The term comes to English from the French biscuit (bis-qui), which itself has a Latin root: panis biscotus which refers to bread twice-cooked. The average British person munches on three biscuits a day, equalling 204m-a-day across the UK's 68m population. Over the course of a year, that works out at 1,095 biscuits each, weighing an astonishing 8.5kg (source: Daily Mail).
Visual appeal is very important to purchasers in the gifting market, and many biscuit tins are kept long after consumption of the contents, for many different secondary uses; or just because they are stunning pieces in their own right.
Metal can be recycled an infinite number of times without loss of quality. It has been designated 'permanently available material' status, making metal packaging a key contributor to the circular economy.
The Brief
Design and develop a metal pack to hold biscuits; aimed at high-end stores specialising in quality foods, giftware and souvenir packs such as those you might find at n airport duty free store.
Students should focus on the pack; it can be for one variety or a selection of biscuits. It can be any shape or size (within reason!), should showcase the great possibilities in metal, what stunning designs and finishes can be achieved with metal; be eye catching and have real shelf appeal.
Model pictures or rendering of the final design should be included with development boards.
Points to consider
- High quality decoration and graphics.
- Textures and print finishes.
- Shaping.
- Embossing, debossing, micro embossing, perforations.
- Variety of opening and closing options.
- Creative branding to enhance shelf impact and consumer appeal and add value.
Materials to be used
These types of packs are usually made of tinplate. Entrants do not need to specify the thickness of the metal.
Materials other than metal should not be used in the main pack design.
Entry Guidelines
Submission details
Entries must include uploads of the developments boards and photographic evidence of the final model
The 4 A3 development boards uploaded as a single PDF document should include the following:
- Research board
- Design exploration board
- Net of recommended design solution.
The photographic evidence should be uploaded as a single PDF document and should:
- Showcase the front, back and sides of the model
- Be shot against a white background and in focus. These images will be used in the Starpack Competition book and potentially for additional promotion
- A maximum of 4 images should be uploaded
- For students who are unable to supply a final model, 3D renderings and drawings are accepted.
Development boards must not show the entrant’s name or University or College.
Dates & Conditions
- The project names submitted at the time of entry will be printed as typed, if there are any errors and certificates/trophies need replacing, then the entrant will be liable for these costs.
- If you are not able to attend the ceremony in person or the ceremony becomes virtual, certificates and trophies will be sent by post to the entrants to the mailing address listed in the entry in late June 2025.
- Please make sure you have access to the mailing address past term times. If you are unsure, please enter your home address.
- IOM3 is unable to issue replacements for certificates/trophies sent to wrong addresses.
About the Entry
Judging criteria
Entries will be judged against the following judging criteria:
- Decoration and graphics.
- Textures and print finishes.
- Shaping.
- Embossing, debossing, microembossing, perforations.
- Variety of opening and closing options.
- Creative branding to enhance shelf appeal.
Brief F Judges
Prize
Winner: £600 cash prize (runner-up prizes will be awarded at the judges' discretion)
IOM3 presents trophies to Gold, Silver and Bronze and certificates to Highly Commended entries.
About The Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association
The Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association is the lead voice of the UK metal packaging industry with direct links into a European market employing 177,000 people across 760 companies producing over 98 billion containers each year. The Association supports and represents members’ interests on industry matters related to operational, regulatory and environmental issues and promotes the benefits of metal packaging and the sustainable attributes of steel and aluminium through education programmes, industry awards and relevant communication channels.
About MPMA
MPMA is the recognised and unified voice of the metal packaging industry to government, NGOs and broader stakeholders, bringing influence to achieve favourable policy and activity outcomes for the sector.
Through advocacy and education, our ptomotional and publish relations activities highlight the unique sustainability and performance benefits of metal packaging, ensuring these are widely understood and valued.
Useful links
Visit the MPMA website for guidance and helpful videos
For inspiration
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/metalpackuk/2025-student-starpack-brief-inspiration/
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsQs4JOAhnyV9eH9CHjIcdoo47T0RwiBW
