Your First ATC

There are only two "rules" for making an ATC:

The size is 2.5" x 3.5"
The card is never sold. It is traded.

Use whatever media you have on hand.

Think of a subject that you like.

Draw. Or paint. Or colláge.

Don't get too worried about perfection. Just get started!

What next?

For your very first card, you MAY want to break one of the rules: the part where you trade it.

I kept my very first card, mostly because I did not think it was good enough for trading. Now I am glad that I did not trade it.

I call the cards that I keep "AKCs." (Artist Keeping Cards)

There is nothing wrong with keeping a few.

How Do I Find Someone to Trade With?

Some people begin within their own family.

When I do workshops, family members usually trade with one another.

HOWEVER..... I am retired. My husband does not do art. It was 2020 when I started, so my first trade happened by going online.

Trading Online... or Swapping Online?

Facebook Groups

I recommend joining the Facebook Group called ATC Artist Trading Cards.

There are two groups with this name. I recommend the one that looks like this:

Guides

The members of this group are very welcoming. Most people jump right in and start asking questions, like "What size is an ATC?"

And someone will probably answer you... but I think it is more polite to click on the "Guides" link at the top and read through some of the basics!

Your First Post

Once you are feeling brave enough to post.... POST!

It's always fun to trade with a newbie, so be sure to let people know that the card or cards are the first. If you are particular with what you want to accept in return for your card, it is perfectly polite to say something like: "This is my first ATC, up for trade, (often abbreviated as "UFT") I would like to trade for another hand-drawn card. My favorite subjects are cats, flowers, and Godzilla."

Then, wait for an offer. Offers are made via Direct Messenging, or Messenger. Never put your address "on the board." Do all of your negotiating via Messenger.

Make an Offer

If you are shy about putting your work online, you can also make an offer for someone else's card first. Usually, you reply to the post with a comment such as, "I love your dog card. I will be sending a DM."

Then you send a nice clear Direct Message. Be sure to tell the person WHICH card you are interest in. Many people post on multiple boards, so say something like, "I would like to trade for the spotted dog card, and here is what I have to offer." Then send a few choices to the person.

If the other person agrees, exchange addresses and mail your card.
HURRAY! You've made your first trade!

"Swaps"

Another way to trade online is to go to ATCsForAll.com.

At first, this site can be a bit intimidating. There's a lot going on. It is not as easy to upload your photos as it is on Facebook.

But this site offers SWAPS.

Swaps are events that are announced through a "thread"

The host announced a topic and deadline. Here is a swap that I joined in September 2026:

The swap has a title (in this case Hand-Carved Halloween) and a date when all cards should arrive in the host's mailbox.

The host lists additional rules in the very first post of the thread.

If you want to join, you reply to the thread.

The FUN part is that most people post pictures of the art they are making, and conversations can lively and helpful.

I strongly recommend swaps!

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