CdA and ACEO
CdA and ACEO: small artworks, two formats
CdA and ACEO share a simple idea: an artwork can be small, close to everyday life and enjoyable to collect. Novel Academy’s Artist Card grows out of that interest, alongside the pleasure of collectible cards such as Pokémon and Magic. Every CdA, however, is an original made by hand. When deciding how to create or collect these works, it helps to distinguish their dimensions, supports and ways of taking part.
8 × 12 cm and 2.5 × 3.5 inches
The most immediate difference is size. A CdA measures 8 × 12 cm; an ACEO measures 2.5 × 3.5 inches, equivalent to 6.35 × 8.89 cm. Both can be portrait or landscape. An 8 × 12 cm card therefore does not meet the ACEO size: it is an Artist Card in the CdA project. When making one, always use the finished dimensions, after cutting and preparing the support.
Originals, editions and freedom of technique
ACEO stands for Art Cards, Editions & Originals, encompassing original works and editions. CdA instead requires an original handmade artwork. Drawing, watercolour, oil, acrylic, gouache, calligraphy and mixed media can all find a place in the same format. There is no required subject. A landscape, a face or an abstract exploration offers a different way to inhabit those few centimetres while keeping the artist’s own voice.
Supports for an Artist Card
For a CdA, use 300 g/m² watercolour paper or a thin wood or cardboard panel up to 3 mm thick. Prepare the support with a ground suitable for your technique, particularly for oil painting. The artwork extends to the edge, without a white border. On the back, add your first name, surname, nickname if any, title, technique, date, “CdA” and handwritten signature. These details accompany the card into a collection.
One card, a story or a mosaic
A small format can make it easier to find a moment to create between everyday commitments. A CdA can be a standalone artwork, a stage in a series or a piece of a larger image. Shared dimensions connect works without making them identical. Collecting can also mean following an artist over time, noticing a change in technique and bringing together images made at different moments.
Where NAAG fits in
To submit a CdA to NAAG, register and upload the artwork following the platform’s instructions. Publication for sale takes place after artistic approval. The price follows (8 + 12) × artist coefficient: 0.5 gives €10 and 1.4 gives €28. Only NAAG assigns the coefficient. The platform handles Blockchain timestamping; on its own, this does not guarantee authenticity or growth in value. Read the guidelines and frequently asked questions before creating your first card.
Reference for ACEO specifications: ACEO.com.
Updated 26 October 2026