Artist Trading Cards Print

Why not give it a go? Warning they can be very addictive once you get started!

Artist trading cards, or ATCs, began in the tradition of business cards, but with a personal, artistic twist. Most ATCs are created on paper, but they may also be any other medium that can be worked in a suitable size. ATCs are traditionally the size of baseball cards and other trading cards. They're a fun way to exchange your own one-of-a-kind artistic flair with other artists you meet. You can also use them as business cards.

Here is a shot video on how to make an artist trading card.


Tips:

While it's true that some people sell artist trading cards, it's customary only to trade them (their true purpose, according to purists) or perhaps give them away. Think of them as you might think of business cards: a small sample and reminder of your greater work.

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.

It's customary to make ATCs by hand, but that doesn't mean you couldn't place a sample of your work on a business card and treat it as such.

You can use ATCs as a form of networking, to help get in touch and keep in touch with other artists in your community.

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.

Because ATCs are small, they are an easy and fun way to try a new medium or technique.

While the purpose of ATC's is to trade, not sell, those who are interested in creating these wonderful works for profit, it would be more appropriate to list them as ACEO's (Art Cards, Editions, and Originals). These are more often made for the purpose of sale, and by labeling them appropriately we don't take away from the ATC namesake tradition. All creation rules are the same for ACEO's as they are for ATC's.