Packaging Strategies Editorial Guidelines

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