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I believe I have found an answer to your question on How to Make Photo Sculptures
Making Exclusive 3-D Foto-Figures
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by Jason Schmock
This is a creative business in which you can turn your spare time into
big money, and all you really need to get started is a few materials
and your existing work shop. If you don't have a workshop, a corner of
your basement or garage will give all the space you need.
You could have paid $14,990 for a course and setup in this business.
That's what one company has advertised in Entrepreneur magazine. Why
would you want to pay such a high price when this brief report will
show you virtually everything you will need to know
WHAT ARE 3-D PHOTO FIGURES?
You may have seen them on display or sold under different names such
as photo sculptures, photo statues or self-standing figurines, but the
principle is the same. Basically, they are photographs that have been
cut and mounted onto an acrylic background, then fastened to a base.
And, they sell like hot cakes to those who want something unique and
different -especially when it is a likeness of themselves, a relative,
their home, or favorite pet.
INVESTMENT NEEDED
If you'll be starting from scratch, your total investment should not
exceed $200... and it should be considerably less if you already have
a home workshop in your basement.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
These are the basic tools you'll need:
Variable speed scroll saw Belt sander (or sand paper) Drill & drill
bits Scissors Goggles Spray adhesive Hand Vacuum Work table ( or
picnic bench)
HOW MUCH MONEY CAN YOU MAKE?
If you have just a few spare hours available each week, you should be
able to make a nice part time income, a few hundred dollars or more
once you get rolling in this business. Here's a breakdown of
approximate costs and selling prices for the various size photo
figures:
Approximate Cost Approximate Size Cost to Make Selling Price
----------------------------------------------- 3X5 $1.40 $10.00 5x7
$1.90 $14 to $18 8x10 $3.95 $20 to $25 16x20 $5.00 $30 to $35
Now, figure in your labor and the time necessary to make such figure
which will be about 15 minutes when you complete a few practices jobs
and become accustomed to working with this material.
Using the largest size as an example, if you had an assignment for jut
4 figures and you completed each in 15 minutes, this gives you a gross
of $120 FOR an hour's work. Now subtract your production cost of $5
each or $20 for the four figures, and you still come up with $100.
Naturally, all jobs won't be for the larger size, but you could (if
you really wanted to) specialize, only in the size to make the biggest
net profits. You might do better, however, if you will provide all
sizes to attract the most customers.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT - AND PROFITS
Although this is relatively easy work, a certain amount of practice
will be needed to become proficient. Just how much practice you will
need depends on how skillful you are in working with your handS. If
you already have a workshop in which you have done creative work, you
will probably master 3-D Figures in just a few minutes after getting a
"feel" for the acrylic materials. Otherwise, it might take an hour or
two before you begin feeling comfortable at this job.
HOW AND WHERE TO BUY YOUR ACRYLICS
Check your local Yellow Pages under Plastics. Acrylic is generally
sold in 4x8 foot sheets, such as wall paneling, but ask if they will
cut yours into smaller 2 x 4 foot sizes, which will make the material
easier to handle when you begin cutting and gluing.
Be sure to check several sources because prices can often vary greatly
among suppliers. You shouldn't have to pay more than $100 for a 4 x 8
foot, quarter inch sheet. In fact, ask if they have scrap pieces
available that you can buy. If so, this could save you a lot of money.
YOU'RE NOW READY TO MAKE 3-D FIGURE
Make sure your shop or working area is well lighted and ventilated. If
you don't already have a scroll saw and have to buy one, select one
with a fast speed because the faster the speed, the smoother the cut.
Always use a sharp blade in your saw - a fine blade for cutting small
details, a wider blade for larger area cuts. CAUTION: If the blade
isn't sharp, it tends to melt the acrylic.
Take one of your practice photos and begin cutting out the primary
subject for your figure. The primary subject is what you want to
highlight, such as a head and shoulders figure of a person, an entire
group of people, a car, house, pet, etc. All background areas will be
eliminated.
DO NOT cut close to the subject, but allow about an inch all around
making sure your scissors are sharp right to the points.
