For those that are new to ATC's here are......

06-20-2008, 08:56 PM #1 (**permalink**)

The best rules or guildlines I could fine for you!!

Today the only rule for these cards is their 2.5 by 3.5 inch size (64 x 89 mm), same as baseball cards and collectible card games.

Artist Trading Cards are typically made on a base of card stock. However, ATCs have been created on metal, stiffened fabric, plastic, clay, glass, balsa wood, leather, embroidery canvas, acetate, heavy watercolor paper, and many other materials. The art on the cards can be done in any media: textile arts, pencil, watercolor, acrylic, oil, collage, scratch board, mixed media, assemblage, digital art, calligraphy, beadwork, rubber stamps, carved soft block stamps, pen and ink, colored pencil, airbrush, pastels, and many others - anything artists use.

The only standard requirement for an ATC is that its height and width measurements be 2.5" x 3.5" (64 x 89 mm), either vertical (portrait) or horizontal (landscape) orientation. The sky is the limit for every other aspect of the art.

The size, 2.5" x 3.5", is exactly one-quarter of 5" x 7" (127 x 178 mm) - a common size for photography and illustration. This means artists focusing on 5" x 7" artwork can easily scale-down their works to exactly 1/4 size (using photo-manipulation software) to create ATCs. Else the basis of printed ATCs can later be modified with other methods - such painting or inking-over the base image.

There is no standard thickness for ATCs but people customarily make them thin enough to fit inside standard card-collector pockets, sleeves or sheets.

Whilst some people are sticklers for archival qualities, art does not necessarily have to be "forever" so many people use whatever materials fit their artistic needs, irrespective of those materials' longevity.

Hope this helps you discover the world of ATC making!!!

08-11-2008, 02:43 PM #2 (**permalink**)

Thank you for the info! I would be interested in making some, but I am clueless as how to start! This sure helps a bit!

08-12-2008, 12:39 AM #3 (**permalink**)

Site with template for A TC cards and card holders

Mirkwood Designs - Templates

08-12-2008, 12:42 AM #4 (**permalink**)

Thanks for the link! :)

08-12-2008, 12:46 AM #5 (**permalink**)

Maybe this site will help you find out where and how to get started ,It has lots of sites to show you what they look like and sites for free templates and clip art and back ground papers.You will really like swaping cards once you get started.

ATC's - Exploring Art In Minature

08-12-2008, 07:05 AM #6 (**permalink**)

They are so fun to make and collect. It is pretty easy to do. Just let your mind go and be creative.

Smiles n hugs
Leah

08-12-2008, 02:14 PM #7 (**permalink**)

Yes, thank you! There are many other neat projects on that site, as well!!

08-13-2008, 04:42 AM #8 (**permalink**)

Could I say cross stitch some of the cards? If I could how would I get started in doing and sending them? Who would want them? Would I beable to use my charts to cooble something up?

Sorry so many questions but this seems like something I could do.

08-13-2008, 02:52 PM #9 (**permalink**)

I think the cross stitch card would be quite awesome,I would love yo see one in cross stitch.And I think anyone who likes the ATC cards would like to have one.It would be neat to see one and I really think you could do it.If you do please post a pic for us to see.

08-13-2008, 03:43 PM #10 (**permalink**)

The thing I am wondering most is...are you supposed to put your name/business on them somewhere so that someone can see who made them? Are they a bit like business cards?