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Atc Instructions


Bride
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Before ScrapGirls, I never heard of ATC's, but since I've joined SG I've been hooked on them. What are ATC's you ask? Artist Trading Cards. Very similar to baseball cards but a lot more exciting (to me, at least!) I like to think of them as mini works of art!

We hold an ATC Chat/Swap once a month. Check the calendar for dates and times. We get together and your hosts will either present you with a challenge or we will brainstorm with you to get ideas and then vote on the next theme. Next, the fun continues as you let your creative juices flow to design your card. The basics are:

 

1. Create your ATC with your interpretation of the theme. Your original ATC file should be 3.5 inches x 2.5 inches or 1050 pixels x 750 pixels (can be portrait or landscape orientation) at 300 pixels per inch. Be sure to sign and date your. Post your ATC to the gallery here , as well, to share with all of our members.

2. Email the full resolution (300 dpi saved at high quality), flattened jpg version to me at Scrapgirl.Bride@gmail.com . I find it best to email your copy immediately when you're finished that way you won't have me bugging you down the road with reminders and no one will miss out on your beautiful work!

3. For uploading to the gallery, save a copy of your ATC at 72 dpi jpeg, then upload. Be sure to share the link in the current ATC thread so we can leave you some love.

4. Join in the next chat so we can ooo and ahhh over our creations and get all excited about the next theme.

5. The day after chat I will zip and email all copies of ATC's I have received.

 

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Thanks for the instructions, Lei - I've never been quite sure of the rules about ATC's - I will work on mine and get it to you asap - well, it may take me a few days, but I will get it to you - I haven't done one in so long I've forgotten how and I really appreciate you instructions. You're a sweetie!

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I would love to do this but I have to much on my plate at the moment and DH is still on leave. Do you have this everymonth like the Swapcrop?

Hi Belle

I saw your question and yes -- ATC chat is held each month -- I believe the next one is feb 2.

I joined the chat in october and it's really a fun one.

If you look in the ATC gallery you will see that there sure are a lot of talented people making them -- December was especially beautiful.

There's always an interesting theme and it was decided last night that this month's is "friendship" -- any aspect of friendship. As Lei said "remember this is your atc and your interpretation"

I especially love how often people "think outside the box" on the ATC's and there are many different "takes" on the theme.

At the end of the month, Lei zips up copies of all the ATC's made and emails them to us to print or save.

 

(I hope it's ok to answer this, Lei and that I was accurate!)

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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 9 months later...

It looks like you all are having fun! I've been in postcard swaps before in artist/watercolor forums.

 

I have a few dumb questions!!! In making the digital ATCs, do you print out on paper, then glue to card stock? Then do you cut out with scissors or knife (which is easier?) I haven't found thse type of details anywhere. I know you can buy ATC blanks, do you use them or regular card stock?

 

Thanks for answering.

Jean

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It looks like you all are having fun! I've been in postcard swaps before in artist/watercolor forums.

 

I have a few dumb questions!!! In making the digital ATCs, do you print out on paper, then glue to card stock? Then do you cut out with scissors or knife (which is easier?) I haven't found thse type of details anywhere. I know you can buy ATC blanks, do you use them or regular card stock?

 

Thanks for answering.

Jean

 

Jean, did you see these posts: post #17 and post #18

 

For regular digital ATCs which have no backs, I usually just print directly onto cardstock and cut them out with a paper trimmer. For hybrid ATCs which do have backs, I design the front of the card and the back of the card and place them end to end in a blank document (I can get several on a page) then I print them onto cardstock, cut them out with a paper trimmer and just fold in half (this way there is no need to line up the fronts to the backs) Then I just use double sided tape to adhere them together. Hope this is helpful to you. Don't hesitate to ask questions if you need more information :)

Edited by teecee
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I sure hate that I'm going to miss out on this one - I was looking forward to it, but now we have more medical issues and things going on with my Dad and I just can't keep everything together much less commit to doing something I'm afraid I won't be able to follow through on - can't wait to see what beautiful ATCs yall come up with!

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  • 9 months later...
  • 11 months later...

