ATC Basics / What Are ATCs?

ATC Basics for Swappermania

ATC = Artist Trading Card

The one rule that makes an ATC
derives from their origins: the dimensions of
the ATC must be 2.5"x3.5", or 64x89mm.

Some other "rules" for ATCs...

First, an ATC mustn't be sold, only exchanged,
as the whole essence of these tiny works of
art is about artists meeting (by correspondence
or online if need be) and exchanging their works,
thus meeting many artists and getting exposed to
many personal styles.

Second, on the back of each handcrafted (not copied)
ATC the artist writes part or all of the following
information: name, contact information, title of
the ATC and number (1/8, 2/8...) if it's part of
an edition. By definition ATCs are made in limited
numbers, often no more than one of a kind. Unique
ATCs are called originals; sets of identical ATCs
are called editions and are numbered; sets of
ATCs that are based on one theme but that are
different are called series. Copied ATC's do
not fall into editions or series.  Copied ATC's
should include the title & contact information on the
back of the ATC.

Your cards should be made on sturdy cardstock
or many are using playing cards.  The playing
cards can be bought at the dollar stores,
2 decks for a dollar.  Please be sure to
measure them, as not all playing cards are
the standard ATC size of 2 1/2 x 3 1/2. 

Art traded and/or posted on this blog of a political,
racial or otherwise controversial nature is not
acceptable.  This group is not about politics or
other controversial issues. The group is about
sharing our art and growing/learning as artists.

For the purposes of this blog, original, copy, and
digital ATC's are defined as the following:
ORIGINAL: An original ATC in the broadest sense refers
to a handcrafted ATC.  Generally when a swap host requests
"original art" they are referring to handcrafted ATC's.
If any swap participant needs clarification from a
swap host, the swap host should be contacted directly.
Please see the Swap Guidelines.
A COPY is defined as a photocopy or other mechanical
reproduction of an "original" or handcrafted ATC.
A DIGITAL ATC is one that is produced in a graphics
editing software program and printed.
If a swapper has an ATC that does not easily
fit into any of the above categories, please contact
your ATC trading partner or swap host.  Communicate
to the other person how you made the ATC before trading,
if the ATC does not fit into one of the above categories.



Here is an example of a "Vintage: Letter B" ATC I made:

  

Feel free to share pictures of your ATCs or videos of you
making ATCs in the Comments below :)


Here are some great videos I found about making ATCs:








That's all, happy swapping!