Graphis Poster Awards 2028

The Graphis Poster Awards 2028 are one of the longest-running international poster competitions, run by the New York publisher Graphis. Designers, studios and agencies enter commercial, cultural, social and promotional posters; the best receive Platinum, Gold and Silver awards and appear in the Graphis Poster Annual 2028. The deadline is 2 February 2027 at 11:59pm.

The annual has been a record of poster design for decades. Recent Platinum winners include theatre and opera posters by Atelier Bundi, work by Mirko Ilić and posters from university studios in South Korea and the United States, so the competition places new work alongside some of the field's best-known names.

Both single posters and series can be entered, which suits campaigns and theatre seasons as well as one-off pieces.

Who Can Enter the Graphis Poster Awards?

The competition is open to professionals worldwide: independent designers, design studios, advertising agencies, in-house teams and university studios entering professional work.

It is particularly relevant to:

• Poster and graphic designers
• Studios designing for theatre, music, film and festivals
• Agencies with poster campaigns
• Illustrators whose posters are commissioned work
• Social and cause-led designers

What Can You Enter?

• Single image: one poster
• Image series (up to 7 images): a poster series or campaign, with an optional presentation image

Commercial, cultural, social and promotional posters are all eligible.

Entry Fees

• Single poster: $200
• Series: $350

Graphis members receive 50% off entry fees.

What Do Selected Entrants Receive?

• Platinum, Gold and Silver awards
• Publication in the Graphis Poster Annual 2028 and on the Graphis website
• Visibility with creative directors and design leaders who follow the annual

Submission Requirements

Entries are submitted online through the Graphis entry form.

• JPEG, RGB, up to 5MB per image, 72ppi
• Complete credits: designer, studio, client, illustrator or photographer
• Physical posters are optional, for work where print quality matters to judging

Important Rules

• Files must be RGB, not CMYK.
• Credits are published with winning work, so they must be correct at entry.

When Will Entrants Be Notified?

Awards are published on the Graphis website after judging, and winning posters appear in the Poster Annual 2028.

What Does the Jury Look For?

Graphis juries reward posters that work at a distance and reward a closer look: a strong single idea, confident typography and image, and a clear relationship to the event, cause or product. Looking through the Platinum winners of recent years shows a wide range, from minimal typographic theatre posters to dense illustrated work, so there is no single house style. What they share is clarity of concept and a high level of craft. A poster that only works as a screen image, or that depends on a long explanation, tends to do less well than one that makes its point at a glance.

Things to Consider

• Show posters in context. A clean flat image is required, but a series can include a photo of the poster in place.
• Enter series as series. A theatre season or campaign is judged as a whole and costs less than separate entries.
• Consider membership. If you enter several posters, the 50% member discount can pay for itself.
• Check credits with clients. Printed annuals list the client and team.
• Send a print for special processes. Screen printing, foils or unusual papers can justify a physical entry.
• Compare with past winners. The Graphis archive shows the level the jury rewards.

Enter the Competition

Interested in submitting your work?

Enter the Graphis Poster Awards

For the full entry form and guidelines, visit the official Graphis website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 16, 2026