ATC's. I just don't get it. I've asked once before but it still does not make sense. I'm not being critical, the cards are all beautiful with lovely quotes. What I don't understand is why? Why make them? How do we use them? Why do I want other peoples cards? I can't use them because they have someones name and date on them. Why do they have a name and date on? Some of the cards could possible be used as a greeting card but not with the names on. Some of them are so personal to the person making them, they cannot possible be used by anyone else. Please explain the whole idea and use of the cards to me. I don't get it.Make the cards by all means but why swap???? I hope I don't sound horrible, the cards are really beautiful and some are funny but I don't get it.hit-head-with-hammer.gif

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ATC's. I just don't get it. I've asked once before but it still does not make sense. I'm not being critical, the cards are all beautiful with lovely quotes. What I don't understand is why? Why make them? How do we use them? Why do I want other peoples cards? I can't use them because they have someones name and date on them. Why do they have a name and date on? Some of the cards could possible be used as a greeting card but not with the names on. Some of them are so personal to the person making them, they cannot possible be used by anyone else. Please explain the whole idea and use of the cards to me. I don't get it.Make the cards by all means but why swap???? I hope I don't sound horrible, the cards are really beautiful and some are funny but I don't get it.hit-head-with-hammer.gif

 

Here are some links with more information for you Belle:

 

Elisha's NL Article

Wikipedia

 

I'll see if I can get some more info for you later and there is a lot of information available online - Try Googling Artist Trading Cards. HTH :)

 

EDITED:

I'll try to answer your questions: First, the whole idea behind them is that they are used for trading. ATC stands for Artist Trading Cards (kind of like sports cards and they are the same size as sports trading cards - 2.5 x 3.5 inches) and they are primarily intended to be traded. They are not intended to be used as greeting cards. Many traders (myself included) collect them and keep them in clear plastic sleeves (like those used for sports cards). The sleeves are approximately 8.5 x 11 inches and each sleeve has pockets to hold 9 cards and can be placed in a three ring binder. I have heard that one of the general rules of ATCs are that they must be 2.5 x 3.5 inches in size and they may not be sold - they may only be traded or given. The reason the artist puts his/her name on the card is so the person who receives that card will know the name of the creator/artist.

 

In addition to the monthly digital ATC swap that I coordinate, there is a bi-monthly hybrid ATC swap that Carla coordinates and it is a ton of fun.

Here are links to info about the current swaps:

 

August ATC Challenge and Swap (digital)

August Hybrid ATC Swap

 

Here are some more links that may be helpful to you:

An Introduction to Artist Trading Cards

Artist Trading Cards

Edited by teecee
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I've read the articles, googled and It seems people just like to swap things.

1. Why would you want someone's name on the front?

2. Does anyone actually print these things? Do you keep them on your hard drive? Do you ever refer to them? Do you discard them?

I would love to hear some opinions. Why do you make them? Why do you keep them? What do you do with them?

I never comment on any of the ATC's because I don't understand them and I don't just want to say over and over, Pretty card.

Does anybody agree with me or am I just being difficult?

Once again, I must say that all the cards are really lovely and I can see a lot of hard work goes into making them. I hope I have not upset anybody.

Thanks for the links Theresa.

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I've read the articles, googled and It seems people just like to swap things.

1. Why would you want someone's name on the front?

2. Does anyone actually print these things? Do you keep them on your hard drive? Do you ever refer to them? Do you discard them?

I would love to hear some opinions. Why do you make them? Why do you keep them? What do you do with them?

I never comment on any of the ATC's because I don't understand them and I don't just want to say over and over, Pretty card.

Does anybody agree with me or am I just being difficult?

Once again, I must say that all the cards are really lovely and I can see a lot of hard work goes into making them. I hope I have not upset anybody.

Thanks for the links Theresa.

 

Hi Belle,

 

It looks like you were typing this at the same time I was editing my last reply lol.

 

I'll try to help answer your questions:

1. People sign and date ATCs so the recipients will know who created them.

2. Digital ATCs (those made entirely on the computer) may be printed out and kept in binders as I mentioned in my edited post above: post #16. It's up to the collector to decide if they want to print the cards to collect them, or just leave them on their computers.

We make them to trade/swap with other ATC artists and we just keep them and build collections for our own personal enjoyment. I think of it this way: some people collect art in the form of paintings. I think of ATCs as miniature works of art and I like to collect art in the form of miniatures rather than paintings.

