

Probably adults too.

• 24 puzzles
• 4 sprues
• One irreversible pair of snips
• No apps
• No batteries
• No shortcuts

Just careful cuts, clever thinking, and the quiet thrill of doing something you’re technically not supposed to.

While we have successfully shipped over ten campaigns, we know challenges and delays are often inevitable. We have therefore put a shipping date of July 2026 on this game, alhough we are hopeful of an earlier send. 

We will be using Enigmailed as our Pledge Manager - if you have backed us before, your details are probably already on the system! The packaging we have chosen is letterbox friendly, leading to lower shipping prices. Our shipping costs are estimated to be:

• UK: £5 for the first package
• Europe: £8 
• US & Rest of World: £10

These estimates in the past have shown to be quite accurate. Please note, they do not include customs, any current orange tariff or VAT charges at point of entry.