ATCs: Artist Trading Cards

Artist Trading Cards, or ATCs, were first started by M. Vänçi Stirnemann, an artist from Zurich, in 1997, who based the idea of miniature artworks on the concept of traditional trading cards. ATCs are the same size as trading cards, 3.5 x 2.5 inches (64 x 89 mm), and are meant to be swapped — never sold.

ATCs are a great way to express your creativity. You can use whatever medium and technique you want and feature on whatever subject you want, as long as you follow these rules:

• The cards have to be 2.5 by 3.5 inches (64 x 89 mm) in size.
• The cards should be signed, dated, and numbered if they’re part of a series or edition. They should have your contact info as well.
• The cards should NEVER, EVER be sold. If you want to sell your cards, call them ACEOs – Art Cards, Editions and Originals. More on this next time.

If you want to know more about ATCs (and ACEOs) and participate in swaps, check out the ff sites:

• Artist Trading Cards
• ATCs for All
• ACEO – Art Cards, Editions and Originals

Tags: Artist Trading Cards, ATCs, Collage, Mixed Media