Artist Trading Cards
or ATCs

by Rick Daddario

Artist Trading Cards (also known as ATCs) have become a very common format among many artists and especially popular among Mail Art groups.

One of the things I like about ATCs is that anyone, all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience worldwide, can create an ATC and swap with them.

The idea behind ATCs began as a way for artist friends to remain in contact and connected. With ATCs they could share with each other what each was doing in their larger works. The original idea was that ATCs would never be sold or bought. They were only to be traded. From that beginning ATCs became a way to establish networks between artists, develop new contacts and exchange ideas. It has expanded now to where ATC swapping is a world of its own.

There are a few rules that all ATCs follow in order to be considered an ATC.

1 - ATCs are always 2.5 x 3.5 inches (6.35 x 8.9 cm), which is the same size as a standard USA playing card or most “Sport” trading cards like baseball cards.

2 - ATCs are never to be sold. They are to be traded only.

3 - Most ATCs have the artists name and a way to contact that person some place on the card, often the back.

That’s about it. Additional information can be added to an ATC of course. Many people like to include a title, date, and a specific swap or group if that is why the ATC was created or even who the ATC was intended to be given to in a swap. Other things may also include materials used and how many were made if it is part of a series, or if they are all made the same way or if they are multiples or duplicates.

ATCs and Mail Art in general has embraced a lot of multidiscipline groups and people around the world. Artists, crafts people, writers, scrapbookers, other individuals and just about any other discipline you’d like to include all create ATCs to swap. As this might suggest there are many techniques and materials that can be used to make an ATC. There are also many different ways that ATCs are swapped too.

There have become categories for ATCs, a drawn and/or painted ATC is not usually considered in the same category as a duplicate of a drawn or painted ATC although both can be swapped. Digital drawing/painting and/or photos are another category.

After a time ATCs became so popular that they were no longer swapped just between friends. They became a way to make new connections establishing communities around the swapping of ATCs. Some ATCs became sought after and desirable to collectors. This collecting issue became a heated topic when along with collecting came a desire to purchase ATCs.

In many cases artists do not make much money even if the price tag on their work looks high. In some cases artists who were making ATCs began to be asked if they would sell their ATCs to people who could not create or swap on par with an artist. “Why not?” became one side of the issue, on the other side of the issue was the original intent of an ATC.

Eventually those who wanted to be able to sell their “small works” chose to call their “small works” by another name yet still work in the 2.5 x 3.5 inch format. They began to call their works ACEOs, short for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. This issue is still uncomfortable for many throughout the artist community. Currently there are many examples of both philosophies going on all over the net and world.

If you’d like to get an idea of just how big Artist Trading Cards and Art Cards, Editions and Originals have become, enter either term into a search engine and watch how many sites come up. Then click on Images and take a look at what is out there.

The ATCs I’ve included with this article are samples of my own work, mostly created in the last couple of years. I’ve also swapped with and collected ATCs from around the world as well as local artists in my area during this same time period.

When I create ATCs I like to do several at a time although each is created individually so there is variation from one to the next. This practice allows me to keep a collection of my own work as documentation and as resource and inspiration for future works. Some of my working methods include drawing, painting, digital drawing/painting, collaging, photography and a number of other techniques and processes that may occur to me at any time. Digital and photographic ATCs can of course be created in multiples.

There is no set way to create an ATC other than to be considered an ATC it must be in that 2.5 x 3.5 inch format. Most swappers and swapping sites stress quality and/or quality-of-effort when creating ATCs whether you are a beginner or an experienced swapper. If you’d like to start making ATCs and swap them there are many dedicated sites and groups as well as individuals around the world you can easily get involved with through the net and in many cases locally too through galleries and other local groups.

Creating ATCs and swapping is still an evolving area in the world today. There are some well-designed projects focused on large works that involve ATCs. More are being considered all the time.

Swaps other than local swaps and sometimes even those, often go on through Postal Mail. ATCs are small and that makes them a great format for Mail Art. For successful swapping at any level, commitment to see the swap through and communication are important. It is fun to make and swap ATCs; once you start you may not want to stop.