Quality Awards

This set of awards recognise excellence in packaging design, production, and innovation and are open to anyone involved in packaging production, specification, or design.

You can view the general criteria for all quality awards categories below, as well as the category specific criteria by clicking the 'view criteria' button on each award.

Products will only be considered from 1 May 2023 to 1 May 2024.

Please note that by entering any of the Quality Award Categories, you will be required to submit sample(s) of your product for Judging. Full Delivery Instructions and Guidance can be found on your confirmation email upon completing your entry.

To enter an award, you must complete the online entry form which will involve submitting a 500-word summary. Details of what to include in your summary can be found in the category description for each award. You will be required to provide details of who has been involved in creating the pack, including names of material suppliers, manufacturers, designers and clients.

To be considered, the design and/or manufacturing must have been carried out in the UK. In addition, judges require strong evidence of any environmental statements or claims made in regards to the packaging project. Entries must demonstrate that packs have the relevant accreditations. Data must be provided to support any claim of carbon reduction, recyclability and/or compostability.

All entries must adhere to the Competition Markets Authorities’ Green Claims Code.

You may enter a single pack into a maximum of two categories. Unless stated otherwise, you will be asked to submit two samples of the entire filled pack per category.

If you are entering perishable items, please inform our event team who will advise on arrangements.

For all categories, unless otherwise stated, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality
  • Graphics and decoration
  • Shelf stand-out
  • Useability and openability
  • Product protection
  • Supply chain efficiency
  • Innovation and originality
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand

Best International Pack

This category will award a launch or rebrand of a pack that has global reach with launch in various overseas markets along with its home country.

This category is now closed

Best International Pack

This award must be available in the UK and at least one other country – the more countries it is available in, the better score the entry will receive.

Judges will take into account factors including:

  • How the packaging helped carry the product in different overseas markets
  • How the product’s packaging has affected its commercial success
  • How much focus on sustainable materials and recyclability there was
  • The on-shelf stand-out of the pack
  • The overall impact the packaging had on the brand – especially though social media crossing overseas markets

Best New Concept Awards

Packaging is full of ingenious inventions that have not yet made it to market.


This award recognises the best new packaging innovation that has not yet been taken up by a brand or end user. Judges will be looking for the best innovative pack prototypes or new materials.

This category is now closed

Best New Concept Awards

Judges will be looking for the best innovative pack prototypes or new materials.

Entrants must demonstrate how their invention is scalable in terms of production and what problem it aims to solve that current packs do not solve.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including: 

  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality 
  • Graphics and decoration 
  • Shelf stand-out 
  • Useability and openability 
  • Product protection
  • Supply chain efficiency
  • Innovation and originality 
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Best Packaging of a New Product

This category recognises packs of any material that have been an essential element in the success of a new product or brand manufactured in the UK.

This category is now closed

Best Packaging of a New Product

Entries should contain a summary from the brand owner explaining how the product’s packaging has affected its commercial success, a pack brief and an explanation of how the pack meets the brief.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures 
  • Print and production quality
  • Graphics and decoration 
  • Shelf stand-out
  • Useability and openability 
  • Product protection
  • Supply chain efficiency
  • Innovation and originality 
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Branding Project of the Year

This category rewards outstanding brand design projects for either new or existing products.
This category is now closed

Branding Project of the Year

Judges will be looking for outstanding and original graphic design that encapsulates the brand’s values and communicates it clearly and effectively to consumers.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality
  • Graphics and decoration 
  • Shelf stand-out
  • Useability and openability 
  • Product protection 
  • Supply chain efficiency 
  • Innovation and originality
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Cartonboard Pack of the Year

This category recognises innovation and excellence in production for all types of packs made primarily from cartonboard, but caps, windows and other components can be made from other materials.

This category is now closed

Cartonboard Pack of the Year

Along with a description of how the pack met the brief, please supply one full pack, one flat pack (if applicable) and one that is fully constructed but empty.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures 
  • Print and production quality 
  • Graphics and decoration 
  • Shelf stand-out 
  • Useability and openability
  • Product protection 
  • Supply chain efficiency
  • Innovation and originality 
  • Environmental impact 
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Consumer Convenience Award

This category rewards the best packs of any material that demonstrate outstanding convenience for the consumer, including factors such as ease of opening, resealing, ease of use, ease of storage and ease of disposal.
This category is now closed

Consumer Convenience Award

This category rewards the best packs of any material that demonstrate outstanding convenience for the consumer, including factors such as ease of opening, resealing, ease of use, ease of storage and ease of disposal.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality
  • Graphics and decoration
  • Shelf stand-out
  • Useability and openability
  • Product protection
  • Supply chain efficiency
  • Innovation and originality
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Corrugated: Online Retail and Consumer Goods

This category is open to all corrugated packs that perform a role in the retail space to deliver primary packs to shoppers, including retail ready packs and point of sale units.

