Beginner's - ArtTrader Magazine

Art TRADER
m a g a z i n e
Greeting Cards
Consider mailing your sleeved ATCs inside greeting cards. An
easy and attractive alternative to plain paper and business
envelopes, greeting cards are available at dollar and discount
stores in bulk; they’re cheap; and they make an especially pretty
—and functional—folio for presenting your work. You might even
purchase greeting cards from a favorite charity organization,
such as Unicef. You’ll spend a bit more per card, but your buying
dollars will land somewhere meaningful.
Add a quick note of thanks for your swap host inside, and voila!
—a near-perfect shipping solution.
Tape
It’s so easy to secure your ATCs to one another—or to a greeting
card or sheet of paper—with tape. Doing so prevents your
cards from slipping and bunching up, both of which increase the
likelihood they’ll be damaged in transit.
If you’re sending just one card, a piece of scotch tape rolled back on itself and stuck to the backside of a sleeve
works the same as double-sided tape, but is much easier to remove.
If you’re sending multiple cards, first stagger them, then tape across the seams in spots, on the front side only.
There IS such a thing as too much tape, by the way. ATCs can bend or scratch if they’re taped over zealously, and
extricating them from their tape-mummy bondage can be difficult, not to mention frustrating and time-consuming.
When it comes to tape, experienced traders agree: Less is definitely more!
BON VOYAGE
Con te partiro, art cards; it’s time to say goodbye. A little foresight on your part will get your art to its destination,
perfectly addressed and right on time.
Timeframe
Seasoned traders take due dates very seriously, and don’t like to wait for swap returns when they’ve fulfilled
their end of a trade agreement and submitted work timely. You risk negative feedback, a blemished reputation,
probation, or even banning if your art is tardy.
Carefully note the “due by” date for all your swaps. Finish and mail your art accordingly. Allow plenty of travel time.
If need be, choose an expedited shipping option. In the US, that might be Priority Mail (2-3 days domestically)
or even FedEx (overnight) if you’re really close to a deadline.
Every country processes “regular” mail on a unique timetable, so please consult the appropriate postal service
online or by phone, for specifics. On average, however, three weeks should be enough time to ship First Class
letter mail between most countries.
Domestically, most countries average letter mail delivery within five business days.
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