ATC it up with Friends

#ATCitupWithFriends is an ILLUSTRATION, Fantasy & Science Fiction focused group.

ATC Monthly Trade Events hosted by Pabkins.

We are a super supportive, interactive and friendly community. The reason I created this community was first to create a welcoming space for artists to become friends through the sharing of their art and the challenge of improving their original art skills. It is a place for you not only to grow but someplace where we help each other do that and support each other along the way with encouraging feedback. While we do have the monthly challenge/trade themes that is NOT what the entire group is about. Though the art swap/trade is definitely what makes this community fun and many coming back over the years – This is not a place to do quick sloppy work to get "free art" in return! You'll learn below about the monthly trade/challenge and how that works but I hope you've also come to be part of our community and see how we've all become some of the best friends we now have in art and life. Yes, I'm a very cheesy emotional person! =)

I hope you can survive the eye bleed of a long read you're in for below! Don't worry it is all good information! LOL I know the length of it alone scares away folks, BUT I promise you won't find a more awesome art & trade group out there. Having good expectations up front makes it so we all know what to expect.

If you are VERY new to Artist Trading Cards and trading, message me and I can send you a free ATC trade starter kit in the good old snail mail to help you get started!

Art Jam and Live opening ATCitup Mail each week on Mondays @ 11:00 AM PST on my TWITCH CHANNEL! Many group members hangout each week and art together during this live stream. So come and get to know us!

There are also art hangout video or voice sessions on our Discord server – if you're not shy just pop in anytime and ask if anyone is around to hang out!

ATCs / ACEOs are artist trading card size original art — 2.5 x 3.5 inches (or 3.5 x 2.5 inches)

TO APPLY for SIGN UP: Please READ this ENTIRE Guideline page — Then fill out the signup form at the bottom of the page with your info and what month you hope to join. Only fill out the form once because when you are a member you can DM, email or add yourself to the monthly signup roster anytime!

While anyone is welcome to apply we are not always open for new membership. If I invited you personally then of course you'll be immediately gobbled right up into the community.

I'm here if you have any questions or concerns!

Basics of HOW THIS ALL WORKS! – the nitty gritty

MONTHLY THEMES: READ the blog post for that month's THEME REQUIREMENTS! Each month the theme changes and there are usually special requirements, for example: requires at least one character, multiple characters/poses, items, etc.

Themes are usually released at the beginning of each year! So you have A LOT of time!

These monthly themes are intended as a CHALLENGE as well as a way to trade fabulous original art and bond our little art community. Please rise to the challenge and treat your fellow artists with respect by putting in your best efforts. This is not a minimal effort group where you just send in cards you pooped out in an hour to get cards in return, omg did I say poop…haha yes I did. Because it's not really fair to those other friends that spend a lot of time and effort on theirs. So if you aren't loving the theme just skip it that month and do one of the other themes instead. The reason we are a successful fun group is because we are having fun making for each other and pushing ourselves artistically to improve our art skills as well as make friends doing so. If you are doing this more for stress relief fun of course I don't expect you to treat this as a mini masterpiece work but please understand that I swap based on effort, composition, execution etc. So just wink wink keep that in mind when creating and getting the trade envelope back ok. xoxo

How we Swap:
– Once I receive all cards I'll swap them for 3 different cards by 3 different artists. So you'll get back the number of cards you send by different artists — not 3 back by the same artist. As often as I can manage, a few people each month might get a bonus 4th card back as I make extras each month and put them in the swapping pile to help with balancing effort/composition etc. I also sometimes doodle mail art cards on the outside of envelopes when I have time/energy.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR CARDS!?

Please Please continue reading – come on I believe in you!

MAIL BY DATE:
1st day of the following month. Example: January's theme should be made/completed and mailed on the 1st day of February. Yes of course if it's a mailing holiday then just get it in the mail shortly after that date.

– SENDING EARLY IS FINE! Sending late? Please don't unless you've contacted me and I've said it's ok. You only receive cards if you send cards. Wink wink, nudge nudge.

– CREATE THREE ORIGINAL 2.5 x 3.5 inch cards – no larger, no smaller, SIZE IS IMPORTANT. I CANNOT STRESS size importance ENOUGH!! If it does not fit in a trading card sleeve it is the incorrect size! Yes you can decoratively round or punch the corners if you want. Sometimes we even strategically burn, distress or cut the edges (depending on theme hah!)

– Must be hand drawn or hand painted for the monthly theme! Current and returning members know that if all you can manage to make is one card a month that is ok and we'd rather you participate then miss out. So do what you can. Making 3 just makes things better for swapping and balancing everyone's return envelopes.

– ORIGINALS only! Must be your hand drawn, hand painted/colored artwork. No prints, No tracing, copying, No AI or referencing other people's art. This is not digital art, NO FAN ART, Do not redraw the same cards every month. Try to make your cards unique and break outside your comfort zone. Need help? Use a blank body form illustration pose, pose book or photography or ask in the discord for help and resources!