This category is now closed

Corrugated: Online Retail and Consumer Goods

This category must be made predominantly from corrugated material, but caps, windows and other components can be made from other materials.

A sample of one full pack, one flat pack (if applicable) and one that is fully constructed but empty is also required.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality
  • Graphics and decoration
  • Shelf stand-out
  • Useability and openability
  • Product protection
  • Supply chain efficiency
  • Innovation and originality
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Corrugated: Retail Ready and Point of Sale

This category is open to all corrugated packs that perform a role in the retail space to deliver primary packs to shoppers, including retail ready packs and point of sale units.
This category is now closed

Corrugated: Retail Ready and Point of Sale

In all cases, judges will be looking for production quality as well as standout and ease-of-use for the store operative.

Packs in this category must be made predominantly from corrugated material, but components such as windows can be made from other materials.

Please supply one full pack, one flat pack (if applicable) and one that is fully constructed but empty.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality 
  • Graphics and decoration
  • Shelf stand-out 
  • Useability and openability
  • Product protection
  • Supply chain efficiency
  • Innovation and originality
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Flexible Plastic Pack of the Year

This category will reward excellence in production and innovation in flexible plastic packs such as pouches, sachets, sacks and bags.
This category is now closed

Flexible Plastic Pack of the Year

This pack should primarily be made predominantly from flexible plastic materials, but caps, windows and other components can be made from other materials.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality 
  • Graphics and decoration
  • Shelf stand-out 
  • Useability and openability
  • Product protection 
  • Supply chain efficiency 
  • Innovation and originality 
  • Environmental impact 
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Glass Pack of the Year: Other drinks, food and other glass products

These categories are open to all frosted, clear or coloured glass packaging including jars, bottles and vials.

This category is now closed

Glass Pack of the Year: Other drinks, food and other glass products

Judges will be looking for both innovation and production excellence and will consider each pack based on how well the pack meets the brief and fits its target market.

Entries should be made primarily from glass, but caps, windows and other components can be made from other materials.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality
  • Graphics and decoration 
  • Shelf stand-out 
  • Useability and openability
  • Product protection 
  • Supply chain efficiency 
  • Innovation and originality 
  • Environmental impact 
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Glass Pack of the Year: Spirits, Perfume and Cosmetics

These categories are open to all frosted, clear or coloured glass packaging including jars, bottles and vials.

This category is now closed

Glass Pack of the Year: Spirits, Perfume and Cosmetics

Judges will be looking for both innovation and production excellence and will consider each pack based on how well the pack meets the brief and fits its target market.

Entries should be made primarily from glass, but caps, windows and other components can be made from other materials.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality
  • Graphics and decoration
  • Shelf stand-out
  • Useability and openability
  • Product protection
  • Supply chain efficiency
  • Innovation and originality
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Innovation of the Year

  • This category rewards packs of any material that have brought something completely new and unexpected to the market and delivered real benefits to a brand.
This category is now closed

Innovation of the Year

Details of the development process should also be highlighted as well as how the pack added value to the brand.

Clearly with sustainability high on the agenda, the recyclability of the pack will be important.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality
  • Graphics and decoration
  • Shelf stand-out
  • Useability and openability
  • Product protection
  • Supply chain efficiency
  • Innovation and originality
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?


Metal Pack of the Year: Decorative & General Line

This category rewards excellence in innovation and production for packs made of aluminium, steel or all market except food and drinks. Closures and lids made of metal, are eligible for entries even if the body of the pack is not made of metal.
This category is now closed

Metal Pack of the Year: Decorative & General Line

This sub-category is only open to decorative & general line products – which includes almost all non-food and non-drinks packaging.

This category is only open to packs produced by members of the Metal Packaging Manufacturers’ Association.

All products submitted must have been manufactured in an MPE (Metal Packaging Europe) member country which covers Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the UK and must be made predominantly from metal material.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures Print and production quality
  • Graphics and decoration
  • Shelf stand-out Useability and openability
  • Product protection
  • Supply chain efficiency Innovation and originality
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Metal Pack of the Year: High Volume Food & Beverage

This category rewards excellence in innovation and production for packs made of aluminium, steel or any other metal for the food and drinks market. Closures and lids made of metal, are eligible for entries even if the body of the pack is not made of metal.
This category is now closed

Metal Pack of the Year: High Volume Food & Beverage

This first sub-category is only open to high volume food and drinks – the daily food and drink products shopping items.

