Artist trading cards (ATCs) are miniature one-of-a-kind works of art that are created to be shared or traded and are traditionally 2.5 inches x 3.5 inches in size.

Materials

Paper for background (e.g., heavy paper, cardstock)

Paper for collaging (e.g., construction paper, magazines, photos, scrap papers)

Drawing utensils (e.g., markers, crayons, colored pencils)

Adhesive (e.g., craft glue, tape, glue sticks) 

Tape (e.g., masking, painter’s tape, clear tape)

Scissors or a paper cutter

Envelopes

Stamps

Instructions

01. GATHER AND PREPARE MATERIALS

To begin, reach out to friends and family members to join you in creating a series of ATCs. Decide what size your cards will be. You can stay with the traditional size of 2.5 inches x 3.5 inches  or make whatever size cards you want. We encourage you to mail your cards so pick a size that is small enough to fit into an envelope or large enough to send as a postcard. Gather materials that reflect ideas you want your trading cards to inspire. Find a place at home where you can lay out your materials and comfortably work on your artwork.

02. CREATE THE BACKGROUND

Pick your background paper and cut multiple trading cards to size using scissors or a paper cutter. Using your collage materials, find shapes and images you would like to include in your ATC series. 

03. DESIGN AND ASSEMBLE

Your ATC will be two sided. You can work on one card at a time or several cards at once. Who are you sending your ATC to? Will your artwork have a theme? Will it be a collage? Will it include drawings? Will it include text? Begin assembling one side of your first ATC without adhesive. Consider what your entire series will look like as you assemble each card. 

04. SECURE AND PERSONALIZE

Once you are happy with your ATC compositions, begin pasting or taping down your images. Be sure to layer your shapes and allow space for drawing or text if desired. Finish your artwork by adding any details you would like.

05. COMPLETE AND SEND

On the reverse side of your ATC title, date, sign, and number your series. If your artwork is postcard size and mailable as is, be sure to include your return address and address of the friend or family member your ATC is going to. If your artwork will be mailed in an envelope, consider adding a drawing onto the envelope along with your return address and address of the friend or family member your ATC is going to. Take your artwork to your local post office to mail out your artwork as soon as possible! 

Share your Artist Trading Card series with CAMH! Email images of your trading cards to ytorres@camh.org or share them using the hashtags #ConnectWithCAMH and #MuseumFromHome.

About Virtual Open Studios

CAMH’s Virtual Open Studios feature instructions for pop-up activities that draw inspiration from the exhibitions on view. Using readily available materials you can find at home, explore imaginative concepts inspired by world-renowned artists who show at the Museum by making your own artworks in response to theirs. Virtual Open Studios are released on our website at 2PM, the first Saturday of every month. All ages, always free.