ATC’s  Artist Trading Cards (ATC’s) are miniature pieces of art that are traded around the world. Artists create, trade and collect art at organized “swap” events, either in person or online. It is a great way to meet other artists and share your work. The only official rule for ATC’s is the size: 2.5” x 3.5”.  Details including artist name, name of the ATC, contact information, and numbering, are written on the backside.

Artist Trading Card (ATC) Trivia  ATC’s are miniature works of art  The idea of making ATC’s was born in 1997 by Swiss artist M. Vanci Stirnemann. He wanted to document his work, and the work of others at the conference, and discovered that the cost was far too grand to print a catalogue of the 1,200 participants. Stirnemann decided to create 1,200 cards by hand so that he could distribute them to everyone who attended the art show. Everyone was encouraged to do the same, and at the end of the show, the ATC’s were traded. This was a very successful idea that rapidly spread across the world.

ATC Swaps  Today there are ATC swaps in almost every major city around the world. There are also many online swaps.  Most swaps are open to any media, materials or techniques as long as the card fits into a standard trading card sleeve. Art can be original, limited edition or series.  ATC’s are never sold–only traded  ATC’s are the size of a baseball card–2 ½” x 3 ½”  Cards that are sold are called Art Card Editions or Originals (ACEO)

 By definition ATCs are made in limited numbers, often no more than one of a kind.  Unique ATCs are called originals; and are numbered;  Sets of ATCs that are based on one theme but that are different are called series “Painted Desert” by Roger L. Waggener " Toothill Ranges Dry River Bed and Tracks” by Llewena Newell

ATC’s and ACEO’s  Art can be original, limited edition or series.  Artists should include part or all of the following informati0n on the back of the card:  Name  Contact Information  Title of piece  Number if it is part of an edition or series (1/8, 2/8...)

How to Trade Cards  You can locate an in-person swap in your area, find an online swap, or organize your own swap.  There are a number of Web sites that others have created to help artists get started.  They can be found by doing online searches using key words such as “ artist trading cards.”  Source:

 Artist Trading Cards have been around for less than a decade. Yet, their historical roots can be traced back to the Mail Art movement of the 1960s, and even earlier to the Dadaist movement of the 1920s.  Swiss artist M. Vanci Stirnemann first developed the concept of Artist Trading Cards in 1996, when he decided to document his activities with other artists by producing a catalogue of 1,200 cards he created by hand. He exhibited the cards at his bookstore gallery in Zürich in May  On the last day of the exhibit, Stirnemann invited anyone who wanted a card to create their own ATC to trade during the closing reception.

Lorna Lovell

Gillian Allen

Cinda Oliverio

Lilla Le Vine

Becky Christian

How to Make ATC’s and ACEO’s  The list of possible subjects is endless, and amongst the techniques which can be used are painting, collage, rubber stamping, needlework, beading, photography, digital image manipulation…  You'll need a piece of suitable material, 2½ by 3½ inches in size. It may be in either portrait or landscape orientation, and the corners can be either rounded or unrounded; it's purely a matter of personal preference. It's usual to use cardstock, but other possibilities include fabric, canvas, leather, acetate, metal and cork sheet. You could even use playing cards, if they are the right size.

Backgrounds  Whatever you use has to be fairly flat; although artist trading cards may include three-dimensional elements like buttons and charms, most swap groups insist that they are thin enough to fit in a standard trading card sleeve. It also needs to have a certain stiffness, so you might have to back fabric or canvas, for example, with card or interfacing.

 Another great way to create backgrounds is with rubber stamps. Combine stamped images with other techniques by, for example, using a repeated motif or a stamp specially designed for the purpose. These include collaged images and textures, like crackled paintwork or various fabrics. You can also apply ink from a stamp pad using a rubber roller, or brayer, to produce different effects, or use your ink pad to apply color directly to your surface with a dabbing or rubbing motion.

 Another readily available source for backgrounds is the wealth of designer papers intended for scrapbooking. These can be found in a wide variety of colors and designs to suit every subject.  Look for interesting textures and effects like old wood and distressed paintwork, or old manuscripts, books, music and maps. Alternatively, if you find old magazines, newspapers and books that nobody wants, why not use the real thing?  You can cover the whole card with one piece, or with several different pieces torn into strips or mosaic shapes.

Backgrounds –not plain

Textural elements added

 You may also find pictures in magazines and travel brochures which would make ideal backgrounds for your theme. The important thing is that the image should complement, and not compete with, your main subject.  Many of those who make artist trading cards prefer to create their own backgrounds using paint, color washes, chalks or inks.

Adding a Focal Point

Add Embellishments

The Addition of Text

Techniques for Altered Art  Collage  Designer Papers  Die Cutting  Embellishments  Fabrics and Other Materials  AcetateCanvas  ChipboardFabrics and Lace  FibersFriendly Plastic®Metal  Metal Foil FlakesPaper Clay  Polymer ClayShrink Plastic  Ultra-thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE)

 Glues and Adhesives  Paints, Inks and Glazes  PaintsInks  Glazes  Rubber Stamping o Rubber StampsRubber Stamping Inks  Rubber Stamping Techniques  Brayer Techniques  Direct-to-Paper Techniques  Embossing Techniques  Resist Techniques  Tools