Printing Digital ATC's

[mishou]

Hey all,

So I am on the verge of making, printing and mailing my first ATC's ever so I was hoping I could get some advice from all you pro's on the best way to go about this.

What kind of paper do you prefer to print on? Cardstock? Or something glossy? What's better?

How many fit on one page? 9? How do you get them all on one page if you're using Photoshop? Do you have to create an 8x11.5 file and stick 'em on one by one or is there some kind of trick where PS does it for you?

And any other advice you might have would be appreciated :)

[Kazadoodle]

I had a site for this and a template - hang on, I'll see if I can find it - it's bookmarked at home but I'm at work.

Okay, I found it - here it is:

ATC Cutting Diagram (http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/tcdiag.htm)

I would use, I've never printed any, those card covers you use for sprial bound reports - you know the kind I mean? They are reasonably cheap and come in lots of colours

[happyrobyn]

I only print 9 to a sheet. That template looks cool but if your printer isn't a true edge to edge printer, it will chop off some. I printed my last ones on matte photo paper and the backs on plain cardstock and then glued them together.

MG - if you want my PS template, I can mail it to you but basically, just open an 8.5x11 document and set them all up side by side. Butt them right up next to each other - makes for easier cutting.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[Kazadoodle]

I agree with you Robyn - I think the template was designed for hands on ATC's, you know - using real stuff instead of digi - LOL

[mishou]

Thanks for the tips guys! That helps. I will try making my own template in Photoshop.

Hey Robyn, when you say you glued the two parts of the ATC together, what type of glue did you use? LOL Sorry to get into the details but you know . . . inquiring minds . ..

[Kazadoodle]

When I do that sort of thing, I use my Xyron - lacking that, I use that double sided sticky stuff that's so popular with paper scrappers that comes in a roll on - doesn't that sound weird? LOL

[happyrobyn]

I bought a giant glue stick at Joanne's Fabrics in the scrapbooking section. It said it was acid free and all that stuff.

Now don't tell anyone but on this last bunch of ATC's I made from paper, I used some Krazy Glue. LOL! Nothing else was working. I'm quite sure it is not acid free so if you still have the card in like 100 years, it may fade or something! ROFL!!!

[kygirl]

Once you've printed them, what do you do with them? Trade them? Mount them in sleeves like baseball cards? Frame them?

If I ever get this ATC game series finished, I'd like to frame them. Has anybody found someone that supplies pre-cut matting or pre-made frames for displaying cards. I hate to pay professional framer's rates. (Yup. I'm cheap.)

[happyrobyn]

My husband is a baseball card nut so I stole some of his baseball card sleeves that are meant to go in a album and I started my own album.

[AmyK]

I've got the baseball card page protectors for my ATC collection too.

And I print on Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper, then use double-stick tape to tape it to cardstock. No mess, no fuss.

[Nevermore]

I think I need a video on using double stick tape. It always sticks to one item and me. Okay, so how about an installation piece--A living ATC display with Medusa threads of double sided tape crowded with cards...

[jessica b]

I haven't really printed any of my digital ATC's yet, but when I first got into making ATC's... I thought you had to actually alter a playing card for it to be done right. doh! Anyhow to stick my first layer to the card... I have used glue sticks, tape runner/photo mounting squares, mod podge....

[SteinwaysMom]

We have a cool idea for an ATC Tag book (http://www.digitalartquirks.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=65) based on KYGirl's tagbook.

My printer won't work w/my new computer so I doubled up 2 ATC's on a 3 1/2 x 5 standard photo print and then cut it in two.

Then I found this doodaad called a Corner Cutter at Walmart (size Small) for a couple bucks to make nice rounded corners. Well, that's one mystery solved!

I wish they made perforated ATC sheets like they do for business cards. That would make it so easy.

[CathyRose]

I make an 8x10 doc in PhotoShop Elements and print them 9 to a page.
Usually I print them on heavy weight coated cardstock, nothing too glossy, because I don't want them to look like photos. Printing them on vellum is really interesting too. I use Golden brand extra heavy gel matte medium with a flat artist's brush to glue them to cardstock backs or Xryon them. I store mine in a binder with loose leaf pages made for ATC's. When I trade them I usually make some kind of special envie or presentation card to go with them.

[Nevermore]

Wow, you sound so professional Miss CathyRose!

[akissling]

Donna,
I bought a premade frame with a precut, white matte, big enough to fit 4 atcs perfectly!. It was also cheap (5.99)!!!! The frames are wood, painted black but you could prime and paint them another color if you wanted!

