In　this　work　molecular　dynamics　simulations　are　carried　out　to　investigate　the　defect-mediated　self-assembly　of　graphene　paper　from　several　layers　of　graphene　sheets　with　vacancy　defects.　Tensile　and　shear　deformations　are　applied　to　the　obtained　architectures　to　investigate　both　the　in-plane　and　the　out-of-plane　mechanical　properties.　The　effect　of　incipient　defect　coverage　is　analyzed　and　super-ductility　is　observed　in　the　high　defect　density　situation.　While　the　stiffness　and　strength　decrease　with　the　increasing　of　incipient　defect　coverage　under　in-plane　deformations,　they　increase　under　out-of-plane　deformations,　which　can　be　attributed　to　the　enhanced　defect-induced　interlayer　cross-linking.　Effects　of　crack-like　flaws　are　also　investigated　to　demonstrate　the　robustness　of　this　structure.　Our　results　demonstrate　that　defects,　which　are　sometimes　unavoidable　and　undesirable,　can　be　engineered　in　a　favorable　way　to　provide　a　new　approach　for　graphene-based　self-assembly　of　vertically　aligned　architectures　with　mechanical　robustness　and　high　strength.　©　The　Royal　Society　of　Chemistry　2013.