The size and shape of your acrylic backing will of course depend on
the size of the subject. You'll want to pre-cut a section of acrylic
that will accommodate your photo. A good adhesive for this is a photo
mount spray glue, available at most photo stores. Before you glue the
photo to the plastic, blow away any remaining dust or plastic chips
from the surface or they will show through the picture.
To mount your photo, first spray your acrylic, then lay one edge of
your photo down and gradually bring it down to the other edge. You
only have one shot at this step, so sure you're practicing on your own
photos before attempting to work for someone else.
Keep your glue away from fire and flame, and allow plenty of
ventilation to protect yourself from fumes. You can use a rubber
roller to smooth out the photo and eliminate air bubbles. The glue
will dry completely in about 15 minutes.
Now you're ready to make final cut around that border you had
originally left on. Lay the picture down, face up, and begin
cutting... moving the acrylic into blade. To make cuts in the middle
of a photo, such as between arms and legs, drill a hole where you want
to cut... then insert the blade in the drilled hole and cut out the
portion you want removed.
NEXT, INSTALL THE BASE
The base is what will make your figure stand upright and it can be
either a rectangle shape or cut free form - whichever will make the
picture look best. Be sure to sand all edges before gluing the base.
Super glue will probably be your best choice for this.
When your figure is finished, examine it carefully to make sure you
have made all the right cuts in the right places, that all edges have
been sanded smooth, and that it stands straight on the base. Now, put
the finished figure into a plastic bag for protection, or have small
boxes ready.
At this point it would be a good idea to have small labels printed
with your name and address to put on the bottom (or back) of each
figure. When someone picks it up, they will see who made it and this
can produce a lot of extra business for you.
Don't be afraid to experiment (on your own photos, of course) to
create new and different ideas that will be saleable. For example,
acrylic comes in a variety of colors, so you can standardize on black
or white... or experiment with your color for the backing and another
for the base; or, you might want to arrange your figures on layers of
different size and color backings. Let your imagination guide you.
SETTING UP YOUR BUSINESS
We've just covered the creative end of 3-D photo figures, but now we
must find an outlet for them, first establishing a business. You'll
need official stationery for this, so decide what you will call your
business, or just use your own name; John's 3-D Figures or something
like that. Any local quick print shop can print your name and address
on letterheads and envelopes, and it would be a good idea to also
include business cards as well as Statements and Order Forms.
MARKETING YOUR CREATIONS
Check your local photo shops to find out if they offer such a product
to their customers. If not, you have virgin territory. If they do, see
if you can beat the prices they pay and sell for. Show them a few of
your samples and offer to work with them on a 50/50 arrangement. You
do all the work, they make sales to their own customers. If you have 5
or more shops working with you this way, the business should keep you
pretty busy.
Of course, if you would prefer not to share your profits, you might
want to sell directly to the public. To do this, run small ads in your
local newspapers, something like this:
YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOS COME TO LIFE
Beautiful Lifelike 3-D Figures. Skillfully crafted and mounted on
durable, colorful acrylic. Show off your prize possessions or those
you love on these free-standing 3-D Photo Figures. A perfect gift for
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Christmas and other holidays. A cherished
lifetime gift for as little as $9.95. Phone ______ (Your name &
address)
You can enhance the above ad by including a small picture of one of
your 3-D photo figures, or several samples, to show what they look
like for those who don't know.
SELL BY MAIL
These 3-D Photo Figures make an ideal mail order item, so your might
want to establish your own mail order business. To do this properly,
however, you should keep your ad small (to reduce the cost) and ask
readers to write for information
To those who write, send a friendly letter and circular/brochure
illustrating your sample figures. Include an order form including your
size and prices for the various figures. Naturally, you will have to
ask potential customers to send you the photo they want mounted, with
full assurance that it will be beautifully created into a 3-D Photo
Figure that they will be proud to display or give as a gift.
Using the pricing example on Page 1 of this report, you can determine
the price for your customers based on your cost, size of the finished
product, and the length of time it requires to complete.
However you decide to sell your creations, you can quickly build this
into a very profitable part time (or fill time) business in which you
can make $100 or more per hour. Even if you work only 10 hours a week,
$1000 weekly isn't to be scoffed at.
Start a Business
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