A great PRINT Awards entry does more than show beautiful work; it tells a complete story of intention, craft, and impact. With the approach of the Early Bird Deadline on Dec. 11, here’s what positions winning submissions above the rest:
A Clear, Compelling Concept
Great entries communicate why the work exists. They explain the problem, the brief, or the opportunity that sparked the project. Judges want to understand the thinking behind the form: the strategy, constraints, and point of view that shaped it.
What this looks like:
A concise project description
Clear articulation of the design challenge
A defined purpose or goal
Exceptional Visual Execution
PRINT Awards celebrate design craft. Your work should demonstrate an elevated level of aesthetics, structure, and detail, whether the project is branding, illustration, motion, packaging, or type design.
Elements that stand out:
High-quality images or mockups
Clean presentation that lets the work shine
Cohesive visual language
A Strong Narrative About the Making
Judges want to see how you think. A great entry reveals process, exploration, and decision-making, not just the polished final.
What to include:
Brief insights into your creative process
Key decisions or iterations
Materials or techniques used
Any innovative or unexpected choices
Context and Impact
Your entry becomes much stronger when you show why it matters. PRINT Awards honor work that resonates culturally, emotionally, or functionally.
Consider addressing:
Who the work was for
How it was received (client, audience, community)
Any measurable outcomes or influence
How it advances conversation in design
Impact doesn’t have to be numerical; emotional or conceptual impact counts too.
Authenticity and Point of View
Judges see hundreds of submissions. What they remember are entries with a distinct voice, intention, or experiment that feels unmistakably yours.
Ask yourself:
What is uniquely “me” about this piece?
What perspective or craft do I bring that others don’t?
This authenticity is often what separates finalists from winners.
Alignment with the Category
Make sure your entry clearly belongs in the category you choose, whether branding, typographic excellence, editorial, packaging, motion, or social-impact work.
Right category = right conversation = better chance to be seen fully.
Each year, the PRINT Awards celebrates the best of design from around the globe, honoring the forms you craft, the boundaries you push, and the shape of things to come in design. Showcase your vision on a global stage, gain recognition from industry-leading judges, and secure the reduced rate while you still can. Your work can help shape the future!
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