KaKAO stands for KartenKunst, Auflagen und Originale (art cards, editions and originals). These are small, selfmade works of art. In order to be called a KaKAO-card, the work of art must be 6.4 cm x 8.9 cm in size. The size was taken from the original trading cards such as Magic or Pokémon. Like these, KaKAO-cards are also designed to be collected and exchanged and can be stored in the same collection folders or foils.
The content and material of the KaKAO-cards is up to each artist. The cards can be crafted, drawn or made from polymer clay. There are single KaKAO-cards and maxi KaKAO-cards. Maxi KaKAO-cards consist of several single KaKAO-cards that put together create one larger motif.
To complete a KaKAO-card, the card number, card name, artist name as well as place and date of creation should be recorded. The cards are numbered in the order of their creation. All information is noted on the back of the card, though the type and design of the back is left to the artist.
The special thing about KaKAO-cards is that they are mainly created for trading. The cards can be exchanged like other trading cards. In the most cases, however, it comes to trading events such as the following:
- Wichtelkarten (Secret Santa cards): The participants draw a swap partner and create a card for them.
- WuST stands for Wunsch Sammel Tausch (wish collection swap): Similiar to Wichtelkarten swapping. The only difference is that the person whose name was drawn has to explain what they'd like to have drawn.
- STA stands for Sammel Tausch Aktion (collection swap action): 2-3 cards are drawn for a given topic. The cards are then randomly distributed to the participants.
- MSTA stands for Mini Sammel Tausch Aktion (mini collection swap action): Is like the STA, but here a maximum of 6 participants are allowed.
- Wettbewerbe (competitions): The competition organiser specifies a theme, for which pictures are then drawn. Prizes include KaKAO-cards from the competition organiser.
The purpose of the trading events is that each participant draws the same number of cards under the same conditions. For this purpose, these are usually carried out by event leaders. They specify the topic, regulate the process and determine the distribution of the cards among the participants. Depending on the trading events, the cards are randomly or specifically distributed to the participants. Outside of competitions you usually do a 1 to 1 trade. KaKAO-cards can be swaped at trade fairs, on internet forums, between friends etc.
In international terminology, the term KaKAO is used with the acronyms ATC or ACEO. What is the difference between KaKAO and ATC and ACEO?
- ATC stands for artist trading cards: they are never sold, only swaped.
- ACEO stands for art cards, editions and originals: are created with the intention of being sold.
- KaKAO: can be traded as well as sold. These cards are mostly from artists from German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland)
If the cards are sold, care should be taken that the motifs do not infringe any copyrights.
Here you can find my KaKAO-cards:
