Author Archives: Jeannie Lin

Romance trading cards – Download Templates

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Hello RTC’ers! I tried to make this as easy as I could.

Here are the templates for download. They are in compressed zip files and are saved as .PNG files which should be usable in most image programs. A good open source that’s available online is GIMP. There’s a Windows and I believe Linux download here. Mac users…um..you’re on your own. I don’t know Mac.

Download GIMP 2.6.11

When you open the template, you’ll notice that it’s lying on it’s side, like this:

That’s because that’s how you have to turn it into GotPrint. (I asked them if there was any way to change that and they said not at this time.)

So you may need to flip the image to work with it and flip it back. There are separate layers for the frame. The Guideline layer is what GotPrint provides. You’ll see how I tried to frame the borders and lettering around those guides. When you save it to send to GotPrint, you must remove the guide layer or make it invisible so it doesn’t show up.

You’ll be uploading TWO images to GotPrint – the front and the back.

To do your cover on the back, you’ll have to format your image in the same way by lying it on it’s side:

Now it’s time to get friendly with your graphic design friends. Everyone knows someone, right?

Remember, all images must follow the GotPrint guidelines:

Click on image to download GotPrint basic template

The templates below have been created with those guidelines incorporated. If you are not using the genre templates, please adhere to the guides above so your images show correctly.

Historical Contemporary Erotic Romance Romantic Suspense
Paranormal Fantasy Futuristic Women’s Fiction
I will not be creating any more templates. If you wish to add a different genre, you may download the generic template and create your own.
Inspirational Generic

Romance Trading Cards – Who’s IN?

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Download the FAQ

Download RTC Templates

Join the Web Tutorial on Romance Trading Card Templates and GIMP: March 5, 7-9pm EST – Link will be here. DM on Twitter or e-mail for Password.

A chat on Twitter (#romancetradingcards) quickly converged into a fun promotion idea for RT 2011 and RWA 2011. It’s simple — authors print romance trading cards with their heros and heroines and readers can collect them all.

As the questions about design and standardization are beginning to gather so I figured it was time to gather everyone together.

So far, we have this quote from GotPrint if we want to standardize on size. I’ve used them before and found them quite reasonable and user-friendly, but always open for any other vendors with better pricing if you know them:

Standard size & printing: Trading Cards from GotPrint

Other ideas:

  • Cover on one side
  • Character stats on other – Height, age, description
  • Best lines
  • Similar border or logo on backside to unify cards – i.e. knotwork design

Example:

So here’s a starter for discussion. These are rough prototypes only. Do not use these files to create your cards. I can provide the layered, high resolution files for use with Photoshop, Fireworks, or another imaging program once the design is finalized.

I tried to choose a neutral border that still felt romance-y. Keeping in mind that this needs to look good with historical, paranormal, contemporary, etc. I went with a border that looked like a pewter frame. The border and the lettering for “Romance Trading Cards” below will hopefully unify the design. The back will be the book cover.

This was a quick job so cropping and other details may be asymmetical. I’ll fix in final version. Actual print size is 2.5 x 3.5.

What do you think?  (I’ve finalized the design with a genre specific color scheme as suggested. Download RTC Templates)

Note: You don’t need special art for the backside. It can include part of your cover (if that’s allowed) or just stats and info like on baseball cards.

An alternative example from author Moira Rogers, independently created here.

Who’s Participating in Romance Trading Cards:

The author listing has been moved to: www.romancetradingcards.com

And the ideas are flying as well. For example, we may have a listing at RT so readers will know who to seek out for cards. Keep those ideas coming! Who else is in? (Comment below and I’ll gather names and post above)

Remember hashtag #romancetradingcards if you’re following the discussion on Twitter.