FIVE CATEGORIES & 28 Subcategories
Submission Deadline: October 30, 2025
Brand Marketing, Brand Marketing - Specialty, PAC IOU Design, Package Innovation Design, & Sustainable Package Design
New categories highlighted in red.

BRAND MARKETING
11 subcategories
New Brand
1. Food: Bakery, cannabis edibles, confectionary, dairy, dry goods, frozen
2. Beverage: Craft brewers, beer, carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, seltzers, juice & juice drinks, sports drinks, tea and coffee, energy drinks & shots, alternative drinks, cannabis, plant-based
3. Non-Food: Automotive & hardware, cannabis non-edibles, household, lawn & garden, pet food, toys
Brand Extension
4. Food: Bakery, cannabis edibles, confectionary, dairy, dry goods, frozen
5. Beverage: Craft brewers, beer, carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, seltzers, juice & juice drinks, sports drinks, tea and coffee, energy drinks & shots, alternative drinks, cannabis, plant-based
6. Non-Food: Automotive & hardware, cannabis non-edibles, household, lawn & garden, pet food, toys
Revitalized Brand
7. Food: Bakery, cannabis edibles, confectionary, dairy, dry goods, frozen
8. Beverage: Craft brewers, beer, carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, seltzers, juice & juice drinks, sports drinks, tea and coffee, energy drinks & shots, alternative drinks, cannabis, plant-based
9. Non-Food: Automotive & hardware, cannabis non-edibles, household, lawn & garden, pet food, toys
Own Brand (New, Extension, Revitalized)
10. Food: Bakery, cannabis edibles, confectionary, dairy, dry goods, frozen
and Beverage: Craft brewers, beer, carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, seltzers, juice & juice drinks, sports drinks, tea and coffee, energy drinks & shots, alternative drinks, cannabis, plant-based
11. Non-Food: Automotive & hardware, cannabis non-edibles, household, lawn & garden, pet food, toys
BRAND MARKETING - SPECIALTY
11 subcategories
Beauty
Cosmetics, personal care, hair care
Connected Pack
Consumer engagement/brand experience facilitated through the combination of design & digital connectivity (QR Codes, Navilens, Zappar or other mobile technology)
Customization & Personalization
Brand experience using packaging to connect with consumers on a personal level i.e. variable/unique pack designs, localized packaging, target/community marketing via packaging, digital printing & embellishments
Entertainment
Album, CD, DVD, gaming
Fresh
Produce (fruit & vegetables)
Health & Wellness
Over-the-counter pharmaceutical, nutrition, organics, naturals, meatless
Limited Edition
One-time items, promotional
Limited Edition - Holiday
Seasonal items related to holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.)
Limited Edition - Sports
Sports related one-time, seasonal, promotional
Short Run - Media/Influencer Kits
Items related to limited short runs, pilots, media influencer kits
Wine & Spirits
Spirits, wine (including non-alcoholic)
PAC IOU DESIGN
2 subcategories
Inclusive Design
A brand lead approach where any of the following (individual or group) was involved: abilities, ages, disabilities, learning styles, life experiences, neurodiversity, races/ethnicities, religion, classes, genders, sexual orientations, and any other difference.
Universal Design
A package innovation lead approach designed for: equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort and size and space for approach and use.
PACKAGE INNOVATION DESIGN
2 subcategories
Label
Innovative label design considering: substrate choices, use of certified materials, sustainable inks and adhesives, print production operational and manufacturing efficiencies, enhanced branding and shelf appeal.
Technical (Includes E-Commerce)
Packaging that features the manufacturing complexity, printing and other applications, connected attributes, & structural design: corrugated containers, flexible packages, glass, labels, metal, paperboard packaging, rigid/semi-rigid containers, transportation protection, combination of any of the above containers.
AND/OR
Packaging designed for the direct-to-consumer experience from e-commerce site. All packaged components which could include the inner elements, outer shippers, mailers, envelopes, shipping materials, etc.
SUSTAINABLE PACKAGE DESIGN
2 subcategories
Carbon Reduction
Packaging that is designed to have a lower carbon footprint supported by LCA data or PIP360 scores and featuring material optimization, use of certified materials, operational and manufacturing efficiencies: corrugated containers, flexible packages, glass, labels, metal, paperboard packaging, rigid/semi-rigid containers, transportation protection, combination of any of the above containers.
Package Circularity
Packaging that is designed for circularity featuring reduction, reuse, recycled content , recyclability &, compostability: corrugated containers, flexible packages, glass, labels, metal, paperboard packaging, rigid/semi-rigid containers, transportation protection, combination of any of the above containers.