Greeting Card Association Names LOUIE Awards Finalists

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2018 – The Greeting Card Association (GCA) announced finalists for the LOUIE Awards, the industry’s pre-eminent competition recognizing outstanding art, editorial and design of greeting cards and invitations. Additionally, the GCA announced plans for its new and improved, less formal LOUIEs celebration. “In today’s digital age, the LOUIEs acknowledge the important role that creative and inspiring cards have in helping people of all ages make significant connections,” said Molly DelMastro, LOUIE Awards Chair and VP, Creative, Viabella and a longstanding GCA member.

Winners will be announced at new LOUIEs Bash
Winners will be announced at the LOUIE Awards Bash on Sunday, May 20 at SPiN in New York City. Finalists and winners will be on view at the GCA’s LOUIEs display at the National Stationery Show in the Jacob Javits Center, May 20-23. Finalists include companies such as Calypso Cards, Compendium, Design Design, Good Paper, Hallmark, Lovepop, Notes & Queries, Rifle Paper Co., Up With Paper, and many others.

“We’re putting a new ‘spin’ on this year’s LOUIE celebration with a re-imagined format, a funky vibe and a fun venue,” said DelMastro. “With a lower ticket price, we’re hoping to draw a much larger crowd for this event which will feature ‘street-style food,’ an open bar, street performers, a pumping DJ and ping pong!” she said.

“Last year was my first time attending and presenting at the LOUIE Awards,” said Lenise Willis, editor in chief of Gifts and Decorative Accessories. “It was such a magical night! The theme and decorations were beautiful, the dinner was delicious and the overall vibe was just so energetic. I’ve been looking forward to this year’s and I can’t wait to see the fun, new twist they’re going to put on it.”

LOUIE History and Judging Criteria
The International Greeting Card Awards, known as the “LOUIEs,” honor Louis Prang, the “Father of the American Christmas Card.” The GCA introduced this competition in 1988 to celebrate the art, editorial and design of greeting cards, invitations and announcements and reinforce the relevance of sending and receiving cards and invitations.

All LOUIE Awards entries were marketed and sold in the U.S. in 2017. Any identifying information about the submitting company was removed from each entry prior to judging. A panel of 19 judges, comprised of executives and experts from throughout the industry, reviewed hundreds of entries submitted by nearly 200 companies in 56 categories. And a Blue Ribbon Panel of five judges selected the two “Cards of the Year” as well as a Judge’s Award for Excellence from among all categories.

Judges evaluate all cards against five criteria:

1. Originality: Does the card take a unique approach to design, concept or execution?
2. Impact: Does the card have emotional impact?
3. Design Excellence: Is the overall look of this card visually appealing? Did the designer make good choices in typography and artwork arrangement?
4. Sendability: Is the card likely to be bought and sent for the occasion or purpose specified by the category? Is its format and design functional?
5. Value: Is this card priced appropriately based on the overall quality of the product?

Tickets to the LOUIE Awards Bash are available on the Greeting Card Association website.