Do you have a bunch of Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) and no way to store them? I have the perfect solution for you: an ATC Envelope Folder! This folder will help you organize and keep all your ATCs in one place.

Materials Needed:

• Watercolor paper or heavy cardstock

• Acrylic paints

• White paint

• Posca Paint Markers, Stencils, Acrylic Ink, and/or stamps

• Precision Tip Applicator bottle

• Reptile Glue

• Double-sided tape

• Circle punch

• Two buttons

• Baker’s twine or jute twine

• Scissors

• Ruler

• Template for the cover and envelope folders (link to templates)

• Scoring Board 

Kits for the ATC Envelope Folder are available in my Shop. This includes everything you will need to make the envelope and 8 ATCs. You can find the description of what’s included in the kit in the listing.

**This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.**

Instructions:

Step One: Make the Cover

1. Trim the watercolor paper to 4 ½” x 13 ½”.

2. (Template link)

Step Two: Paint the Cover

1. Paint a coat of white paint on the cover.

2. Before the white paint dries, add swatches of three different colors in random directions.

3. Allow this layer to dry completely.

Step Three: Embellish the Cover

1. Once dry, add marks with Posca Paint Markers, Stencils, Acrylic Ink, and/or stamps.

2. Embellish as much or as little as you want.

Step Four: Prepare the Envelope Folders

1. Cut out twelve envelope folders using the template (link to pattern).

2. Score the tabs and right above the tabs.

3. Use a circle punch to make a notch at the top and bottom of the envelope, ensuring the notches line up when folded.

Step Five: Fold and Glue the Envelopes

1. Fold all the envelope folders.

2. Use Reptile Glue in a Precision Tip Applicator bottle to glue the tabs.

Step Six: Assemble the Folder

1. Glue the envelope folders together using double-sided tape. Apply the tape in the middle of each folder, from top to bottom.

Step Seven: Attach the Envelopes to the Cover

1. Glue the last folder to the back of the cover, ensuring the envelopes are placed right before the fold in the cover. You only need to glue the back part to the cover.

Step Eight: Create the Closure

1. Sew two buttons on the top flap of the cover: one at 2 ¾” (center) and the other about ½” from the bottom of the flap. Leave some slack for the twine.

2. Sew another button at 2 ¾” (center) and about 1 ⅞” from the bottom of the cover.

3. Loop baker’s twine around the top button and tie a knot. Make several loops and cut off any excess twine.

Final Touches

Your ATC Envelope Folder is now ready to be filled with your designs or ATCs swapped with others!

If you are interested in participating in an ATC Swap, please leave your name and address in the comments and I’ll be glad to add you to the list.

If you’d like to know more about ATCs, be sure and read my blog post “Miniature Masterpieces: ATCs” and join my Private Facebook Group - Artist Summer Camp 2024. I just spent an entire week in June, showing demonstrations on how to create your own backgrounds, ephemera and how to put the cards together. Plus if you join the group, you will receive a FREE ATC Back Information Sheet.

Be sure and PIN for later!