1. Take a photograph people will buy. Just because you think it's great doesn't mean the rest of the world would want to buy it and hang it on their walls. I'm still learning that one myself.

2. It's easier to make an ACEO out of a photograph than actually doing art with other mediums. The only real rule is to make the ACEO, photo or otherwise, 3.5" x 2.5".

3. Make the photo look as perfect as possible in a PhotoShop program (I use Corel PSPX2) at 3.5" x 2.5". Place it on a 4" x 6" white background. (A little tip here: If you have a white background in your photo, add a thin black border around the Photo ACEO(s) before placing the image onto the white 4" x 6" background. It will help you in the trimming process later). Have the photo printed professionally, on a 4" x 6" archival paper with archival inks (4" x 6" paper cost far less than trying to find someone to print it on 3.5" x 2.5" paper).

(The use of home inkjets is an option you may use since you'll be able use a wide variety of archival inks and papers that you may not be able to get from a professional photography printing service. The cost of printing your own Photo ACEO's may be more expensive (it was for me). I use the pro's since I get a consistent price that I can count on for the pricing of my Photo ACEO's. There is less mess, materials and storage problems using the pro's as well.)

4. Attach the photo to a 4" x 6" piece of white archival cardstock using an acid free spray glue. Use a lot of pressure for this! I use a handmade vise that puts 1000's of pounds of pressure per square inch (Mom's big wooden rolling pin will work too, just start in the middle and roll outward, pushing down hard, to get rid of any bubbles).

5. Cut the ACEO down to the 3.5" x 2.5" size using a paper trimmer such as a guillotine or rotary. Scissors suck for this, believe me.

6. Title, sign, date, and number (for limited editions) the back of the ACEO.

7. DO NOT SPRAY ANYTHING OVER THE PHOTOGRAPH! Nothing will destroy a photo faster than crud on it! DO NOT LAMINATE THE ACEO! Let your customers do whatever they want for extra preservation. All the semi-expensive archival paper and inks will help the photo last forever all by themselves.

8. Put the ACEO in a top loader rigid protector made from a UV protected acid free plastic.

9. Ship all this hard work in a bubble mailer so it is not ruined during shipment. Don't try using regular envelopes with cardboard, "Thank you" cards, or various other types of protection to keep you and your customers costs down. Too many times I have ended up replacing the ACEO(s) for free. Nothing gets a collector more frustrated than waiting a week for your Photo ACEO(s) to arrive and open a package full of junk. Can you imagine the horror of a "one of a kind" artwork folded, torn or destroyed?

10. Pricing varies but I sell mine starting at $6.99 each with free shipping.

I hope this get you started in the right direction ... Always remember ... Collectors aren't impressed with shortcutted work.

Good Luck from Duane Morris aka MrParts.