An ATC that I'm sending to a pen pal.
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February 2, 2011 at 3:37 PM
Julie can you explain ATCs. Are they sort of like postcards but just smaller? We have a few, but we're not sure if there is a different culture to them
February 2, 2011 at 6:02 PM
Artist Trading Cards - they are business card sized and design so that artists can put art on them and then trade with other artists
February 2, 2011 at 7:45 PM
The ATCs are 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. I think business cards are (typically) a little smaller.
It's a nice size to work on. Not too big an undertaking. I believe it is customary to put your name, date, title, (and web site or email?) on the back, plus the swap name (if it is a particular swap).
February 2, 2011 at 7:48 PM
I've read there's a whole culture of trading them like people trade sports cards. Oh, and Julie, I love, love your work. You're very talented, and I appreciate the amount of effort that must go into a work like this.
February 2, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Thanks folks. We had a few come through and because we don't have any ATC size card, we felt a bit strange. Is it ok to return postcards?
February 3, 2011 at 12:54 PM
I think returning postcards is fine - yes, business cards are a tad smaller 2 inches by 3.5 inches - but I always think of a business card.
I put my name, blog names and Twitter and Flickr on the back - like a business card.
February 3, 2011 at 1:47 PM
About 5 years ago I used to trade ATCs all the time, but the ATC culture can be a bit off-putting. Some serious traders look down on cards that are not hand-drawn, some don't like any use of stickers, some will measure the card and if it is not exactly 2.5 x 3.5, they dismiss it as trash. I got quite burned out by the negativity, so I stopped trading.
I still have lots of cut-up backings (can't guarantee they are exactly the correct size) and I keep thinking I want to give ATCs another try, but incorporate them into postcards ... I have an idea for this, just need the time to work it out. I figure that at some point in the next year there will be one MailArt365 food related ATC from me.
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