Clip Studio Paint x Artfol: Global Comic Awards 2026
Clip Studio Paint x Artfol: Global Comic Awards 2026
Artfol is excited to partner with Clip Studio Paint once again to bring you the Global Comic Awards 2026!
Theme:
**Out of Frame**
Not everything has to stay inside the panel. Bend the rules of comics and storytelling by exploring what happens beyond the frame. Surprise us with a unique interpretation that takes readers somewhere they never expected.
Rules:
• Single image comic: up to 12 panels allowed (max aspect ratio 1:3; tall uploads won’t be cropped)
• No fan art or copyrighted characters/material
• No submissions created using AI in any form, whether partially or entirely. All work must be your own original work.
• No NSFW, gore, or content containing mature or 18+ themes
• No content that contains any Artfol custom filters. These are filters built into Artfol that can be applied to artwork uploaded to the platform.
• Must follow Artfol content guidelines: https://artfol.app/legal/content-guidelines
• Language: English is recommended, but other languages are also accepted
• The same author may submit only one work
• No works under review, previously submitted to other contests/awards, or intended for future commercial release. Entries must not be submitted elsewhere or commercialized until results are announced, except for posting on personal sites/blogs or non-commercial platforms (including Artfol) where they can be edited or removed.
Prizes:
Grand Prize (1 winner) $3,300 USD + 3 years of Clip Studio Paint EX (single-device)
2nd & 3rd Place $1,000 USD each + 3 years of Clip Studio Paint EX (single-device)
Excellence Award (10 winners) $100 USD each + 1 year of Clip Studio Paint EX (single-device)
How to Participate:
1. Create your Out of Frame comic following the rules above.
2. Upload your comic as a submission to this challenge by selecting "Participate".
This contest will run from September 1st to November 16th. Submissions will be officially closed on November 16th, 2026 23:59 UTC.
Rights & Usage Terms
• By entering, the participant agrees that their submission, comments, and Artfol usernames may be translated into other languages by CELSYS Inc., or their business partners.
• By entering, the participant agrees that their work, Artfol username, and related contest information may be shared on official social media accounts of Artfol and CELSYS Inc., as well as used as promotion such as displayed at exhibitions, published in magazines or books, and may be adapted or lightly edited if needed.
• Even after the announcement of the winners and the transfer of prize money, the award may be revoked and the prize money/items must be returned if any of the following are found:
The content infringes on the intellectual property rights of a third party
Use of generative AI
Regarding Prize Money Distribution
• Winners must provide the following information to receive their prize: Name, bank account, address, telephone number and e-mail address.
The prize in Dollars will be transferred to each winner's bank account by Artfol within 30 days of the final results and after communication of the winners' contact details.
• Prize money will be paid via bank transfer or via PayPal. The prize money will be paid in USD. If valid bank account information or a PayPal account e-mail address is not provided within 7 days of Artfol's notification of the award, or if the prize money is not claimed within 30 days after Artfol initiates the payment process, the right to receive the prize money will be forfeited.
• Any transfer or handling fees shall be borne by the winner.
Offers from Partner Companies
• During the contest period, participants may receive offers from Partner Companies for potential serialization in their media. Participants are expected to give priority to these offers over others from non-Partner Companies, especially from the submission period until the announcement of the contest results.
• If Partner Companies express the desire to contact participants for publication purposes, Artfol and CELSYS Inc. will share the participant's personal information (including but not limited to their name, Artfol username, and email address) with the Partner Companies, but only after obtaining the participant's prior consent.
• If you are unable to accept an offer from a Partner Company, please contact us: contact@artfolapp.com.
• Please include your e-mail address, nickname, inquiry, and the subject “About Global Comic Awards 2026”.
For a full list of supporting publishers, please visit the contest page at: https://artfol.app/contest/GlobalComicAwards2026
Artist shown in the promotional image: @yukilian @AriaKey
