Sketch cards are one-of-a-kind, hand-drawn, trading cards. Sometimes known as ACEOs (Artist Cards, Editions and Originals) or ATCs (Art Trading Cards). They are usually sized at the traditional 2.5 x 3.5 inches, though occasionally may be larger. The card must be an original work that has been drawn or painted by hand, not a reproduction. I’ve heard them described as “original art that fits in your pocket”, which makes them easy and addictive to collect.

Many artists make their own personal sketch cards, but most cards are commissioned by companies like Topps, Upper Deck, Perna Studios, 5FINITY, and others. Card companies commission artists to draw a number of sketch cards that are randomly inserted into the packs of printed trading cards. Therefore each pack will have a one-off unique sketch card. Many collectors then trade or buy and sell with other collectors in order to collect art cards from their favourite artists or of their favourite characters. Some card sets will allow artists to create ‘puzzle cards’, which are several individual cards, when put together make one fully realized image. This adds to the fun or frustration for collectors.

While not the highest paying gig for artists, a lot of the projects are interesting concepts and some jobs include working on popular licensed characters making sketch cards a fun side job alongside other work. Another perk is the APs (Artist Proofs). These are blank cards provided by the company as part of your payment which you can draw on and sell at your own price, either as a commission for a collector or sold on line or at a convention. However the art will usually still have to be approved by the company.