The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) has opened submissions for its 74th annual North American Paperboard Packaging Competition. Recognizing masterful folding carton and rigid box manufacturing, the competition will be adjudicated by a panel of packaging experts in July at PPC headquarters in Springfield, Mass. The winning packages will be revealed at PPC’s 2017 Fall Meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz.

A rigorous, standard-setting contest, PPC’s Carton Competition highlights the best paperboard packaging manufactured over the past year. In evaluating each entry, judges examine finished cartons loaded with product, carton blanks, as well as detailed write-ups that reveal customer specifications, design solutions, board type, converting techniques, and more. Judging criteria include concept and design, converting, distribution, fulfillment, retail, and end-user experience.

In addition to a general category, the competition features two special categories. The Innovation category ranks cartons that were converted using new and unique techniques or with innovative substrates, inks, laminates, or coatings. In the Eco category, cartons are evaluated on how they replaced less sustainable substrates or how they decreased waste, utilized recycled/recyclable materials, or promoted clean production processes.

Each carton may be given a Gold, Silver, or Boxmaker award in its respective category. The competition’s top awards include Paperboard Package of the Year, Folding Carton of the Year, Rigid Box of the Year, the Innovation Award, and the Eco Award.

“For almost 75 years, the paperboard packaging industry has looked to the PPC’s North American Paperboard Packaging Competition, not only to honor the best of the best in converting, but also to discern upcoming trends and production techniques,” says Ben Markens, president of PPC. “I’m looking forward to another dynamic competition in 2017!” 

The 2017 panel of judges includes packaging experts with a wide variety of backgrounds from technical converting to branding and marketing. The panel includes: Joanne Grennille, senior packaging scientist at Mars Chocolate NA; Sandra A. Krasovec, packaging design professor at FIT; Bill Wynkoop, adjunct packaging professor at RIT; John Lyons III, former associate publisher of Package Design magazine; retired packaging executives Gary Miller and Richard DePaul; and Lynsie Gibson, packaging engineer at Performance Health/Hygenic Corp.
PPC members should submit entry forms before June 1, 2017. For more information, visit paperbox.org/cc.