– CLEARLY WRITE ON THE BACK OF EACH CARD:
Your NAME (Real or otherwise Social media name if you want), #ATCitupwithfriends, Theme / Date. Other things you're welcome to include: title, your location in the world, hello note or little story — but at minimum it MUST have your name, year and the hashtag.

– INDIVIDUALLY sleeve each card – a clean one people, not an old used dirty one! They are often called penny sleeves and are PREFERRED (see this link) – just protect it when you mail it as envelopes sometimes get wet in transit! If you don't have sleeves I will sleeve them when they arrive but still put them in protection of some kind. I will send a small handful of sleeves to you in your next envelope, after that please acquire sleeves for the next time you participate.

– Optional 4th card: – "Host Gift Card" for Pabkins! It's just a 4th card in the same theme if you have time. Host cards are a common thing in the ATC Swap groups — it's just a nice way to thank the host. I would much rather you spend your effort on making 3 amazing cards than rush or pressure yourself. YOU DON'T HAVE TO AND THERE IS NO PRESSURE TO DO SO! This never effects how I swap cards at all!

– You CAN drop out of any month's theme at anytime! You do not have to participate every month. You can add yourself to the roster for each month anytime, and drop out anytime. Just please give me the courtesy of letting me know. Please share a photo of your completed cards on the discord server. For those who don't use Discord — use the #ATCitupwithfriends hashtag on Instagram and @atcitup.withfriends so I can see them.

CARD CREATION GUIDELINES: The Very Helpful information section you skimming readers definitely shouldn't skip!

• Hand drawn or painted/colored cards only! Whatever medium you prefer is fine. Black and white is ok in moderation but this is mostly a full color group. NO LINE ART ONLY cards (unless that is in line with the theme or you go all in with lots of hatching, stippling, dotwork etc.) The entire surface of the card should have been touched by your art materials – empty flat solid backgrounds are HIGHLY discouraged.
• Please avoid making 3 practically identical cards with "different window dressing" — that does not show creativity or effort! We aren't a portraits art group. Please break outside the box and try something new. New compositions, new poses, etc. Do not be intimidated — we are all very friendly!
• Originality and "thinking outside the box" is strongly encouraged! Your interpretive subthemes are welcome and encouraged but the main challenge theme of that month should still be obviously included.
• No collage, No stamps, no jewels, NO GLITTER! No stickers on the front of the cards. Nothing that pops up from the surface as it can damage other cards. No glued together bits and bobs — this is NOT a crafting, scrapbooking, or mixed paper media art group. We focus on illustration. Please no fold out cards. If it was glued on rather than drawn/painted on, then please no. The ONLY exception is hand drawn/hand cut papercut accents made by you.
• Please don't do "Puzzle" cards. Each card should be able to stand on its own since each card goes to someone different. Don't draw one big image and chop it up — each card must have its own composition.
• Fan Art is not accepted in the monthly swap theme UNLESS it is part of that month's theme requirement. Our focus is on original art and challenging your own creativity.
• No Religious, Political or obscene sexually explicit content. Tasteful nudity is acceptable, obscene/grotesque nudity or implied sexual acts is not. If in doubt just ask.
• Do not use super thin paper! Your cards should NOT be flimsy. If they are thin you should mount them to another piece of paper. Please use quality paper.
• Please no shedding/smearing cards! No glitter, no embossing glitter (use a glitter pen/ink or mica/metallic paint instead — options like Coliro paint or a Zig Kuretake pen). If you use materials that commonly "shed" like chalk or graphite, you should be spray sealing your cards.
• You can cut your own cards from paper or use precut store bought cards. A paper slicer is your friend!
• Remember, don't leave empty white backgrounds. If you used toned/color papers please give the entire card attention. Solid one-color backgrounds are strongly discouraged. Please try for a background or "atmosphere" on your card!
• It is up to my discretion to return cards unswapped. I have almost never had to do this thankfully!

OMG you've made it this far? You deserve an award! Maybe take a break, have a cup of coffee – Just a little farther I promise.

– SHARE with your friends and fellow artists you know! Post your WIP cards! Post your finished cards! You can even post the cards you receive in return! If you know an artist you think might be interested, point them to this ABOUT FAQ.

MAILING, POSTAGE, PACKAGING!

All Helpful info I promise!

