Sustainable packaging is no longer a niche consideration, it’s a critical responsibility for the print and packaging industries. As brands, designers, and printers face growing pressure to reduce environmental impact, packaging has become one of the most powerful places to drive meaningful change. From material selection and production methods to lifecycle thinking and end-of-use outcomes, sustainable packaging challenges the industry to rethink how design choices affect the planet. When done well, it proves that innovation, performance, and environmental responsibility can coexist.
We added the Sustainable Packaging category in the PRINT Awards this year to recognize and celebrate work that is leading the way forward. This category will honor projects that go beyond surface-level claims to deliver real impact, whether through reduced waste, lower emissions, responsible sourcing, or smarter, more efficient design. We aim to elevate best practices, inspire industry-wide progress, and acknowledge the designers and producers who are actively shaping a more sustainable future for print.
Design4Better, VSA’s innovation playground, explored a hypothetical rebrand of Seventh Generation’s plastic-free line.
The PRINT Awards is more than a competition; it’s a platform where your creativity and sustainable packaging work can be recognized, elevated, and shared with a global community that values the craft of design at its most essential.
It is the best way to see the best quality and most innovative work in our industry, all in one place. It is also a great source of pride and inspiration, especially for younger designers, to see their effort and work recognized and published. It motivates the entire industry.
Jacques Rossouw, Founder & Creative Director, Voicebox – Jury Member in Packaging & Packaging Design
2024 PRINT Awards Packaging Design Honorees. First Place: Lou Reed / Words & Music / May 1965 – Special Edition Packaging by Masaki Koike – Phyx Design. Second Place: Golden Hour by Miles McKirdy – Golden Hour Wellness
Enter this year to showcase work that proves great design can drive real environmental impact. Place your work on a respected industry stage, validate your sustainability thinking through expert judging, and position you—and your clients—as leaders shaping the future of packaging.
The post Introducing the PRINT Awards Sustainable Packaging Category, New for 2026 appeared first on PRINT Magazine.