Saturday, March 7, 2009

Artist Trading Cards

There are a lot of questions about artists' trading cards, called ATCs for short. Artist Trading Cards originated in Switzerland in 1997 with the intention for artists to share their work.

These miniature pieces of art, of any medium, only have two rules: 1) they must always be 2 ½ x 3 ½ inches in size (the size of a standard deck of playing cards and sports trading cards. Some use these as a base for altering ATCs) and 2) they must only be traded or gifted, never sold.

They can be used as an artist’s business or calling card. Paper artists love to swap them online and if you Google Artist Trading Cards you will find many examples. Avid swappers like to store their cards in baseball card sleeve protectors/sheets and altered playing card deck boxes. You can also then use them on your card fronts for quick cards.

You should always sign, number, and date your work on the back and you can put your contact information if you want.

Why don't you try an ATC this weekend and post a comment here to let us know about it. Your comment may be selected as this months blog candy winner!

2 comments:

  1. I know what ATCs are but am not a fan of them.

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  2. I made one last week as a challenge on SCS...was my first one...might try it again...

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