So, uh, what exactly is an ATC card?

[xkelpiex]

Hi all! New to this subforum, but I recently bought some supplies to dive head first into getting back into art after....years. I noticed you guys seem to do a lot of trades with "atc" cards. What constitutes as an "atc card"? Cause if that's what you guys are trading with, I'd love to get me some 

[SourdoughStomper]

Artist Trading Card. Always has the same dimensions, the same size as a baseball card. The sky's the limit when it comes to what artwork you put on it, using whatever medium you like. You draw them and trade them with others.

[kittybethy]

I didn't know either.

[rayechu]

ATC cards are 2.5" x 3.5". AmberMarie hosts swap almost every month. Almost everything in my gallery here is an ATC. http://rayechu.deviantart.com/gallery/25847981

[Dibbles]

I wondered what it stood for too. Now I just have to get better at drawing ponies...

[rayechu]

Join the ATC swaps and practice practice practice!

[ZennaBug]

ATCs are a lot of fun, I've made bunches!

[RandomPony]

Yeah! They are little trading card sized pieces of art There REALLY fun to do too

[Brightglowpony]

I'm glad someone asked, I always wondered that too    Looks like fun

[Arkillian]

http://www.artist-trading-cards.ch/


They're a specific size though. This site may clarify it better

[xkelpiex]

Anyone know where I could possibly find cards of this size?
Rayechu--So much detail for such a little card! You're very talented!

[Griffin]

^ I just use an MtG or Pokémon card to trace the outlines on any type of paper I want to use... Like watercolour or marker paper, or anything else special. In any case the cards should be relatively sturdy, so I usually glue mine on a piece of cardboard or some other sturdier material; the calligraphy paper I mainly use for ATCs is quite thin.

ETA: Actually I remember seeing readymade blank cards for ATCs in some craft stores, but those aren't necessary by any means, you can just use a ruler to get the measurements right if you wish.

[ZennaBug]

I use a ruler to draw a grid for the cards on some heavy paper, then use a papercutter to cut them out.  I usually make like 20+ at a time and then make more when I run out.

[AmberMarie]

I make a lot of my own ATC cards with random scraps.

You can pick up pre-made canvas, paper or just about any type you want at any arts and crafts stores.

If you are also interested, there are some great sites to trade on besides the little swapping we do here:

ATCS for All. A site where anyone can sign up and trade.

Illustrated ATCs. A site where your art is juried to get in.

There is also a little other portion to an ATC, there is another name- ACEO. This stands for Art Card Editions and Originals. The terms ACEO is usually applied to one that meant to be sold. The ATC name is used when the sole purpose of the card is to trade it.

I've been doing the ATC trades monthly since October and have no plans on stopping. So I hope to see some more! They are a lot of fun.

[Arkillian]

My art supplier cuts card to a card size I specify when I get it. I need to do some ATCs at some point actually...