• ADVICE ON MAILING/PACKAGING:
  • Do not use black or dark envelopes — the mail sorting machines hate them and they usually end up lost, sent back undeliverable or you get charged a hand sorting fee. Don't use square envelopes either — those cost more to ship because it's considered non-machinable.
  • Best choice: Brown kraft 5×7 inch envelopes! They are sturdy! Use washi tape, place cards face down to secure them to either side, don't overlap — the envelope will have a nice natural flex and go through the mail machines smoothly.
  • DON'T use scotch or clear tape — it tends to rip cards and sticks like crazy to the sleeves!
• LOST MAIL, LOST CARDS – If I do not receive your cards I cannot swap out cards from the group themed swap. However, I try to make sure no one goes with an empty mailbox! I have for the past 10 years always been able to send members a replacement envelope if their cards went missing. Donation cards for lost or stolen envelopes are appreciated!
• USPS Postage rates for First Class mail — Enjoy this USPS YouTube video on how your mail gets sorted and sent.
  • Please PUT THE PROPER POSTAGE ON YOUR ENVELOPES or the carrier will either send it back or charge me to pick it up from the Post Office.
  • 1 ounce envelopes (greeting card size, no larger than 5×7) = 1 forever stamp
  • Envelopes that are rigid, square, more than 3/4 inch thick, or larger than 5×7 = 2 forever stamps. If in doubt just slap 2 stamps on it!
  • Bubble mailers — you really don't need to mail them as packages! If you do, take them to the counter for a proper label. See current stamp costs here.

HOW PABKINS WILL SHIP YOUR RETURN ENVELOPES!

SEND YOUR POSTAGE AND RETURN ADDRESS LABELS PLEASE!!!!

– INCLUDE a LARGE and NEATLY CLEARLY WRITTEN RETURN ADDRESS label with your cards!!!! I suggest writing in all capital letters, VERY NEATLY!! Sticky label preferred — please don't send a tiny address label, and don't send pre-addressed stamped envelopes — I provide sturdy envelopes!

– U.S. ARTISTS: include a loose forever postage stamp, or however many it cost you to mail your envelope. If your cards are heavy, include 2 stamps.

– INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS: Please send $2 to $3 via PayPal when you mail your cards. Put your USERNAME and Theme in the notes. If you plan to play each month you can PayPal once for the whole year.

– What Pabkins Supplies: a vinyl Sticker of the Month to everyone that participates (if we have enough members that join that month we usually do a featured artist sticker made from one of their card's artwork), the return envelopes, sleeves (when you forget), postage overages, random prints, stickers, hand drawn ATCs, and whatever other flat goodies artists send in as donations.

SWAPPING TURNAROUND TIME: Normally I am trying to swap by the end of the following month. However some countries take 1–2 months to arrive (India, Malaysia, Philippines, China etc). I WILL wait until theirs arrives. But if you are participating every month you should still be getting an envelope almost every month! You will ALWAYS get an envelope pack from this group if I receive one from you! Discord announcements channel is the best place to see all current news.

OMG REALLY? MORE GREAT THINGS TO KNOW?

(at this point maybe you've had 2 cups of coffee — the rest is just extra bits you might find helpful.)

• Our Discord server is private and Pabkins sends the invites after you've read this FAQ and filled out the sign up form. New members receive the invite link in their confirmation email! You REALLY SHOULD JOIN THE DISCORD — DO NOT SHARE THIS DISCORD LINK, it is for members only!
• ATCitupwithfriends has an Art Book series! When you join you can sign the agreement form to be included. You can buy previous volumes for $15 while supplies last.
• The welcome email will contain a link for our email newsletter signup form.
• Do not sell the cards you receive from other artists in this group trade! That is completely inappropriate as you traded for them and did not buy them. You can sell prints of your own artwork. If you are ever truly unhappy with the cards you receive you are welcome to send them back.
• My DM and email box is always open for questions and concerns. Discord DMs are always best when you need to reach me quickly. I love suggestions and feedback!

Donations to help this art community are gladly welcome!

There are so many little ways you could help this group thrive!

• Group's Amazon Supply Wishlist: #ATCitupwithfriends Amazon
• PayPal donate (uncheck the goods and services checkbox): paypal.me/tabpabs
• Send 1 year's worth of postage if you don't want to bother with a stamp each month — or worldwide folks, just PayPal once for the year.
• We have original card auctions once a year or so – if you're able, please send an honest effort original card or more to help our fundraising efforts!
• Or slip extra stamps or whatever $ you'd like into the envelope when you send your cards in.
• Prints, Stickers, extra original ATCs, or any flat items smaller than 5×7 are gladly accepted for the group goodies stash. DO NOT send business cards. Just be sure your Instagram ID is on the back of anything you send.

Running the group really adds up and I know not everyone can afford to help. There is no pressure at all! But I'm sure once you get to know the folks in the group you'll see why it has continued to grow and thrive!

I know all that info was a lot to take in — but trust me this runs like a well oiled machine and it might just be your newest art addiction… if you made it this far I know you have the gumption haha.

You made it to the end!! I'll be sure to put an extra sticker in your first envelope LOL