The Ivà Award for the best professional cartoonist was created in 1994 following the sudden death of Ramon Tosas 'Ivà' in July 1993. After his disappearance, discussions began with two of his friends and cartoonists at Ediciones El Jueves, José Ginés 'Gin' and Miguel Ángel García 'Maikel', to create an award with the support of Ivà's wife, Glòria Sánchez. The Ivà Prize is represented by one of the cartoonist's most famous characters, Makinavaja, who brought urban life to the public in a crude but funny way.

The winner of the price is chosen by popular vote among a selection made by the jury of the "Ciutat de Cornellà" Comic Books Competition. The event is organized by the Town Hall of Cornellà de Llobregat in collaboration with Ediciones El Jueves (and with the collaboration of Ediciones La Cúpula in the first editions).