The category is only open to packs produced by members of the Metal Packaging Manufacturers’ Association. All products submitted must have been manufactured in an MPE (Metal Packaging Europe) member country which covers Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the UK and must be made predominantly from metal material.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:
  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality
  • Graphics and decoration
  • Shelf stand-out
  • Useability and openability
  • Product protection
  • Supply chain efficiency
  • Innovation and originality
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Label of the Year

This category recognises the best in printed labels and is open to all labels for packaging, including self-adhesive labels, shrink sleeves, wet-glue labels, leaflet labels and in-mould labels, printed using any method.

This category is now closed

Label of the Year

The label submitted must be the final version displayed on the pack.

Judges will be assessing look and feel of the label. In addition, the material(s) used and print processes.

Judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality
  • Graphics and decoration
  • Shelf stand-out
  • Useability and openability
  • Product protection
  • Supply chain efficiency
  • Innovation and originality
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand 

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack & lable have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Luxury Pack of the Year

Luxury products will always need luxury packaging – a simple fact!

This category is now closed

Luxury Pack of the Year

Judges will scrutinise new luxury packaging launches, balancing the glitz of the pack with a check on the amount of investment made in these trying economic times, the push towards sustainable materials, and the stand-out in the crowd factor.

Other aspects the judges will assess are the graphical and structural creativity of the pack, the recyclability of the pack, certifications, and the success of the launch.

Limited Edition of the Year

The proliferation of limited-edition packs in recent times has demonstrated a growing recognition of the power of special edition packaging in influencing consumers’ purchasing decisions, which has historically taken advantage of set occasions in the year.

This category is now closed

Limited Edition of the Year

This award recognises the very best limited-edition packs, in any material or market, taking into account factors such as the success of the promotion, the graphical and structural creativity of the pack and how the limited edition reflects the brand itself.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality
  • Graphics and decoration
  • Shelf stand-out 
  • Useability and openability
  • Product protection
  • Supply chain efficiency
  • Innovation and originality 
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Resource Efficient Pack of the Year

This category will reward the pack that shows the best social and environmental credentials.
This category is now closed

Resource Efficient Pack of the Year

Judges will take into account factors including:

  • Was the packaging designed as part of the product development process?
  • Did the design of the sales packaging take account of how the grouping and transport packaging would fit with it?
  • Does the whole system (sales, grouping and transport packaging) use the minimum adequate amount of materials to provide the necessary protection and preservation of the product?
  • After use is the packaging capable of being recovered either as energy or a material or composted?
  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications enabling the brand/retailer to make its sustainable case?

Rigid Plastic Pack of the Year

This category recognises the best innovation and production in rigid plastic packs and is open to blow moulded, thermoformed and injection moulded packs made from materials including PP, PET, LDPE, HDPE and bioplastics.
This category is now closed

Rigid Plastic Pack of the Year

This category is open to blow molded, thermoformed and injection molded packs made from materials including PP, PET, LDPE, HDPE and bioplastics.

Clearly with the plastic packaging debate swirling, the recyclability of the pack and over sustainability credentials will be crucial.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality
  • Graphics and decoration
  • Shelf stand-out 
  • Useability and openability
  • Product protection
  • Supply chain efficiency 
  • Innovation and originality
  • Environmental impact 
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?

Reusable Pack of the Year

This award will recognise the latest innovations in reusable packaging – an area that has come under increased scrutiny and rising importance as a result of the single-use debate. All packaging projects entered to this category must be reused for the purpose it was originally designed for. Entries that simply repurpose the pack for another use will not be considered.
This category is now closed

Reusable Pack of the Year

Judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures
  • Print and production quality
  • Graphics and decoration
  • Shelf stand-out
  • Useability and openability
  • Product protection
  • Supply chain efficiency
  • Innovation and originality
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand

Supply Chain Solution of the Year

This category recognises packaging of any material that has helped products travel safely, conveniently and cost-effectively through the supply chain.
This category is now closed

Supply Chain Solution of the Year

Entries can include one-way or returnable outer case transit packs, crates and pallets and industrial packaging in any material.

In addition, judges will be looking for the pack that offers the optimal solution to its brief and will consider a range of relevant aspects including:

  • Shapes and structures 
  • Print and production quality 
  • Graphics and decoration 
  • Shelf stand-out 
  • Useability and openability 
  • Product protection 
  • Supply chain efficiency 
  • Innovation and originality 
  • Environmental impact
  • Added value to the brand

Entries must also take into account the following:

  • What data do you have to back up claims of recyclability, compostability and/or reduced carbon footprint?
  • Does the pack have the accreditations and certifications to make its sustainable case?