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33rd Annual Louie Awards

The annual Louie Awards program has been honoring the best cards in the industry for over 30 years. Brought to you by the Greeting Card Association, the Louie Awards recognize, reward, and celebrate that moment when art, editorial, and design perfectly coalesce to bring these emotions to life and memorialize the numerous milestones in our lives.

Officially known as the International Greeting Card Awards Competition, the Louies are named after Louis Prang, the German-born Boston lithographer credited with the birth of the U.S. Christmas card in the 1870s.

Launched by the Greeting Card Association (GCA) in 1988, the prestigious LOUIE Awards recognize the most outstanding greeting cards, invitations, and announcements marketed in the U.S. during the previous calendar year. The competition is open to all domestic and foreign publishers of greeting cards, invitations, and/or announcements, and attracts hundreds of entries annually.

Excitement. Joy. Comfort. Love.

These four emotions are only a few of the many feelings that one may experience when receiving and sending a greeting card and/or invitation commemorating the many moments we experience in our lifetime.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION: @USAGCA on Instagram

 

Why Enter the Louie Awards?

Exposure and Visibility!

 

  • Get your cards seen - All submissions are reviewed by our judges panel that is made up of buyers, retailers, members of the press, sales reps and others looking for the best new cards in the industry.
    • Expose your designs to prestigious retail judges from Paper Source, Barnes & Noble, and more.
    • Finalists will be announced at *Noted in front of hundreds of retailers.
    • GCA Marketplace will showcase Louie finalists and winners with direct links to buy.
    • Awards ceremony takes place at the Atlanta Market in July, with winning cards on display.
    • Faire will highlight Louie history with a landing page celebrating past winners and cards earning 2021’s top honors.
    • A digital Finalist and Winner’s Kit will be available to help you promote your Louie-winning designs.
  • Learn where you stand - Applicants will receive access to the final scores for each entry as well as any comments from judges.
  • Be a part of the GCA Expo - Cards that advance to the finalist round will be prominently displayed at the Louies display. 
  • Go social - All finalist cards will be showcased on the Louies and GCA social media accounts.
  • Get into inboxes - Finalists will also be highlighted in our weekly emails.
  • Live on forever - Images of all finalists and winners will remain archived on the GCA site.
 
 

 

TIMELINE
 
  • October 15th: CALL FOR ENTRIES OPENS

  • December 2nd: Early Bird Deadline

  • January 21st: Regular Submission Deadline

  • CALL FOR ENTRIES CLOSE
  • March-April: Judging of LOUIE Entries
  • May 20th & 21st: Finalists announced at Virtual *Noted

  • July: LOUIE Celebration


Sponsorship and Advertising

Interested in sponsorship and advertising opportunities with the Annual LOUIE Awards?


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