Sketch Card Terminology

[ashelton]

Figured we needed something like this here.

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1/1 (One of One)

1/1 means it is one of one aka the only one like it in existence. Therefore, an original. Technically even repeated sketches (ie the much-derided Indiana Jones monkeys) are originals as the artist had to draw each by hand and from scratch. Even prints in the fine art world can be considered 1/1 if the artist added anything to the picture after the fact. Trading card fans, though, do not find repeated sketches as desirable or collectible and make an argument for its lack of individuality.

ACEO (Artist Cards, Editions & Originals)

Basically the Fine Art world's answer to trading cards' PSCs. Both are non-set, unofficial, unlicensed cards. ACEOs can be original art or prints (editions) and so might or might not be a copy. As suggested by their inclusion, prints are an accepted practice for fine art sketch cards... not so much, though, in the trading card world.

Artist Exclusive (AE)

Cards given to the sketch artists to sell for themselves as part of their compensation for completing set work. Artist Exclusives can be either Artist Proofs or Artist Returns. So when you're buying ARs or APs, while not pulled from packs, you're giving money directly to the artist rather than the company or flippers or what-have-you.

Artist Proof (AP)

Artist Proofs are blanks given to the sketch artists to sell for themselves as part of their compensation for completing set work. In other words, they are official, licensed and affiliated with particular sets, but not inserted into packs or able to be pulled by collectors; only obtained from participating artists. Artists may either sell APs as commissions on the cards or complete the cards to sell finished, at their discretion, both pending licenser approval. Essentially, APs and ARs are both compensation and tend to be used interchangeably more and more often. When you buy APs you are giving money directly to the artist.

Artist Return (AR)

Artist Returns are cards completed alongside the set cards, but returned to the sketch artists to sell for themselves as part of their compensation for completing set work. In other words, they are official, licensed and affiliated with particular sets, but not inserted into packs or able to be pulled by collectors; only obtained from participating artists. They are always sold finished. Some Returns must be given back to the company with the set cards (hence Return) in order to be marked as such, and then are shipped back to the artist again. Some come to the artist already labeled as Returns and only require scans to be sent for licenser approval. Essentially, APs and ARs are both compensation and tend to be used interchangeably more and more often. When you buy APs you are giving money directly to the artist.

ATC (Artist Trading Card)

ATC is a term that came from the fine art faction of sketch cards rather than the trading card faction. ATCs were meant to be a way for artists to be able to collect art, themselves. By definition, ATCs were never to be offered for sale or paid for, only traded.

Chase Cards

Rare inserts of various types included in card products. Inserted in a ratio so as not to be found and completed at the same rate as common cards, collectors have to "chase" them in order to complete whole sets. Nonsports Chase Cards can be anything from varients of base cards, specially finished cards, wardrobe and autograph cards, sketch cards... or a whole slew of other possibilities.

Base Cards

Base cards are reproductions of art, photos or screencaps that may or may not originally be 2.5x3.5" These are not the same as sketch cards, which are original art done directly on blank card canvases.

Pack Pulled (or Packed Out) Sketch Cards

These are original art cards commissioned by card companies to be inserted into their products. Some card sets are considered Premium Sketch Products and contain one or more sketch card as the main feature of a pack. Some card sets are more traditional and use Sketch Cards as one of many types of incentive or chase cards, with the main feature being Base Cards and Sketches falling less than one per pack... like once per box or per case. Regardless of rarity, pack pulled sketch cards always* have a chance to be, yanno, "pack pulled" by collectors.
*Unless they get held back by the company to be used as replacements for damaged card claims, or for other similar uses.

PSC (Personal Sketch Card)

Cards completed by artists as personal projects and not in association with an official or licensed sketch/card product. Artists often draw licensed properties (ie Marvel characters) on PSCs, but since they are not affiliated with official sets (ie Rittenhouse or Upper Deck products) they were not approved by by the license holder.

Return

*see Artist Return*

Sketch Cards

Original art drawn on 2.5x3.5" canvases, typically, but can sometimes be larger as in oversized, double, triple or quad paneled or booklet cards. Sketch cards can be pretty much anything within those bounds. Artists create sketch cards with marker, pencil, colored pencil, ink, paint... you name it. Sketch cards can be cut from larger canvases by the artist, bought pre-cut, on personal stock commissioned by the artist from printers, or official set card stock.