Rules for entry

  • Entries must be folding cartons
  • All entries must be manufactured for sale
  • Entries may be submitted by anyone but all entries must have been printed and converted by an ECMA or Pro Carton member
  • All entries must be manufactured on cartonboard produced by a member or overseas patron of Pro Carton.
  • All entries must be produced predominantly from cartonboard or cartonboard laminated to microflute (with a depth of 1mm or less)
  • Rigid boxes or similar made by covering board (usually grey board) with paper or a similar material will not be accepted.
  • All entries must have been produced and sold in 2014, 2015 or 2016
  • Promotional cartons either for cartonmakers or cartonboard manufacturers cannot be entered
  • If entries need to be returned, this will be at the cost of the entrant
  • All entries should wherever possible contain the product for judging purposes. This is not essential for perishable goods
  • Each entry will be judged on the merits of the carton only
  • Entrants may submit unlimited entries
  • The carton manufacturer’s name should not appear on the carton if possible. If it does, it will be hidden from the judges
  • Three examples of each entry should be submitted
  • All entries should be submitted under one of the categories. Entries may be reclassified at the judges’ discretion
  • Categories with less than 5 entries will not be judged
  • All entries will be judged for the special Awards:
    Carton of the Year, Most Innovative and Sustainability
  • The results will be announced at the ECMA Congress
  • Pro Carton and ECMA reserve the right to use all entries for publicity purposes
  • The entrant is fully responsible for the approval of the brand owner
  • The decision of the judges will be final

Procedure for entry

  • Entry forms must be signed by a representative of the company making the entry
  • A minimum of three samples, preferably with contents, should be submitted for judging
  • If the content is not available please replace with a dummy or a photo to give an impression of the packaging/product concept
  • Entry forms should be completed as fully as possible in English or German.
  • A signed copy of the entry form needs to be added to each entered carton
  • The completed online entry form will be used for the judging and therefore needs to be identical with the signed entry form – no additions will be accepted
  • The jury will select the Carton of the Year, the Most Innovative Design as well as one for the Sustainability Award from all submitted entries. The Sustainability Award will be awarded to the entry which best demonstrates the sustainability of cartons and cartonboard
  • Award winners and finalists in the volume market category will be selected from all entries manufactured in quantities exceeding 1 million units
  • Carefully pack and send entries to
    Pro Carton/ECMA
    Laan Copes Van Cattenburch 79
    NL-2585 EW The Hague, The Netherlands
  • Entry fee/s: € 100.- per entry;
    Further entries per entrant/production unit: -25%;
    Early bird entries: -10%
    The fee should be paid as per invoice received.