aboutATCnachattin

The Artist Trading Card, known as ATC, is a 2.5” by 3.5” miniature work of art usually created to trade with other artists. Eager traders love these small art forms because they offer the opportunity to try out new techniques, learn from other artists, and can be used to make larger projects. The original concept and size requirements comes from baseball and other trading cards.

Everyone from fine artists to the youngest beginner have jumped on the ATC band wagon. The appeal includes:

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Easy to create in multiples

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Great way to try new techniques/tools

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Perfect for swaps with other artists

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A social art form

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Collectible

The ordinal guidelines for ATC are 2.5" by 3.5", handmade art, and never sold only traded. A newer phenomenon has developed with the introduction of the ACEO--Art Cards Originals and Editions, which can be sold to collectors.

What can you do with your ATC collection?

Glue to a standard card front

Use to decorate a gift bag

Use as a gift tag

Adhere two cards back to back with a hanger in the middle for ornaments

Display collections in a wall hanging

Include on art journal pages

Use as the body for an art doll

Check out the hobby store for display options for baseball trading cards such as books, cases, and frames and use them for your ATC collection

Add an extender or use as is for a bookmark

10.

Tuck in your sweetie’s wallet, lunch, or pocket

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Glue to a standard Avery tag and proceed creatively

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Jazz up your work space by adhering matching cards to a pencil holder, drawer front, notepad, supply holder, etc

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Build altered book pages around your ATCs

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Use as scrapbook page embellishments

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Bind with rings, ribbon, or binding tools to create a book

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Glue small pictures to the back of cards bound in a book as a mini photo album

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Party favors

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Place cards

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Scan your ATC and use it in your digital art (reverse hybrid technique)

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Tie onto a cellophane bag filled with candy

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Adhere to a wooden skewer as a plant poke, cake decoration, or party arrangement

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Display on a table top in one of those cute stands with clips for photos

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Put a magnet on the back for your refrigerator or file cabinet

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Create as samples for products you promote or techniques you teach

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Hang several from a mobile

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Laminate into luggage tags

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Decoupage onto painted wooden boxes or TV trays

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Use as book covers for your “Spawn of ATC Collection” that includes inchies, twenchies, Moo cards, etc

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Make a display card base for a gift of earrings or a pin

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Use a scoring tool and/or online pattern to make them into tiny box tops for cardstock gift boxes

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Sew between layers of clear plastic and create an IPod™ case

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Decorate the sides of a purchased or handmade tissue box cover

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Convert into water bottle tags for your artist friends (See sample from Marthar on Split Coast Stampers)