What are the requirements of an artist trading card?

What are artist trading cards? Artist trading cards (ATCs) are miniature pieces of art that are traded around the world. Artists create, trade and collect art at organized "swap" events, either in person or online. The only official rule for ATCs is the size: 2.5" x 3.5" .

Are artist trading cards still popular?

Today, we are diving into the captivating world of Art Trading cards and ACEOs. Contrary to what some may think, these miniature artworks are not only still a thing but also thriving in the creative community .

How many types of artist cards are there?

ARTIST CARD BENEFITS Get your Senior Artist Card, Junior Artist Card, Makeup Artist Card, Spot Boy Artist Card, Dancer Artist Card with us and establish your identity as an artist.

What are Aceo art cards?

The Art Cards, Editions and Originals (ACEOs) are the same as Artist Trading Cards, but these are sold by Artists as either originals, or limited editions of original works . The same rule applies, they must measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches.

What is a raw trading card?

A card that hasn't been graded and slabbed by a third-party service like PSA or BGS . When you buy a pack of Topps baseball cards, you are buying raw cards. If you send those raw cards to a grading service, they will become graded cards.

Can I make my own cards?

Create personalized cards in minutes with Adobe Express . A simple design process allows you to create a card with endless customization options. Make a card fit for any occasion, including birthdays, weddings, graduations, holidays, condolences, or even just to say hello.

What is the best paper for trading cards?

For the best quality, we recommend using professional trading card paper . Here's what we offer as paper stock for custom trading card jobs: 14 pt Glossy Cardstock (UV) Front Only – Our 14 pt. cardstock features the thickness to make your cards durable with a shiny glossy coat on one side.

Can I make my own TCG?

With a solid concept and some cool artwork, you can make your very own trading card game that you can play with other people. Who knows, maybe you could even try to sell it if it really takes off!

What is the main purpose of artist trading cards?

The core purpose of the ATC concept was a free exchange between the participants to establish a rapport (collaborative performance) . In order to allow for profit gain and non artist collection, both the concept of a mutual exchange and the name of the cards were altered (while the size was kept).

Are full art cards rare?

Technically, Full Arts and VMAXs can be Secret Rares , and most VMAXs are either Full Arts or Alt Arts. Still, individually, each of these categories can offer value to Pokémon TCG collectors.

How do I turn a picture into a trading card?

#1 Online Trading Card Maker 2,197,857 unique cards made here Step 1: Select a trading card template and upload your photo. Step 2: Remove your photo background in one click (optional) Step 3: Select background and insert your team logo (optional) Step 4: Enter text (or stats) on the front and back of the card. More items...

How much do card artists make?

$30,500 is the 25th percentile . Salaries below this are outliers. $88,500 is the 75th percentile.

11 Ways to Make Artist Trading Cards

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1Choose the Size

2Cut Material to Size

3Choose Your Media

4Express Your Style

5Work Quickly

6Make Multiples

7Show Your Style

8Sign and Date Your Cards

9Title Your Work

10Share

11Collect Other Cards

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Last Updated: February 11, 2022Tested

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Artist trading cards, or ATCs, began in the tradition of hockey trading cards, with a personal, artistic twist. They can be any medium that can be worked in a suitable size. ATCs are traditionally the size of hockey, baseball, cards and other trading cards,. You can use the old paper playing cards. New playing cards are plastic and not workable and not the correct size.. They're a fun way to exchange your own one-of-a-kind artistic flair with other ATC traders you meet. You don't have to be an artist.

Choose the Size

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Start with the size in mind. Artist trading cards are generally 2¹⁄₂ inches (6.4cm) by 3 1/2 inches. This allows them to fit into the plastic sleeves in which they are stored.
- You can then use the plastic card holders in a binder to bring to a trade and store in your own binder collection.
- This is the size of hockey cards and other trading cards. You can even start with mismatched playing cards as a base for collage or altered item artwork.

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Cut Material to Size

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A paper cutter, if you have one, will help you make square, straight cuts quickly.

Choose Your Media

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You may start by cutting cardstock or heavy paper to size. If you work in another medium, such as leather or fabric, you may either cut it to size or work so that the finished result is the correct size.

Express Your Style

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Express yourself or show your style, using your preferred medium or media. If you can do it inside of 3.5 x 2.5 inches, you can make an ATC.
- Drawing and painting are easily done at this size, but so are plenty of other arts, including quilting, photography, crochet, leather work, metal work, and collage.

Work Quickly

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You don't need to be careless when making an ATC, but there's no need to work your masterpiece in miniature, either. ATCs should be simple pieces that you're willing to give away when you're done. It is suggested 15 minute per card so you will want to trade them.

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Make Multiples

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You'll need a selection of cards. Remember that you will be giving your cards away. "Lots" can be relative. It could be half a dozen or a few dozen, depending on how many you expect to trade.

Show Your Style

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Is there a particular palette or medium you prefer or a technique you've been exploring lately?

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Sign and Date Your Cards

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Sign and date your cards and attach contact information, if you choose to. An email address or website is a good compromise if you'll be giving these cards to strangers, or mailing them.

Title Your Work

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The title is optional, but it will give your recipients or viewers a context in which to view your work. Or leave it to the people trading, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

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The whole point of ATCs is to trade with other artists, so once you have a selection of cards, trade them.
- Find artists or groups in your area that trade cards. The idea is to trade in person.
- Attend gatherings of artists in your area, and remind them to bring ATCs to share.
- Carry them with you as you would business cards, so that if you find an occasion to trade or give away a card, they are with you.
- Spread the word. If your local artist community is unfamiliar with artist trading cards, you might wish to give away a few cards or offer them with a request for one in return before you get many back.
- Organize a gathering to swap ATCs. Let people know what ATCs are about, and get together to try trading some.
- Look on-line. There are on-line groups that will match you up with others the world over who can mail cards in exchange for yours.

Collect Other Cards

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Because they are the size of other standard trading cards, most will fit in trading card sleeves. ATCs should be as unique as the artists who create them, so enjoy the selection. Start a collection of ATCs and try to get as many as you can.

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Community Q&A

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What do I put on the reverse side?
Community Answer
Usually this would include: Your name, a website/ blog or email address, A name for the collection or piece of art if it is just one card and a number (say if you have a set of five, you can put 1 of 5, 2 of 5, etc.).
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How do I find someone to trade with?
Community Answer
If you can't find a place in your community or nearby there's always The International Card Deck Swap. Look it up - they're always welcoming new people.
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Can an artist trading card be made with rounded corners, or must they be square?
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ATCs can be made with square or rounded corners. It's really up to you and your personal preferences.
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Always try to exchange trading cards. It's up to you if you want to give some away without receiving any in return, but never take ATCs without permission, and try to give one anytime you receive one.
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If you find yourself with a card or cards you especially like, you could scan them before trading them, or simply keep those for yourself and make more.
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Because ATCs are small, they are an easy and fun way to try a new medium or technique.
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wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 36 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 385,597 times.

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Updated: February 11, 2022

Categories: Featured Articles | Collecting

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11 Ways to Make Artist Trading Cards - wikiHow (2024)

Choose the Size

Cut Material to Size

Choose Your Media

Express Your Style

Work Quickly

Make Multiples

Show Your Style

Sign and Date Your Cards

Title Your Work

Collect Other Cards

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

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