{"id":3465,"date":"2026-10-08T15:06:47","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T07:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.oryggisblod.com\/blog\/?p=3465"},"modified":"2026-10-08T15:06:47","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T07:06:47","slug":"can-i-participate-in-stone-paper-series-contests-44ff-723df9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.oryggisblod.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/08\/can-i-participate-in-stone-paper-series-contests-44ff-723df9\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I participate in Stone Paper Series contests?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Hey there! Let\u2019s cut to the chase\u2014if you\u2019re a Stone Paper Series supplier like me, you\u2019ve probably scrolled through those contest posts for the brand\u2019s latest campaigns, thinking, \u201cWait, can I actually enter this? I make exactly the kind of stuff they use.\u201d I\u2019ve been in your shoes, and I\u2019ve navigated this process a ton over the last three years since I started supplying them, so let\u2019s break this down like we\u2019re chatting over coffee (no corporate jargon, promise). First, let\u2019s get one thing straight: the Stone Paper Series isn\u2019t just for random hobbyists or big-box conglomerates\u2014they actually want suppliers like you to join in. But there are rules, and skipping them is how you end up with a \u201centry rejected\u201d email that makes you want to delete the whole thing. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yihaiplastic.com\/stone-paper\/\">Stone Paper Series<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.yihaiplastic.com\/uploads\/48315\/small\/laminated-corrugated-plastic-layer-padsb6c97.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>I remember my first time trying to join a contest two years back. I rushed through the fine print, sent in a blurry pic of my factory\u2019s warehouse floor and a generic \u201cwe make stone paper rolls\u201d pitch, and got a polite email back that said they only work with suppliers that meet their specific volume and material standards. I was bummed at first, but then I dug deeper, talked to their procurement rep at a trade show, and realized I\u2019d missed like 80% of the requirements. Let me walk you through what actually counts as a valid entry as a supplier, no fluff.<\/p>\n<p>First off, eligibility basics: you have to be an official, registered supplier for the Stone Paper Series\u2019 core product line. Wait, no\u2014before you panic, that doesn\u2019t mean you have to be a 10-year exclusive partner. They let in newer suppliers too, but you have to have a track record of delivering consistent, test-certified stone paper products. The key here is \u201ctest-certified\u201d\u2014a lot of new suppliers just say their paper is waterproof and tear-resistant, but the Stone Paper Series requires third-party lab results (think ASTM or ISO specs) to prove it. That first entry of mine didn\u2019t have that, and it showed. Also, they only work with suppliers that operate within regions they distribute to\u2014so if you\u2019re in a tiny country with no local Stone Paper Series stockists, your entry will get pushed to the bottom of the pile. I\u2019ve seen that happen to a buddy of mine who supplies in a remote Southeast Asian nation; even though his product is top-tier, the contest team said logistical support would be a nightmare, so he\u2019s waiting for their next regional expansion.<\/p>\n<p>Now, what contests are open to suppliers specifically? A lot of people think all their contests are for designers or influencers, but no\u2014they run two main supplier-focused contests a year, plus sometimes pop-ups for specific projects. The first one is the \u201cSustainable Innovation Contest\u201d in the spring, which is all about new stone paper formulations or production methods. Last year, a small supplier in Brazil won this by switching their production to run on 100% solar power, and they now supply the Stone Paper Series\u2019 entire Latin American line. The other big one is the \u201cRetail Partnership Challenge\u201d in the fall, where you pitch a unique way to package or display Stone Paper Series products that uses your paper. I entered that one last year with a display rack idea that was made from scrap stone paper, and even though I didn\u2019t win, they used parts of my design in their holiday line\u2014so it\u2019s worth entering even if you don\u2019t take home the grand prize.<\/p>\n<p>Wait, but here\u2019s a mistake I see new suppliers make all the time: thinking \u201cparticipating\u201d just means submitting a product. No way. The Stone Paper Series wants to see how you\u2019ll add value to their brand, not just how good your paper is. Let\u2019s break down what they actually look for in entries. For the Innovation Contest, they don\u2019t care about a 10-page thesis on your formula\u2014they want a 2-minute video (shot on your phone, no fancy equipment needed) that shows what makes your product different, plus a 1-page summary of the third-party test results and a sample of your paper. For the Retail Challenge, they want a sketch or mockup of your display, plus a breakdown of how it reduces waste and costs\u2014simple stuff, no corporate jargon. I learned this when I re-entered the Innovation Contest last year; instead of rambling about my production costs, I made a quick video showing my factory\u2019s solar panels and a side-by-side of my old carbon footprint vs. the new one, and my entry got a second look from the judges.<\/p>\n<p>Another big question: can I enter if I\u2019m a secondary supplier, not a primary one? Like, I supply rolls to a company that makes notebooks, which then sells to the Stone Paper Series. The answer is yes, but you have to get a letter of support from the company that uses your product. The Stone Paper Series doesn\u2019t want to deal with suppliers that are disconnected from the final product, so that letter proves you\u2019re actually part of the supply chain for their goods. My buddy who supplies printing inks to a notebook manufacturer that works with Stone Paper Series entered last year, and that letter was the reason he got shortlisted\u2014without it, his entry would\u2019ve been tossed.<\/p>\n<p>Now, let\u2019s talk about the do\u2019s and don\u2019ts, because these are non-negotiable. Do make sure all your paperwork is up to date\u2014tax docs, supplier registration, test results, everything. Last year, a supplier in Germany got disqualified because their test results were six months old; you have to get them redone within the last 90 days, no exceptions. Don\u2019t lie about your volume or certifications\u2014 the contest team checks, and I\u2019ve seen suppliers get blacklisted for exaggerating their production numbers. Also, don\u2019t send generic pitches. Personalize it! Mention a specific Stone Paper Series product you like, or a way your material could improve that product. When I entered the Retail Challenge last year, I wrote a line about how their waterproof journal line could use my tear-resistant paper for the cover, and that little detail stuck with the judges\u2014even though my display idea wasn\u2019t perfect, that personal touch got their attention.