Communication Arts Typography Competition

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The Communication Arts Typography Competition, now in its 56th year, celebrates outstanding work in typography, showcasing the best use of type as a visual element across various design and advertising projects. Winning entries are featured in the prestigious Communication Arts Typography Annual (print, digital, and online), providing invaluable global exposure to creators.

Information & Application Details:

  • Deadline: September 12, 2025
  • Late Deadline: September 26, 2025 (with $10 late fee per entry)
  • Entry Fees: Vary by category (detailed in category PDF)
  • Payment Methods: Credit cards, PayPal, checks, international money orders, wire transfers (additional $25 for wire transfers)

 

Eligibility:

  • Open to international participants
  • Projects must be first published/produced between September 2024 and September 2025
  • Student category available for school assignments (with a discounted fee)
  • AI-generated text-to-image submissions are not accepted

 

Categories:

  • Advertising: Print, out-of-home ads, posters, direct mail, etc.
  • Brochures: Annual reports, catalogs, corporate literature, etc.
  • Posters: Concert, exhibition, gallery, and event posters.
  • Ephemera: Invitations, greeting cards, announcements.
  • Packaging: Labels, shopping bags, product packaging.
  • Books: Covers and complete book designs.
  • Periodicals: Magazines, newspapers, newsletters.
  • Digital Media: Websites, apps, blogs.
  • Environmental: Signage, museum, or tradeshow graphics.
  • Identity: Logos, business papers, branding materials.
  • Motion: Titles, commercials, animations, web videos.
  • Typeface Design: Commercially available typefaces and families.
  • Calligraphy/Hand Lettering: Hand-drawn type for commercial purposes.
  • Miscellaneous: Apparel, merchandise, or products for sale.
  • Unpublished: Experimental/personal work not yet published.
  • Student Work: Projects created for school assignments.

 

How to Apply:

  • Register and submit entries via the online competition system
  • Prepare digital files (JPG, PDF, MOV, MP4, etc.) within specified size limits
  • Provide project details, credits, and necessary translations (if not in English)

 

Submission Requirements:

  • Complete contact and project information
  • Digital images (max 2MB), videos (max 500MB), or PDFs (max 50MB)
  • Typeface entries must include a full character set and sample settings

 

Selection Process:

  • Judging by a panel of leading design professionals
  • Entries are reviewed independently, with majority votes required to advance to final rounds
  • Final winners are chosen by another round of majority voting

 

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Global recognition via Communication Arts print and digital platforms
  • Personalized Award of Excellence (solid aluminum)
  • Award certificates for firms, individuals, and clients

 

Contact & Resources:

 

Website Link:

https://www.commarts.com/competition/2026-typography

 

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