When submitting content to Packaging Strategies, please follow the editorial guidelines mapped out below. For guidelines on specific types of online and print content, read our Submissions Guidelines.

Numbers/Measurements

• 8 x 10 inches; 8 inches x 10 feet; 8 x 10-inch table
• ml with no space before (Ex.: 500ml)
• mm with no space before (Ex.: 18mm)
• pounds (first reference); lbs thereafter (60lbs)
• ounce spelled out always (10-ounce)
• square foot & square feet spelled out always (70 square feet)
• Footprint: 16 x 18 x 20 feet (l, w, h)

For temperatures, use the degree sign--100° F.  Exempt here:  spell out (i.e., 90-degree turn). Style for temperatures is number (100), degree sign, space, F or C (Fahrenheit or Celsius) and then a period (.) regardless of whether it is the end of a sentence or not. (Ex: 100° F.)
° (degree sign) is ALT 248.

Use numerals when referring to measurements; otherwise write out numbers less than 10. Use numerals for all numbers two-digit or more (i.e., two-digit, 2-ounces, 10 years,).  Use comma for thousands (1,000).

Always put zero before decimals less than 1 (Ex.: 0.5mm, NOT .5mm)

6-pack (pack always written out) when in a sequence, 4-, 6-, 8-, 12-pack

Symbols

• +/- (not ±)
• Use ™ (opt. 2) and ® (opt. R) if forced to by the manufacturer for first reference only (but not in heads/decks). ® should be two type sizes smaller (8 points in text) and superscript
• Use the percent sign (%) with numbers (50% - NOT 50 percent)

Words
The company……… its product (not their product)

Abbreviations:
Corp. not Corporation
Inc. not Incorporated
Int’l not International
LLC for Limited Liability Company
Ltd. for foreign company references

• Over/under: Use “over” and “under” when referring to vertical position, NOT to indicate quantity. (Ex.: “There are over 500 exhibitors” should be “There are more than 500 exhibitors”)
• More than/less than: Use “more than” or “less than” when referring to quantity. (Ex.: “There are more than 500 exhibitors.”)
• Ideal/perfect: Use “suitable” instead of “ideal” or “perfect.” (In general, avoid superlatives. They’re impossible to verify and usually are just hype anyway.)
• Use says, not said
• Always use postal abbreviations, MI, not Mich
• Prefixes like pre and non are not hyphenated unless preceding a vowel. (Preshow. Pre-eminent)
• Dollar amounts: $100 or $100.50 (no need for “.00”) But be consistent throughout (Ex.: $100.00 if there is also a $100.50).
• Watch for “s” instead of “z” (Ex: organize, analyse) and extra “u”s (Ex: flavour, colour) in words on foreign releases.
• Punctuation—period  inside quotes (“Like this.”) and outside parentheses [(Like this).]
• Web headlines should be SEO friendly, catchy and not too long

News Sections

• Only first word is capitalized on all heads and decks
• Single space
• Bold supplier name on first reference and add link (no “www”) in parentheses on all vendors: Company (company.com)
• For market research companies, include link but not bolded
• No titles (Mr./Mrs./etc)
• After 1^st reference, use last name only
• Make sure time references are timely; avoid “today,” “this week,” etc…

Supplier Products

• Head should use a verb & not use company name
• Send email to source when posted
• Must have at least one image

New Packages

• Focus is package, not vendor/packager
• Use a strong head
• No supplier name in head, brand names OK in head
• Send email to source when posted
• Must have at least one image

Supply Side

• Use supplier name in head.
• Send email to source when posted
• Stock image for web posting is OK

Packaging News

• Supplier and brand names OK in head
• Stock image for web posting is OK

Print

• All photos for print need to be high resolution, 300dpi or higher
• Feature- 2 pages long, 1,000 words. 500 words per page. 2-3 images. No manufacturer name in photo captions, and use complete sentences.
• Events calendar: Spell out month, don’t include year unless it is not the current year.
• New Packages
  • Each new package story should be around 75-100 words
  • No same supplier or brand should be featured twice
  • Should include a nice mix of food, beverage, household & pharma
  • High resolution image(s) should accompany each new package. If the item comes in multiple varieties try to find images of each variety when possible.
  • Choose one major package innovation to be package of the month
  • Remove brand names from these headlines
  • Include eight total products each month
• Supplier Products
  • Each product story should be around 100 words
  • No same supplier or brand should be featured twice
  • High resolution image(s) should accompany each product.
  • The supplier product focus should include two to four products that suit that month’s focus
  • Remove brand and supplier names from these headlines
  • Include eight total products each month
• Packager News
  • Each new blurb should be around 80 words long
  • Include one image for the entire section
  • Include 5 to 6 stories each month- only 1 page
  • Create user-friendly link with Hillary for each one. see example
• Supplier News
  • Each new blurb should be around 80 words long
  • Include one to three images for the entire section
  • Include 5 to 6 stories each month- only 1-page
  • Create user-friendly link with Hillary for each one. see example