The fourth annual Colored by INX Can Design Contest is now accepting entries. Open to all brand owners, design agencies, marketers and metal decorators who used the INX Color Catalog to produce a commercial can design before December 31, 2022, this year’s competition features new judges, a new rule, and a change to the voting procedure. It also offers an opportunity for the defending champion to make new history with a possible three-peat.

“Our contest has grown each year and the designs we receive get better every year. It’s really exciting having big brands like Coca-Cola and Molson Coors competing against smaller craft breweries on a level playing field,” says Jeanie Morris, digital marketing coordinator for INX International Ink Co. “This contest is all about the creativity, and we feel fortunate to celebrate our customers’ craftsmanship in this way.”

Great Lakes Brewing Company certainly knows how to celebrate. It won the title in 2021 and repeated last year with their TropiCoastal Tropical IPA beer can design. Great Lakes Brewing Company will likely participate again this year, and all entries must be postmarked by May 31 to be eligible. Applicants will be required to send their submission form, electronic design, and actual printed cans.

The rule change for this year’s contest is two INX colors must be used in the final can design. Only one color from the INX Color Catalog was necessary in the past. Regarded as the only true color standard for metal decorating, the catalog contains over 600 removable color metal swatches and helps reduce lead times in getting labels to market quicker.

The independent panel of judges responsible for reviewing all the entries and determining the five design finalists has been shortened from six to five. The reinstatement of public voting via INX’s Facebook page and other social media outlets will count as one vote, says Morris.

“The excitement we received previously on Facebook allowed everyone to get involved in the contest. When we decided to have six judges do the voting last year, we really missed all the social engagement,” she indicates. “Instead of having the voting exclusive to Facebook, we will use a survey link across all social media channels.”

This year’s panel of judges includes two holdovers and three newcomers. Sarah Jacks, INX International’s color perfection manager, and Scott Drucker, managing partner of Chicago-based marketing agency, The Drucker Group, are the returnees.

The three representatives from the brand design, color and printing communities include: Alex Fordham, owner of The Metal Packager magazine in London; Janet Johanson, founder and CEO of BevSource, an integrated provider of beverage development, sourcing and production solutions in St. Paul, MN; and Marshall Thompson, the co-founder of Canworks, a digital aluminum can printing company based in Austin, TX.

The judges will determine the five finalists based on originality, overall design aesthetics, best use of the color palette, and the project statement explaining how the INX Color Catalog was key to the design. Their selections will be announced on June 12; judge and Facebook voting will be held June 14-16. The winner will be announced on June 22 via the INX website and social media platforms.