The original script is available here from the good folk at Nihilogic Labs. If you love to work in Photoshop, the possibilities are limitless for what you can reveal behind the original image. Clicking on the “Fiesta” image below will take you to my web page so you can mouse around with the x-ray effect yourself. It’s fun, so get out there and play.

Fiesta de la Vida logo with an x-ray effect applied using javascript

In the second screen shot, you’ll see the value of Red, Green and Blue for the light yellow swatch I had the cursor hovering over. Just combine each of the three numbers to get your six digit Hex number. No need to dig around in the CSS or HTML on a page to find the number value of a color you like, and may want to test out in your own digital design.

Locating Mac's Digital Color Meter App on your Computer

RGB Hex Value Demo using Mac's Digital Color Meter App

A screen shot of the images I uploaded to MOO for their free offer.

….
Have I mentioned just how much I love Moo Mini-cards? Probably not on my blog. But I’ve done the appropriate amount of squealing, gushing, strutting, and effusing about them to friends, coworkers and strangers who take my card. (And yes, when I first received them in the mail, there was a happy dance involved in the privacy of my kitchen).

Anyway, I was on the Moo site today, and noticed they had an offer for ten free business cards, so I thought I’d give ‘em a try before ordering a larger quantity. I uploaded eight of my own images, customized the flip side with contact details, and a little banner image across the top, hit the send button, and now twiddle my thumbs until they arrive.

Moo’s headquartered in London, but opened an additional shop on the East Coast  a few months ago. This is great news for those of us State-side, b/c shipping time will be uber-quick. So here’s a little digital shout-out to Moo. They’re also on FB and have a great blog, – take a gander.

Steps

1. Start with the size in mind. Artist trading cards are generally 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches. This is the size of playing cards and other trading cards. You can even start with mismatched playing cards as a base for collage or altered item artwork.
2. Cut the background material to size.
3. Choose your media. You may start by cutting card stock 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.
4. 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.
5. Work somewhat quickly. 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.
6. Make lots. 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.
7. Show your style. Is there a particular palette or medium you prefer or a technique you’ve been exploring lately?
8. Sign 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.
9. Title your work. The title is optional, but it will give your recipients or viewers a context in which to view your work.
10. Share. 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.
    • 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 may have 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.
11. Collect others’ ATCs. 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.

Video

About 1 minute and 40 seconds into the video, it’s shown 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.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Artist Trading Cards. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.