Welcome one and welcome all to my little tutorial!

For the "Wiki Quick Steps" you can read this How to Make ATCs or read the full dA version created by me personally below.
This is updated frequently as more information is needed.
:bademoticon: Updated: April, 2017

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   WHAT ARE ATCS?!?!?!    

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 ATCs are artist trading cards... similar to baseball and other playing cards that collectors trade with each other. They are the same size as well, 2.5x3.5 inches (6.35x8.9cm or 64x89mm). The only thing that makes them unique compared to other trading cards is that they are handmade by artists. They are highly collectible miniature works of art.

 To make things clear...you'll hear artists use the terms ATC along with ACEO.... the difference is:
ATC = artist trading cards, intended specifically for trading and swapping (absolutely no profit in terms of money involved)
ACEO = art cards, editions & originals, specifically made for being sold

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   WHAT ARE ATCS MADE OF?    

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ATCs are like regular trading cards...which means they ARE NOT floppy or weak! Typically the main materials that are suggested for making ATCs are paper that heavier than regular copy paper, other non-floppy materials, or copy paper that has been layered to make it sturdy. Here are some recommended canvases that you can use (I personally use only these):

• cardstock (white or any color)
• watercolor paper that is a minimum of 140lb (cold or hot pressed). These can be bought for super cheap from Walmart - Canson XL Watercolor Paper
• foam that is a minimum of 2mm in thickness
• felt fabric that is either backed by cardstock or a minimum of 2mm in thickness
• other heavy weight paper that is sturdy

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   WHAT MEDIUMS CAN I USE?    

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 Anything and everything under the sun... literally! Some artists get really creative with the materials they use. If it can stay stuck to the card and fit inside a clear sleeve than it'll work!
 You can use paints (acrylic, oil, watercolor, gauche), inks, dyes, puffy paint, markers, pens, pastels, wires, fabric, beads etc.
IF you use a loose medium that tends to come off then please use a SEALER! If working with chalk pastels or the like, then use a spray sealer to help prevent it from coming off.
 Artists also do not limit themselves to the kind of things that they use for textures or for adding embellishments.

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   WHAT ARE SUB-PAR WORKS?    

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Sub-par works are considered as "bad cards" in simple terms. Below are some features of sub-par works:

• Collaged elements falling off/poorly glued/glue showing
  
• Cards of the wrong size
  
• Computer printouts not made by the ATC maker and poorly drawn over
  
• Cards created with little to no thought (i.e. a sticker or rubber stamped image on a plain piece of cardboard with little to no extra effort)
  
• Scribbles on a plain piece of paper
  
• Useless items in supply threads
  

Any sub-par works (could be 1 card or all) are going to be returned back to the original creator for any of my swaps.

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   ATC TEMPLATES - WHAT TO PUT ON THE BACK    

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 What you place on the back actually depends on what you want to share with the receiver or the world... but some things are just required/make sense to place on there. I would suggest these things to be included:

• dA username
• Real Name (artist alias if you have one)
• date of creation
• number of the card if it is part of a set/series
• the name of the series/collection (or if for a swap then the swap name)
• the trade location (the website you traded on OR for dA users, please list the name of the group)
• your signature

 You can get free templates from the net to use as well if you want to make the back look fancy. Some people get labels printed (or print at home) and place them on the back. There are also stamps that can be purchased from Etsy in template form... I have seen artists make their own stamps as well. You can also make your own template digitally and print it off when needed.
 I made templates using MS PowerPoint and made a customizable template as well for the world to use freely. You can edit the PP version easily to include the information that you want it to. I simply copy and paste the card template to a word document and fit it in there as many times as I can (usually 9) then print it out. I cut them and write the information first before gluing to the back.
:bademoticon: Free Templates - feel free to let me know if you need help printing them or need them customized.

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   A NOTE ABOUT ORIGINAL WORKS    

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Please note that trades are conducted on the basis that all cards being traded were hand made by the individuals involved in the trade! If you happen to have prints made of previous ATCs then this MUST be made clear... some artists do print trades as well. 
Please do your best work for each card you make... make something you would be proud to sign/autograph.

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   HOW DO YOU TRADE?    

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 There are websites made specifically for trading ATCs and other snail mail art such as postcards, matchboxes, tags, envies, etc. Such websites include Swap-Bot, ATCsForAll, and IllustratedATCs. There is also PocketLetterPals which uses the 3-ring binder clear 9-pocket sleeves to create art letters. Some artists who make ATCs use their ATCs to make the letters.
 There are plenty of groups set up on Yahoo and other art forums as well that you can search for.
 Plenty of art networks (on the net or in real life) have formed their own trading groups. Some communities offer trades between other communities (I have a friend who started doing trades in middle school - where their middle school students would exchange with nearby schools). There are some groups made specifically for selected topics such as Pokemon, ARPGs, Power Puff Girls, Green Earth Promoters, etc.
 We have plenty of groups here on dA as well that are focused on ATCs! I have tried to contact as many as I could find...sadly only 4 are still active.

 I am also going to be hosting organized swap every 3 months (or however the participants decide) so you can check in.
 dA4U is a feature group that I am a founder of. I have taken the liberty of adding trade and swap details to the group. The group does NOT organize trades or swaps... instead, if you are available for personal trades then you can get listed there for anyone to find.

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   MAILING & SHIPPING?    

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 You can mail your cards in regular envelopes (small or business size), fancy envelopes, greeting card envelopes, or handmade envelopes. Some artists like to include extra goodies when mailing out cards such as a letter, greeting card, short note, stickers, scrap papers, other art materials, other extra art musings of yours, some collectible items, etc.
 For organized swaps, you must follow the mailing instructions placed by the host. Typically return postage is required and in some cases even a return envelope that is self-addressed.
 For a one on one trade then typically one single stamp covers the postage. You can decide what type of envelope to send cards in. Please check with your postal office to see how much it costs to ship the number of cards you are sending.
 Always include the name of the swap (and your username) on the back of the envelope. Only on the BACK.
 For a full and detailed guide to mailing art please read this thread put together on AFA: HOW TO: Pack & Mail Your Cards
Let me know if you would like to see an updated version of this pertaining to just dA posted or not.

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   WHAT DO I DO WITH THE COLLECTED CARDS?    

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 You can get binders and clear trading card pages to collect your art trades in. These are clear plastic sleeves made to be placed inside binders and come with 9 pockets to hold your ATCs in.
 You can also frame the cards in specially made frames for trading cards or customize your own frames.
 Some people make flip books using the cards while other add them to a desk display (similar to the flip type for rolodex cards)
 If you come up with anything else for the cards then please do share!

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   WANT MORE HELP?    

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 Please let me know if you would like to see a video tutorial on how I make different types of cards. I am willing to put together one if there is enough interest. I have used felt used tea bags, fabric, cotton fabric, cardstock, scrapbook paper, foam, watercolor paper, and even thin cardboards as canvases for ATCs so if you are interested in any then let me know.
 You can always contact me publicly or privately () if you ever need any help