[akissling]

I forgot to mention that I use epson photoquality ink jet paper (matte) and they come out so crisp and true to color. I also added this tip to make my 100th post!!! I am not going to make the 500 by the end of May but I am content with over 100!!!!

[SteinwaysMom]

Great suggestions! I think 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 is a standard photo size so deals like Alison's don't surprise me - I've even seen little teeny photo brag books in this size for cheap.

Hey I was thinking of getting an Epson printer (below $200) but I want to mostly print on heavy/matte materials like cardstock and fabric sheets (to use the images in altered projects). For straight photos I send them to a service so I won't be printing many glossy photos.

Any suggestions for which model is best would be appreciated.

[happyrobyn]

What happened to the Debra I used to know who was all digi?! Glad you are getting your hands dirty! I actually went to a paper crop last night.

[SteinwaysMom]

Robyn! Another traitor to the digital only club? Did they clue you in on the wonders of Modge Podge?

Actually this altered kick is a logical next step. I'm not gonna slave over these digital masterpieces just to shove them in an album. I want to use them as gift items and home decor so the altered thing is more about creative presentation of the digital...

[happyrobyn]

No ... nothing about hodge podge! ROFL! They were all plain and simple scrappers so when I started doing some actual paper and scissors primitive extraction they were like ... "What are you doing to that portriat??!!" But they liked the result. I should scan the pages I did last night. Not too quirky though... just cute kid pages!!

[akissling]

Debra,
I have an epson stylus photo 1280 and it prints BEAUTIFULLY! It can print up to a 12x12 page. I know a place that sells them online inexpensively (compared to other places so "quirk-mail" (or should it be qui-ail" me if) you want the site. Strangely, I have picked up scissors and paper this week too! Something strange is going on here! I will post it shortly (I am making a shadow box...quirky-style).

[happyrobyn]

I believe we have Q-mail here!

[akissling]

Just plain old Q Mail?? Surely there is another name!!! Q Mail??? Hmmm...think, think...to be continued!!

[CathyRose]

I am glad there is some paper flying around here too! It is good to be able to share all kinds of art!

[Chinook]

I do the same as Amy - I use double stick tape whenever I can as I am NOT a fan of glue.

I print my ATC's on on a variety of mediums, but my favourite is the glossy photo cardstock. I use Costco's KIRKLAND brand as it is really nice and heavy. I love the look of the finished ATC gives when it's printed on glossy.

I have also made them a little smaller than the std size and printed them on transparencies ... then stapled the cut-apart transparencies over std sized ATCs that have some kind of image on them. So you see the image through the transparancy.

I've tried ink jet canvas, and LOVE the look but HATE trying to cut it out after.

Have done a few on vellum - still playing with that a bit.

[Chinook]

Forgot to add that I print mine in PS on an 8x10 canvas. I get 8 to a sheet that way.

[Cargo]

Thanks for the tips on glueing the cards together. Have just one question. Has anyone used the spray adhesive to glue the front and backs? I just printed out my first cards and found that the glossy photo paper made them stand out better then card stock or other types of paper.
Carolyn

[webchyck]

I have tried spray adhesive for other things, and man, you've gotta be good with that stuff to get it right. And when you layer the two things, they'd better be dead on, because I don't think they'd come apart! LOL!

I've received several glossy photo paper ATCs and they really do look nice and rich! Love Karen's ideas for different print media. Will have to be thinking about those options for the future!

[happyrobyn]

Here's what I did this go-around... I cut out 2.5x3.5 cardstock. Then I printed the fronts and backs of my ATC's on photo quality matte paper (it's kind of like cardstock). I made them slightly smaller than 2.5x3.5. Then I glued them to each side of the cardstock. It gave me a nice thick card with a small border which I thought looked nice. The good thing about this is that you don't have to be so precise with the fronts and backs because they aren't actually the border ... the center cardstock is! I hope this makes sense. Those of you in the June Bugs swap will see what I mean in a few days!

[happyrobyn]

I forgot to mention how I attached the front and back ... I just used double-sided tape! LOL!

[webchyck]

Brilliant Robyn! I am SO doing that next time!!!

[PamPie]

Good idea Robyn--I considered doing that myself and although I didn't end up doing it for the June Bug card, I will for sure keep it in mind for the future. This time around I tediously trimmed and matched the front and back. Some worked better than others! LOL!

Did I say 'future'?! Yup, I think I might just do another swap ;)

[webchyck]

Oh yay! We have a convert to swapping! I'm glad you're thinking of doing another one, Pam!