CMYK Poster Show 2026

It’s that time of year again! We’re excited to bring back our annual CMYK Poster Show for another night of design, drinks, creativity, and some friendly competition.

This year’s theme is Propaganda: Make Us Believe.

You have something you believe in. Now, make us believe it too.

Share your testimony or declare your convictions. Start a movement. Make a bold statement about something the rest of us have clearly been getting wrong.

Maybe you’re convinced ranch belongs on everything. Maybe Comic Sans deserves more respect. Maybe aliens absolutely exist, or Mondays should be illegal. Your cause can be serious, completely ridiculous, or land anywhere in between.

Use your powers of persuasion and design something that demands attention. Whatever you’re selling, we’re ready to be convinced.

The CMYK Poster Show has been held in St. Cloud for over a decade now. If you’ve never participated or are a returning participant, this is an event that brings together local designers, students, and professionals. This event is open to the public, and anyone with a passion or knack for design is welcome to participate.

DO I NEED TO BE A DESIGNER TO PARTICIPATE?

Nope! But you do need to know how to get whatever you create into a digital poster format using the specifications that you can download below.

HOW IT WORKS:

Using their medium of choice, artists must follow the specifications outlined in the Call for Designers Form to create a Spooky Spectacle-themed poster. All posters will be printed, on display at the event, and available for all event attendees to purchase via silent auction.

WHEN: Thursday, November 5th
TIME: 5:00-7:00 PM
WHERE: Iron Street Distillery in St. Cloud
COST: The event is FREE* to attend – Bring your friends! / Tickets for bidding will be available for purchase at the door. The cost to participate in the poster show for designers is $15. See fine print details below.

CMYK is open to the public! Whether you’re an artist, a lover of the spooky season, or passionate about color + design, this is an event you don’t want to miss. Cocktails and mock tails will be available to purchase from our friends at Iron Street Distillery.

THE FINE PRINT:

• Cost to submit a poster for auction is $15 to cover printing costs. 1 extra printed poster to keep will be available for each artist at a cost of $10 (paid at time of registration).
• Competition is limited to the first 40 designers.
• Competition is limited to 1 poster per designer.
• Final artwork files must be uploaded via the upload link by Monday, October 26th @ 11:59pm

NOTE: This is a public event; therefore, all posters will be subject to screening before print. AAFCM reserves the right to reject (without refund) any posters deemed offensive, inappropriate, or vulgar.