There are only two rules for an ATC:
The size is 2.5" x 3.5".
The card is made for trading, not selling.
Hoowever.... a beginning ATC artist may benefit from seeing some examples.
THAT is what this page is all about!
NOTE: 251114: I wll be working on this section of the website for the rest of the month. Come back ... later !
In meanwhile, you can get some ideas by going through the Gallery
Many beginning ATC artists do not feel confident in their drawing skills.
They MAY have a lot of crafty materials on hand, especially scrapbooking supplies.
So the simplest way to start making ATCs may be to make a "crafty card," or a "crafty colláge."
Use the scrapbooking supplies you have on hand (decorative papers, stickers, washi tape, Cricut cut-outs, stamps, etc) and make a colláge card. (Or a mixed media ATC....)
As I write this page on November 13, 2025, the majority of the cards offered on the "main" ATC Facebook page ATC Artist Trading Cards (Emily's Group) are what I call "crafty cards."
If you have crafty supplies, this is a good place to start.
"HD" stands for hand drawn.
If you are confident in your drawing skills, DRAW!
Marker on cardstock is probably the easiest media combination.
Alcohol markers are great on paper
Alcohol markers are even more exciting on Yupo.
Colored pencils are great for ATCs.
Prismacolor Pencils on Stonehenge Black watercolor paper are even greater!
If you are going to make a watercolor ATC, be sure to use watercolor paper.
The size of an ATC may make things difficult for the beginning watercolor artist. But there are many great tutorials available for watercolor ATCs.
I've been trading ATCs online since early 2020. I have seen very few cards made with acrylic paint on canvas. This suprises me, because acrylic paint on canvas makes a GREAT Artist Trading card.
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I'm SO excited. Inspired by Bettina Weishoff, I made my first nine-card set.
Here are the steps I followed to make this set.
