Scrapbook Central is hosting ATC Exchanges.
We just finished our first trade in October 2022. We had 11 participants and the results were terrific and diverse. You can check them out in our ATC gallery.
What are artist trading cards?
Artist trading cards (ATCs) are miniature pieces of art that are traded around the world. The only official rule for ATCs is the size: 2.5″ x 3.5″. The orientation of the card can go either way and they should be thin enough to fit into the clear plastic sleeves used for collectible cards.
How do I create ATCs?
The exchange is open to any media, materials or techniques as long as the card fits into a standard trading card sleeve. You are free to use stamps, stencils, scrapbook papers, collage or rice papers, stickers, die cuts, ephemera, watercolours or other paints, pencil crayons, inks, washi tapes or whatever medium you prefer keeping in mind the size and bulk of the elements used.
The first thing you will need is some blank trading cards. You want your cards to be sturdy. Cardstock is an excellent way to make blank cards. If you’re going to use watercolor paints or other wet mediums for your cards, you’ll want to use a paper that can hold up to the water just cut it down to ATC size. The final step in creating your card is to sign and date the back.
How will the trade work?
Drop off your completed cards for trade before the 10th of each month at the store in a labeled bag or envelope. Please note the cards should be your own work. A minimum of 3 cards per month is required but feel free to do more if you wish and we will do our best to trade for different cards each month although depending on numbers this may not always be possible. The cards can all be the same or different cards whatever you wish. We will sort and divide the cards between the 10th and 20th of the month and you can pick up your exchanged cards from the store in your labeled package after the 20th of the month.