Whether you’re submitting for the first time or polishing your work, our checklist will help make sure your entry is ready

✔︎ Start with the essentials

For everything you need in one place, make sure to download and review the 2026 User Guide .

✔︎ Have you picked the right category? 

With 80+ sub-categories to choose from, selecting the best fit is key. You can also enter the same design into multiple categories to increase your chances.

✔︎ Have you checked the judging criteria?

Familiarise yourself with what the judges will be looking for when judging your creations:

- QUALITY OF DESIGN: Judges are looking for excellent graphic and structural design, considering aspects such as typography, artwork, the logo or brand name, use of colour, as well as structural aspects such as shape, form and silhouette.

- BRAND EXPRESSION: Judges score how effectively the graphic and (if appropriate) structural design of the pack or range expresses the personality, characteristics or story of the brand.

- CREATIVITY & INNOVATION: Judges score the pack or range for its originality and creativity, considering also innovation in areas currently driving the industry, such as sustainability, inclusive design, smart technology, etc. For re-designs, judges will look at any changes in material use or innovation as well as branding compared to the previous design, and consider any challenges in doing so.

- EMOTIONAL CONNECTION: Judges score whether they like the pack overall, how they responded to it emotionally and whether they believe that it will elicit a positive response in its target market.

- SUSTAINABLE DESIGN CATEGORY CRITERIA: If entering this category, you will need to include information on why the pack is sustainable, including the materials used and their impact on the environment. Judges will be looking for evidence of optimisation in the environmental performance of the packs, as well as the branding and innovation in the pack design

- DESIGN EFFECTIVENESS CRITERIA : Entries into this category must show evidence of commercial achievements and how the design led to the results achieved, whilst sharing details on the market, objectives, challenges, influencing factors and outcomes.

- SUPPLIER INNOVATION OF THE YEAR CRITERIA: Entrants into this category will need to showcase how their business and product benefits their clients in their packaging designs. They will need to share information on their product and the benefits it brings compared to alternatives, demonstrate strong and positive relationships with clients and also highlight any other focuses the business has that helps support the industry.

Have a look at some exclusive tips from the judges here .

✔︎ Does your entry meet the specifications?

Make sure you follow the entry specifications on visuals, project description and credits. 

To give your submission the best chance of success, make sure your entry clearly outlines the concept, execution, and impact of your design. Below are key elements to include:

1. What the brief was or purpose of creation

2. Explain what the product is and use for intended audience

3. How the final product was achieved – highlight any key branding elements, structural design, innovations used, materials used, etc

4. Highlight any cultural relevance key to the pack’s design

We recommend using all five images available in the entry form.

✔︎ Have you reviewed past winning entries?

To understand what makes a standout submission, explore examples from previous winners. You can find these in our User Guide - download it here .

Take a final look, tick off your checklist, and make sure your entry is the best it can be before the deadline hits. Good luck!