I’m often asked the question, “What do you DO with your digital projects?” Sure, I can leave them in digital photo frames, in online galleries … or I can print pages and turn them into hybrid projects. Afraid to step into hybrid? How about a little itty-bitty ATC card like this – it’s only 2.5” x 3.5”.
Begin by opening Photoshop (Elements or Creative Suite) and set a custom canvas size (or background) to 2.5” x 3.5”. You could do something with rounded corners, or not. I’ve chosen to create a rounded corner rectangle on a slightly larger canvas size, just for illustrative purposes.
Add a background. I’m using Lori Whitlock’s Christmas Day kit. Now, keep in mind, working on the smaller canvas will mean that your traditional papers, usually sized 12”x12”, will be huge! You might have to do some re-sizing, particularly when adding elements, to keep things in proportion. With this paper, however, I kept the measurements “as is”.
Next, add some elements. Sounds like you’re building a scrapbook page, right? Well, the premise is the same for an ATC, however, ATC’s tend to be a more artistic free-form project, with no photographs and no journaling (I hear many of you cheering right now!).
Print your ATC. I’ve chosen to print on matte photo paper with the printer set as “best quality” to help retain the bright red color in Lori’s elements.
Cut out ATC and adhere to an ATC base. I have some pre-made chipboard ATC bases, but you could use anything – corrugated from a box, really heavy cardstock, etc. If you cut your ATC a little larger than the base, it will give you a little wiggle room for trimming. I also like to then grab a very fine grit sandpaper (yes, just regular sandpaper) and sand the edges – single strokes from the front of the card over the edge, toward the back – to help blend the paper into the base.
Apply a thin layer of gel medium to the front of your ATC to protect the paper. Depending on the type of paper and printer used, the gel may also bring out the colors on your ATC a little more. I have both Mod Podge and Liquitex’s Matte Gel Medium – I prefer the latter for ATCs as it dries a little faster and doesn’t have the stickiness or tackiness of the Mod Podge (well, that’s how my applications of Mod Podge finish up LOL). I’ve also experimented with a high gloss finish, but like the matte much better.
Tip: Make sure your ATC is well and truly dry before adding the gel. If your print has not had sufficient time to dry and cure, adding the gel – even a light layer – may result in bleeding of your colors.
It’s traditional to sign the back of ATCs – so go ahead … sign! This is your “mark” or signature on your piece of mini art.
Easy-peasy, right? I chose to print everything on one layer, but you could also print the penguin separately, for example, and add him with some pop-dots for dimension.