<\/p>\n<p>Wait, what about small suppliers? I\u2019ve seen a lot of people say \u201cI only have a 5-person factory, can I enter?\u201d and the answer is a resounding YES. The Stone Paper Series doesn\u2019t just want big factories\u2014they want innovative, sustainable suppliers that might not be on every retailer\u2019s radar yet. The Brazil supplier I mentioned earlier had a factory of 12 people when they won the Innovation Contest. The only catch is you have to prove you can meet the contest\u2019s minimum order requirement\u2014usually around 5,000 units, which is totally doable for a small supplier if you plan ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Now, let\u2019s get to the part you actually care about: how to get started. The first step is to check the Stone Paper Series\u2019 supplier portal\u2014they post contest dates and eligibility requirements there, and it\u2019s the only official place to submit entries (avoid third-party sites, they\u2019re scams). Next, gather your docs: third-party test results, supplier registration, any letters of support if you\u2019re a secondary supplier, and your sample or mockup. Then, put together your entry in the format they ask for\u2014no longer than 2 minutes for videos, no more than 1 page for summaries, keep it simple. One pro tip I picked up: tag their social media accounts when you post your submission link, and mention a specific team member (like the head of supplier relations) in your message\u2014 it makes your entry stand out from the hundreds they get every contest.<\/p>\n<p>I know it\u2019s easy to overthink this, but honestly, the biggest mistake suppliers make is not trying at all. I\u2019ve had friends who waited a year to enter because they thought their product wasn\u2019t \u201cgood enough,\u201d and by that time, the contest deadline was past. The Stone Paper Series is always looking for new suppliers\u2014they care about sustainability, quality, and reliability, not how big your factory is. If you have a valid product, test results, and a pitch that shows you can add value, you\u2019ve got a shot.<\/p>\n<p>Wait, let\u2019s address one last worry: what if I don\u2019t win? Is participating even worth it? 100% yes. Even if you don\u2019t take home the grand prize, the Stone Paper Series usually sends feedback to all shortlisted suppliers, and a lot of them go on to get regular contracts with the brand. My second entry (the one that didn\u2019t win) got me a 6-month trial contract to supply custom paper for their limited-edition line\u2014 that\u2019s a huge win even if I didn\u2019t get the trophy. Last year, the supplier that won the Retail Challenge got a 2-year exclusive contract for their display design, and they\u2019ve since expanded to supply other regional markets. So it\u2019s not just about winning\u2014it\u2019s about getting your foot in the door.<\/p>\n<p>At the end of the day, participating in the Stone Paper Series contests as a supplier is totally doable, as long as you do your homework, follow the rules, and skip the generic pitches. It\u2019s not about being perfect\u2014it\u2019s about showing them you have something unique to offer that aligns with their values. If you\u2019re sitting here thinking \u201cI should enter but I\u2019m not sure,\u201d just do it. I\u2019ve seen too many great suppliers miss out because they overcomplicated things or waited too long.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.yihaiplastic.com\/uploads\/48315\/small\/corrugated-plastic-for-floor-protection8ca59.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re ready to learn more or get your entry started, the best next step is to reach out to the Stone Paper Series\u2019 procurement team to chat through your specific product and eligibility. They\u2019re super approachable, no stuffy corporate lines, and can answer any questions you have that the portal doesn\u2019t cover. Don\u2019t overthink it\u2014 the worst they\u2019ll say is \u201cno,\u201d and even that gives you a chance to adjust for the next contest.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yihaiplastic.com\/foldable-corrugated-plastic-box\/\">Foldable Corrugated Plastic Box<\/a> References:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Stone Paper Series Official Supplier Guidelines, 2024<\/li>\n<li>ASTM D751 Standard Test Methods for Coated Fabrics, 2023<\/li>\n<li>ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems Certification Requirements, 2022<\/li>\n<li>Sustainable Packaging Coalition Annual Report, 2023<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yihaiplastic.com\/\">Jiangsu Jianglin Yihai New Material Science &#038; Technology Co., Ltd.<\/a><br \/>Jiangsu Jianglin Yihai New Material Science &#038; Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional stone paper manufacturers and suppliers in China, also supports customized service. Please feel free to wholesale advanced stone paper for sale here and get free sample from our factory. For price consultation, contact us.<br \/>Address: <br \/>E-mail: sales@yihaiplastic.com<br \/>WebSite: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yihaiplastic.com\/\">https:\/\/www.yihaiplastic.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hey there! Let\u2019s cut to the chase\u2014if you\u2019re a Stone Paper Series supplier like me, you\u2019ve &hellip; <a title=\"Can I participate in Stone Paper Series contests?\" class=\"hm-read-more\" href=\"http:\/\/www.oryggisblod.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/08\/can-i-participate-in-stone-paper-series-contests-44ff-723df9\/\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Can I participate in Stone Paper Series contests?<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":219,"featured_media":3465,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3428],"class_list":["post-3465","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","tag-stone-paper-series-4576-7296c9"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.oryggisblod.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3465","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.oryggisblod.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.oryggisblod.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.oryggisblod.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/219"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.oryggisblod.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3465"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.oryggisblod.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3465\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.oryggisblod.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.oryggisblod.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3465"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.oryggisblod.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3465"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.oryggisblod.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3465"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}