ACME Studios was founded in Los Angeles in 1985 by Adrian Olabuenaga and his wife, Lesley Bailey. ACME made its first appearance with a limited edition collection of jewellery designed for them by Peter Shire.

In 1997, ACME released its first collection of fine writing tools. Always on the cutting edge of design, ACME's writing tools revolutionised a new concept in the pen industry. Having collaborated with hundreds of top designers over the years including Aldo Cibic and Ettore Sottsass, ACME has secured a place in both the pen industry as well as the design industry.