2019
Packaging Awards
Online Submissions: NOW CLOSED!
2019 CATEGORIES
RECORD STORE DAY (VINYL)
Recognizes the best-designed album that was exclusively released for Record Store Day 2019 or RSD Black Friday 2018.
BEST VINYL GATEFOLD
Judging aesthetics of the spread’s multiple panels, including inside graphic design, quality of photography and/or illustration (2 or more).
SAVE THE EARTH (VINYL)
Recognizes innovations in sustainability in that the package itself utilized environmentally sound (e.g., 100% recyclable paper, special links) materials and practices.
BEST VINYL BOX SET (AT LEAST 3 RECORDS)
Recognizes the quality of the box itself, as well as booklets, posters, inner sleeves, etc., and how all the elements fit together aesthetically.
THEY SAID IT COULDN’T BE DONE (VINYL)
Recognizes innovation in structural design that takes into account the use of new machinery or materials or folds or printing processes that stretches the boundaries of album packaging that previously existed.
BEST 45-RPM SINGLE COVER
Recognizing stellar 7-inch packaging that takes into the cover, the single’s inner label, coating of the outer package’s paper, etc.
BEST VINYL REISSUE PACKAGE
Recognizing stellar packaging of “classic” album that improves on the original, and record must have been re-released on vinyl within
the past year by Aug. 31, 2019.
the past year by Aug. 31, 2019.
BEST VINYL ALBUM LP COVER (ILLUSTRATION)
Recognizing covers adorned by an original painting, illustration or graphic design either newly created or repurposed (i.e., vintage). practices.
BEST VINYL ALBUM LP COVER (PHOTOGRAPH)
Recognizing covers adorned by black & white or color photo; new or vintage that exemplifies visually the art form of photography but adapted for the 12-inch x 12- inch canvas aesthetically.
BEST JAZZ OR CLASSICAL, ETC. VINYL LP PACKAGE
This category recognizes that some musical genres (jazz, classical, world, spoken word, reggae, etc.) require different aesthetics beyond the most popular rock or pop music.
BEST RECORD ART
Recognizing what’s on the actual vinyl itself (e.g., colors, designs and/or patterns) – not the outer packaging and giving credit to the press technician responsible.
BEST PICTURE DISC
Recognizing records that appear to have pictures, images, or graphics on their playing surface.
BEST CASSETTE TAPE PACKAGE
Tapes like vinyl have made a return In the commercial marketplace. This category shows off the format’s best packaging.
THEY SAID IT COULDN’T BE DONE – CD
Recognizes innovation in structural design that takes into account the use of new machinery or materials or folds or printing processes that stretches the boundaries of album packaging that previously existed.
BEST CD BOX SET (AT LEAST 3 CDS)
Recognizes the quality of the box itself, as well as booklets, posters, inner sleeves, etc., and how all the elements fit together aesthetically
FAQ’s
Q: When will the Making Vinyl Packaging Awards will be presented?
A: On Oct.15 at the Hotel W in Hollywood.
Q: How are the awards judged?
A: A panel of professional, award-winning art directors will review submissions online and vote on their overall aesthetic value, meeting certain criteria depending on category (see descriptions). Points will be tallied automatically to determine the top 5 finalists in each category. The winners will be selected
Q: How can I submit an entry for to be considered?
A: Entries will be submitted entirely electronically requiring high-quality photographs that best shows the package why it meets a certain level of excellence.
Q: When must have an entry been released to be eligible for consideration?
A: Aug. 16, 2018 – Oct. 14, 2019
Q: What is the deadline to submit?
A: Aug. 16, 2019, 11:59 pm (EST), no exceptions. Be sure to fill out all fields on the online entry form including: credit card number, expiration date, security code, address of cardholder account; submitter’s email and phone number.
Q: How much does it cost to enter the awards?
A: $85 for one entry, $70 each for two to five entries from the submitter (e.g., label, packager, manufacturer, distributor, artist, etc.), $55 each for six to ten entries, and $45 each for eleven or more entries in other categories.
Q: How can I pay for entries?
A: By credit card or PayPal.
Q. When will finalists be alerted?
A: Five finalists in each category will be alerted by email by Aug. 26 (EOB).
Q: Do finalists then submit physical copies of the package?
A: Yes, two copies of each finalist package must be physically mailed to Making Vinyl at an address TBA so they’re so received by Sept. 6. No exceptions. Failure to do so risk not being considered for the winning package. These packages will not be returned.
Q. What should finalists submit?
A: The actual package, including vinyl record, CD or cassette.
Q: When will the winners be notified?
A: Finalists alerted Aug. 26
Q: Who will get recognized among the winners?
A: We realize that many individuals are involved in creating a record package. Therefore, on the entry form we leave it to the submitter to acknowledge all parties who participated in the conception and execution, and individuals who played a role in winning packages. The submitter must indicate who should be named on the certificate that is suitable for framing. Additional certificates will be made available for purchase after the awards ceremony.
Q: Who is Alex Steinweiss and why is the ‘Best in Show’ award named after him?
A: Alex was the creator of the first commercially intended album cover for Columbia Records in 1939. He’s widely regarded as the father of the modern entertainment packaging industry. He passed away in 2011.
Q: Are there really two categories honoring compact discs and one for cassettes?
A: Yes, while most of the competition is focused on vinyl, there is one category for multi-disc CD boxed sets, and another titled “And the said it couldn’t be done,” demonstrating particular ingenuity in packaging a single CD. Like vinyl before it, cassettes have made a comeback in terms of newly manufactured tapes.
Q: What should I do if I have additional questions about the Making Vinyl Packaging Awards?
A: For general questions, email Larry Jaffee at larry@makingvinyl.com or call 917-291-2488. For payment problems/questions, email Aimee Eaddy at aimee@makingvinyl.com or call (765) 391-5328. We are based in the Eastern Time Zone.