The 25th Annual LOUIE Awards for the best greetings cards in America are now open for entries. This year’s theme – “The Artist & The Card” – will spotlight the artists behind the cards, the tradition of sending greetings and invitations, and the simple yet broad medium of paper.
“This milestone anniversary calls for a unique celebration that recognizes the tradition and excellence in design within the greeting card industry,” states 25th Anniversary LOUIE Awards Chair Monika Brandrup-Thomas, v.p. and creative director at Up With Paper, who says her goal as this year’s LOUIE chair is “to raise the profile of the Awards within the industry and to increase participation, especially among newer and smaller companies.”
The 25th Anniversary LOUIE Awards will feature a total of 28 categories – among them several new categories such as “Letterpress.” Most categories will be divided into two price breaks: Above $3.50, and $3.50 or Less. Submissions will be judged on originality, impact, design excellence, sendability and value, by a panel of industry experts in late January. The deadline for submissions is November 15.
Judging will take place in late January in conjunction with the New York International Gift Fair and the LOUIE finalists will be announced in March 2013. Awards will be presented at the 25th Annual LOUIE Awards celebration on Sunday, May 19, 2013, during the National Stationery Show in New York City.
A pdf of LOUIE “Official Competition Categories,” including refined descriptions to facilitate the best placement for submissions, can be downloaded at by clicking here.