All About Artist Trading Cards

[joleenieweenie]

I have had many questions as to what ATC's are and the benefits of creating them vs. a card front. I have compiled an explaination, links to various galleries, and why I prefer making these.


What are Artist Trading Cards?

"ARTIST TRADING CARDS are a variation of the popular mass-produced trading cards available for sale all over the world. The difference is rather than buying them, you make them. This means that each card is an original work of art, or one of a small edition run that you can trade with other people who have created their own cards.

ANY AND ALL MATERIALS and techniques are permitted (drawing in pencil, pen, marker, chalk or crayon etc., painting, photographs, collage, found materials, mixed media -- anything!). There is only one rule-- the cards should be the same size as traditional collector cards: 2.5 inches wide by 3.5 inches tall (64mm x 89mm). On the back you should sign and date your cards. If they are part of an edition you should number them as well." Ed Beals

"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. Don't be intimidated by the concept of small editions or originals: very few people are anal about this. What most collectors really want are cards that were made with care. Based on that, numbers are meaningless." Joumana Medlej

Galleries
http://www.artist-trading-cards.ch/gallery.htm
http://www.tracyroos.com/ATC.htm
http://www.moderngypsy.com/atc/
http://www.stvlive.com/oddities/artist_cards/
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/atcnov03.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~alisonsch...tcgallery.html
http://atc.hingeonline.com/

Why I love creating ATCs
First off I am a lover of all types of art. Rubber stamping is just another outlet for me and one of my favorites at that! I was first introduced to Trading Cards at Regionals this last April and it was love at first sight! Card fronts can sometimes be so intimidating to me and I thought how fun to just swap TCs! These are a great way to get ideas, you can just adhere them to a regular sized card, make them into tags, etc. I keep mine organized in baseball card sheets in a binder. I refer to them for ideas and also take them with me to workshops and stamp camps! These also make great business cards! You can stamp one side and have your information on the backside. I have also seen templates for envelopes to keep them in.

Other
Link for ATC cutting diagram: http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/tcdiag.htm
Link for TC envelope: http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwoo...tcenvelope.htm

Well, I think that's about it. Let me know if you have any questions. Hope this helps!

[kimorr]

So Joleen-- when is the next 'mega swap'??

[Sandhills Stamper]

Thanks for the info.....I am doing my first trading card swap and did have one question. The specs were anything as long as it fits in a binder.
Are these the clear envelopes you slide them into? If so do you know a source for these? I haven't seen them for sale anywhere in our area. Thanks!!!!

[Linda Seaman]

I buy my clear plastic sleeves to put ATC's in at the baseball collector store, 100 for $1. I believe the earlier post was referring to a page of 9 pockets to store in an album. Any baseball collector store should have them. Linda

[longtimestamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda Seaman

I believe the earlier post was referring to a page of 9 pockets to store in an album. Any baseball collector store should have them. Linda

I bought my pages at Target.

[wendalyn]

Thanks for the Info I was way curious on them. I joined a swap so i could get some back to see what they were but no idea what I myself was going to do for my TC... Now I know at least what is expected.

[Linda Seaman]

There is also a new category in the gallery under anything but a card, just added yesterday, it has a few examples. Linda Seaman