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How It Works

A guide to buying and selling ACEOs on our platform

What is an ACEO?

ACEO stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. These are miniature artworks with a standard size of 2.5" x 3.5"(the size of a trading card or playing card).

ACEOs can be created in any medium - watercolor, acrylic, digital art, collage, and more. They're perfect for collectors who want original artwork at affordable prices and artists who want to reach a wider audience.

ACEOs are also widely known as Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) — the two terms are used interchangeably across the collector community, though ACEO originally referred to work made specifically to be sold rather than traded hand-to-hand.

Why ACEOriginals?

Zero platform fees — and the math is real

Selling a $10 ACEO on Etsy costs 6.5% in transaction fees plus payment processing plus listing fees. On a typical sale that's $1.50–$2.00 gone before shipping. ACEOriginals charges nothing. You and your buyer agree on payment and handle it directly — through PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or whatever works for both of you. Every dollar of the sale price is yours.

Designed for how ACEO trading actually works

The ACEO community has always been built on direct relationships — artists and collectors connecting through forums, Facebook groups, and trading threads. Most sales already happen between people who know each other. ACEOriginals is designed around that reality: direct contact between buyers and sellers, artist profiles you can follow, social links to find artists across platforms, and transaction tracking so everyone knows where things stand.

Collect, resell, repeat

Every piece you buy can be relisted the moment you receive it. ACEOriginals tracks the full chain — who made it, who owned it, who's selling it now — so provenance stays intact as pieces change hands. Your collection isn't a dead end. It's alive. That's what makes ACEOs worth collecting on a dedicated platform rather than just buying from social media and hoping for the best.

A conversation, not a checkout

We don't have a "Buy Now" button — and that's intentional. When you express interest in a piece, you're starting a conversation with the artist. They reach out, you connect, you arrange payment in whatever way works for both of you. You know who made what you're buying. They know who it's going to. It's closer to a farmers market or an indie bookstore than an e-commerce platform — and that relationship is the product.

This also protects everyone. Payment that moves before any contact creates easy openings for scams and leaves buyers exposed when sellers are unresponsive. The back-and-forth isn't a bug in the system — it's the trust layer.

For Artists

1. Create Your First Listing

  • Click "List an ACEO" from the navbar or dashboard
  • Upload 1-3 images of your ACEO (use image hosting services like Imgur, ImgBB, or your own website)
  • Add a title and description (materials used are helpful!)
  • Set your price and shipping cost
  • Select shipping destinations
  • Mark as NSFW if applicable (18+ content). NSFW content should be artistic in nature (figure studies, classical art styles)

2. When Someone Expresses Interest

  • You'll receive an email with the buyer's contact information
  • The listing moves to your "Pending Interest" section
  • Contact the buyer to arrange payment and confirm details
  • If the deal falls through, you can restore the listing to active

3. Complete the Transaction

  • Once payment is received, mark the listing as "Sold"
  • Package and ship your ACEO to the buyer
  • Mark as "Shipped" when mailed
  • The buyer will mark as "Received" when it arrives
  • Your completed sales count increases!

4. Manage Your Listings

  • Edit active listings anytime from your dashboard
  • Delete listings that you no longer want to sell
  • Update your profile with bio, social links, and payment methods
  • Track your sales and transaction history

For Buyers/Collectors

1. Discover ACEOs

  • Browse all available ACEOs on the "Discover" page
  • Click "Surprise Me!" to see random ACEOs
  • Visit artist profiles to see all their work

2. Express Interest

  • Click "Express Interest" on any available ACEO
  • You'll receive an email with the artist's contact information
  • The artist receives your contact information
  • Coordinate payment and shipping details directly with the artist
  • The listing appears in your "Items I'm Interested In" section

3. Track Your Purchase

  • When the artist marks it as "Sold", it moves to "My Purchases - Pending"
  • You'll receive email updates when it's marked as shipped
  • Once you receive the ACEO, click "Mark as Received"
  • The transaction completes and both parties are notified
  • Your completed purchases count increases!

4. Resell Your Collection

Every piece you buy through ACEOriginals can be relisted for sale the moment you mark it as received. Your collection isn't a dead end — it's alive.

This is what separates ACEOriginals from a simple classifieds board. ACEOs can change hands, find new owners, even appreciate over time as an artist's reputation grows. The platform tracks the full chain — who made it, who's selling it now, who sold it before — so provenance stays intact.

Good for artists whose work keeps circulating and finding new audiences. Good for collectors who want to trade up or thin their collection. Good for the community that grows around it.

  • Click "Relist This Item" from any completed purchase in your dashboard
  • Original title, images, and description are pre-filled — just set your price
  • The original artist is credited automatically

Payment & Shipping

⚠️ Important: You Are Responsible for Your Safety

This platform facilitates connections but does NOT process payments, handle disputes, or provide buyer/seller protection. You are responsible for your own transactions and assume all risks.

Protect Yourself from Scams:

  • Use PayPal Goods & Services (NOT Friends & Family) for buyer protection
  • Check seller's completed sales count - new accounts are higher risk
  • Never send payment as a "gift" - you lose all protection
  • Request tracking for higher-value items (optional for typical $3-$20 ACEOs)
  • Communicate through the platform emails to have a record
  • If something feels off, don't proceed - trust your instincts
  • Never share sensitive personal information beyond what's needed for shipping

By using this platform, you acknowledge that all transactions are at your own risk. We are not responsible for any disputes, losses, or fraudulent activity.

Common Payment Methods:

  • PayPal (Goods & Services for buyer protection)
  • Venmo
  • Cash App
  • Zelle

Shipping Tips:

  • Use rigid mailers or cardboard backing to protect the ACEO
  • Place in a protective sleeve or plastic bag
  • Mark as "Do Not Bend" if possible
  • Consider tracking for higher-value items

Tips for Success

For Artists

  • Take clear, well-lit photos of your ACEOs
  • Write detailed descriptions (materials, inspiration, etc.)
  • Price competitively - check what similar ACEOs sell for
  • Respond promptly to buyer inquiries
  • Ship quickly and package carefully
  • Update your profile with social links and bio

For Buyers

  • Check artist's completed sales for reliability
  • Ask questions before expressing interest
  • Pay promptly once you've committed
  • Mark as received promptly when it arrives
  • Communicate any issues with the artist directly
  • Leave feedback (coming soon!)

Ready to Get Started?

Join our community of ACEO artists and collectors today