Print & Publishing Lions
The Print & Publishing Lions celebrate creativity in circulation.
Introduction

The history of the Print & Publishing Lions
The Print & Publishing Lions were established in 1992 as the Press & Poster Lions. This launch marked a significant shift in the Festival’s direction, expanding its focus beyond film to encompass a broader range of advertising mediums.
The Award has been updated and refreshed a number of times to ensure it continues to accurately celebrate and reflect the publishing industry.
Guidelines to Entering

What kind of work can be entered?
The work will need to demonstrate ideas that leap off the page. Entries should showcase ingenuity and outstanding craftsmanship in published media including books, magazines, covers, printed materials, and digital publications for public distribution.
Posters and billboards are not eligible here - please see Outdoor Lions for this work.
What are the judging criteria?
The main criteria considered during judging will be the idea, the execution and the impact.
Eligibility
Work will need to have been executed during the eligibility period of 06 February 2025 - 09 April 2026.
All executions must have run within the eligibility period.
Is there a limit to how many times I can enter?
There is no overall limit to how many times the same piece of work can be entered into Print & Publishing as long as the categories chosen are relevant.
Exceptions:
- The same piece of work may only be entered once in ‘A. Print: Sectors’.
- In section A, each execution constitutes one entry, and all executions must have run within the eligibility period.
- In sections B, C, and D, multiple executions may be entered as one entry; however, all Print and Publishing executions must have run within the eligibility period.
What do I need to provide with my entry?
To enter, you’ll need to complete an online entry form, which can be found on the Cannes Lions entry site. In the ‘Written Explanation’ section, you’ll be asked to provide the Jury with everything they need to know about your work.
You'll be required provide proof of impact, supported by verifiable evidence, this information will not be shared with the Jury, but will be used to verify claims made in your entry materials. You'll also be required to provide details of a senior executive from both the brand and the entrant company (CEO, CMO or equivalent) who can formally approve the submission.
Optional supporting materials to provide additional context with your entry can also be uploaded.
Subtitles are highly recommended on all case films, films, demo films and original content.
Detailed information outlining the entry process can be found on our Guide to the Cannes Lions Awards.
More information on the rules for entry can be found on the Summary of Key Rules for Entering and the handbook for our new Integrity Standards can be found on the Integrity Standards.
What if I don’t have all the details right away?
Don’t worry – you can fill in the form in any order and save your progress at any time while it’s still in the pending stage. However, please only check out when your entry is 100% complete as no changes can be made to your entry once you’ve clicked “Submit” and “Checkout”.
Entry Tips

What’s the Jury looking for?
Ideas that leap off the page. Ingenuity and outstanding storytelling in published media.
- A strong insight, impressive execution and real results that link back to the objective
- Considered craft (books, magazines, covers, digital publications, etc.)
Tips from the Jury
- Determine the most impressive part of your campaign and find a category that showcases it
- Provide tangible results that demonstrate impact
- Remember the Jury are from all over the world, so provide context throughout your entry to ensure they understand the significance of your results and the relevance of your insight
- The Jury look at hundreds of pieces of work, use storytelling in the written submission and case film to help your work stand out
Inside the Jury Room: Print & Publishing Lions
To hear more from the Jury and how they decided on the winning work, check out the video below.
The Categories

A. Print & Publishing: Sectors
The same entry can be submitted only once in this section.

HAPPINESS WITHIN CHAOS | STELLA ARTOIS | GREY, LONDON | GOLD LION, PRINT & PUBLISHING LIONS | 2025
A01. Consumer Goods
A02. Healthcare
A03. Automotive
A04. Travel, Leisure, Retail, Restaurants & Fast-Food Chains
A05. Media/Entertainment
A06. Consumer Services/Business to Business
A07. Not-for-Profit / Charity / Government
B. Publications
The creation of original printed or published media. This may include, but not be limited to, books, magazines, covers and digital publications. The submission should indicate whether only the cover or the whole publication should be considered/judged.

THE FREEDOM EDITION | SOCIETY | BETC, PARIS | SHORTLIST, PRINT & PUBLISHING LIONS | 2025
B01. Commercial Publications
B02. Publications for Good
C. Innovation in Print & Publishing
If you're submitting more than one execution, please upload all executions in a single digital presentation image.
THE FREEDOM EDITION | BIC | VML, SAO PAULO | SILVER LION, PRINT & PUBLISHING LIONS | 2025
C01. Innovative and adapted use of Print & Publishing
D. Culture & Context
Work that is brought to life through cultural insights and regional context.
If you're submitting more than one execution please upload all executions in a single digital presentation image.

NOTES ON NOTES | CAPITAL BANK | ADPRO&, AMMAN | SILVER LION, PRINT & PUBLISHING LIONS | 2025
D01. Local Brand
D02. Challenger Brand
D03. Single-Market Campaign
D04. Social Behaviour
D05. Use of Humour
D06. Breakthrough on a Budget
D07. Corporate Purpose & Social Responsibility
D08. Market Disruption
D09. Cultural Engagement
The Written Submission

Here’s the questions you’ll be asked regarding your work.
To start your entry to the Print & Publishing Lions, go to our Awards page.
The Jury will refer to the written explanation you provide throughout the judging process. Our advice is to provide as much relevant detail as possible.
When answering the following questions keep the main element you’re trying to celebrate in mind (e.g. the storytelling, the strategy, the craft, the use of data).
The bullet points under each question are prompts designed to guide your thinking, based on the factors the jury will be considering when reviewing your work. You might not need to use them all, and that’s totally fine. They’re there to help you consider what’s most important in your work.
Questions
1. Why is this work relevant for Print & Publishing?
2. Print & Publishing Medium
3. Brand Context
4. Objective(s)
5. Summary of the work
6. Translation
7. Describe the Impact
Was Artificial Intelligence (AI) used in the work or the entry materials?
Sustainability Context
Equity, Representation and Accessibility (if appropriate)
Confidential information for the Jury
Category Specific Questions
C01. Innovative and adapted use of Print & Publishing
D01. Local Brand
D02. Challenger Brand
D03. Single-Market Campaign
D04. Social Behaviour
D05. Use of Humour
D06. Breakthrough on a Budget
D07. Corporate Purpose & Social Responsibility
D08. Market Disruption
D09. Cultural Engagement
Contact us

Everything you need to know to enter
For more detailed information on how to use the entry site, craft a compelling submission or submit your work we have a whole range of resources.
From Entry Guides that give you a step-by-step overview of the entire process to the Entry Kits that provide all the detailed rules and requirements for each and every category.

We are here to help
As Awards Experts, we know the Lions inside out. We can help with:
- Sharing the updates to the Awards for 2026
- Offering best-practice advice on how to craft a compelling entry
- Discussing your work and relevant categories
- Scheduling regular catch-ups to answer any questions that arise throughout the entry process.
Whether you have a specific query or would like expert advice, get in touch today.
Email: awards@canneslions.com Helpline: +44 0 20 7046 1155