Thinking of making ATCs

As a printmaker and occasional tattoo designer, I've got lots of friends always wanting my art, but sometimes I don't want to give them a print since I do small editions of 10 or fewer.

I've not ever made ATCs before though I have received some thru a few CO+K swaps. So, I have a few questions that haven't really been asked here before.

I have a really distinct style of preparing my paper since I'm a lithographer... I always tear my paper to size by hand. So, my questions are - should my ATCs have clean-cut edges? I'm rather partial to the way a torn edge looks.
Do they have to be exactly a certain size, or just close to the size of a standard trading card?
Oh, and are pencil drawings acceptable? When I'm not working on prints, I work in graphite pencil in the full range from 6H to 6B. Of course, I'll usually protect a good drawing with fixative if I'm planning on hanging it or giving it away.

If you have any other insights for a first-time ATC maker, please share them. :3

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4 replies since 17th October 2012 • Last reply 17th October 2012

Reply #1:

Of course you can do torn edges.Just as long as they're the correct size which is

2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches

This is the only rule really.Pencil drawing make beautiful ATC's.Just remember to sign them as they may travel far..
The ethos is that they are always traded and never sold so I think they make a nice way to share your art..
As I love to read as well as play I'd recommend
Artist Trading Card Workshop by Bernie Berlin if your library has a copy it's a great read.
I did a series from the string tutorial. images later got to do college run Happy

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Reply #2:

Thanks, Debs Happy I've always got really nice printmaker's paper scraps and I'm glad I don't have to recycle it now. Pretty soon, I'll have a shipping box full of ATC-sized scraps. haha

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Reply #3:

Yeah you can tear them, actually you could do anything with them, as long as their the standard size. id just make sure theyre on good, thick paper (like trading cards are) so they dont get damaged easily. I always seal mine with mod-podge, so theyre shiny & pretty hard/tarnish proof. lol I usually use cut cereal boxes, bc theyre thick & white on inside.
Most of my ATC's ive swapped on here are hand-drawn also bc im an artist. & i think people actually appreciate them more bc their art. A few people have actually told me that theyve hung em up in their room. Makes me feel good. Happy

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Reply #4:

Cool! I just made an edition of 5 prints today, and I think I might cut up the proofs into ATCs since I use my good paper for everything. Happy Then, I can just kinda add in color as I please.
The ModPodge is a good idea. I might have to get some more soon.

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