 

Maybe someone else will come along with more information for you.

I don't think you have upset anybody at all. ;)

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Here is some information I copied/pasted from one of the sites I linked above:

 

Three rules apply to ATC’s: First, dimensions of an ATC are always 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. It doesn’t matter whether the card is oriented in the portrait or landscape lay-out, but the actual dimensions are not negotiable.

 

Second, by definition, Artist Trading Cards are never sold. They can only be traded or given away. Cards of this size and conformity that are sold are referred to as ACEO’s, or Art Cards, Editions, and Originals.

 

And lastly, ATC's are signed and numbered by the artist as for any other valuable collectible. Typically, the artist will sign the back of the card with the following information: the name of the art piece, the artist’s name and on-line ID, email or web address, the date, and the individual card numbers.

 

Most serious ATC artists give their cards two numbers. The first is the actual design number – each uniquely designed card or card set/series receives a sequential number for the design. As miniature collectibles, ATC’s are made in limited numbers and often in sets of either “like” cards or theme-related cards and the cards within a set are also numbered.

 

When the card is a one of a kind, unique ATC, it’s referred to as an original and numbered 1/1 or 1 of 1. When sets of nearly identical ATC’s are created, they are called editions and are numbered according to how many cards are in the set or edition, such as 1/10, or 1 of 10. Sometimes a group of ATC’s will be created based on a theme. They are not identical but they share common elements that link them in what is called a series. They are numbered as for an edition, but are identified as a series. This information can be written randomly on the back of the card or on a variety of stamped templates including those designed specifically for ATC’s. Small stickers with the information printed on it can also be used, although the artist’s actual signature or initials are usually handwritten.

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Belle,

 

ATC's are just like anything else that someone collects (sports cards, coins, trinkets on a shelf). They're collected because the collector enjoys looking through/at them. It's okay to not understand the desire. (I have no idea what my FIL sees in the cut-crystal figurines he collects, and he has three huge curios and a small one full to overflowing with them.)

 

To answer your questions:

  1. We sign them just as any artist signs their work. I personally have a few favorite artist that I keep a look out for.
  2. Yes, I print them and keep them in a binder, although I will admit that I don't necessarily print all of them, just the ones I really like.
  3. Yes, I look through them, just like someone that looks through their stamp collection.
  4. Why? Because they're pretty, they're funny, they're styles that I admire but never pull-off well, I just like them... :)
  5. As for commenting, comment like you would any other layout. Pick out some features that you like (i.e. great blending, love that ribbon you chose, etc.)

 

I'm sure that you haven't offended anyone, any more than I've offended my FIL. :) Hope I've helped to answer your questions.

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ATC's are traded all over the world, by all types of artists. They are only meant to be collected as tiny works of art, not used or sold. You can collect them in a book like baseball cards, or frame your favorites. They mostly are just fun to make and look at. I still swap postcards and ATC's with fine artists from all over the world. I often look and admire them on my pc, but seldom print them out.

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  • 4 years later...
4 minutes ago, Becster said:

Haven't done an ATC in forever, but have a question about this:

3. For uploading to the gallery, save a copy of your ATC at 72 dpi jpeg, then upload. 

It needs to be resized for the gallery, right? 600 x whatever?

I normally just put mine in full-sized since it's smaller than a 12x12 layout.

 

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5 hours ago, Becster said:

Haven't done an ATC in forever, but have a question about this:

3. For uploading to the gallery, save a copy of your ATC at 72 dpi jpeg, then upload. 

It needs to be resized for the gallery, right? 600 x whatever?

Keep it at 300 dpi and just change the large side to 600 px. The smaller side will become 429 px.  We reduce our 12 x 12 layouts to 72 dpi because they would be too large for upload, but the ATCs need to be kept at 300 dpi or they will be too small.

I love your Avatar! :D 

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Just now, Florida granny said:

Keep it at 300 dpi and just change the large side to 600 px. The smaller side will become 429 px.  We reduce our 12 x 12 layouts to 72 dpi because they would be too large for upload, but the ATCs need to be kept at 300 dpi or they will be too small.

I love your Avatar! :D 

Thanks for the info and the love! :wub:  I made an ATC that's not part of the challenge. Should I upload it to the ATC gallery anyway?

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