“She’s wearing too much glitter”, said no one ever. House of Cards is proud to support the Greeting Card Trade for over 30 years and delighted to be a sponsor of the Henries.
The very best of luck to all the finalists.
The Mardi Gras theme is perfect for The Henries, with the UK greeting card industry abundant in colour, vibrancy and inspiration. You only need to look at the finalists boards to see what a wondrous extravaganza of creativity UK greeting card publishers bring to the party.
And there are plenty of great sparkling performers who have helped make this year’s Henries event possible.
Firstly, there are the 100 retail judges who willingly gave up so much of their precious time to judge the 2,000 greeting card ranges that were entered.
And secondly our loyal sponsors, many being specialist suppliers who do so much to create the great ranges that have reached the finals.
Tonight we can fluff up our tail feathers, embrace the vibe, put worries to one side and celebrate together at our industry’s exuberant carnival.
We hope you have a great evening…
Jakki Brown, Warren Lomax, Tracey Arnaud, Tracey Bearton and Clare Hollick
Extra hugs are in order for The Art File, Windles Group and GF Smith who worked together to create and produce the tickets; Redback Cards for the sparkling menus; House of Cards for the Glitter Station and fun props; N Smith for producing the selfie wall and Ohh Dear for arranging Ruby Violet to join the party.
Comedian and entertainer, Pippa Evans is our host for The Henries 2023. A true maestro of improvisation, Pippa is a founder member of Olivier Award-winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical and has performed with the troupe across the UK and internationally. She is a regular guest on BBC Radio 4 programmes including The Now Show, Just A Minute, and The Unbelievable Truth and a core member of the official I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue national tour.
With TV credits including Tonight At The Palladium, Pippa has performed multiple criticallyacclaimed solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and across the world, including at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and her book Improv Your Life is published by Hodder Studio.
“C’mon let me take you to the Mardi Gras,” sang Paul Simon, well now it’s our turn to embrace the upbeat vibe of the Mardi Gras carnival with The Henries 2023.The Henries 2023 are annual awards
To find out more about The Light Fund go to
www.thelightfund.org
Every single penny from tonight’s raffle will go to The Light Fund, our industrywide registered charity.
Set up in 2004, since its inception, The Light Fund has now raised over £2 million and funded well over 200 charity projects helping men, women and children less fortunate than ourselves, all over the world.
Kindly donated by Woodmansterne
Luxuriate at any of the eight delectable boutique hotels in The Pig Group with a £300 voucher to use as you wish. Whether you fancy frolicking by the sea, relishing the rural delights or lapping up city culture, you are spoilt for choice with these wonderful establishments, revered for their culinary delights.
Kindly donated by Alpha Colour Printers
You can spoil yourself selecting from Jo Malone’s fabulous array of wonderful fragrances, scented candles and other fragrant treats with a £250 voucher to spend on your own sweet smell of success.
Tickets 6 for £20 3 for £10
Kindly donated by Enveco Book yourself the best seats in the house for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour or any stage show you fancy for that matter, or see your fave band in concert or be there at a top sporting event with £250 of Ticketmaster vouchers to use as you wish.
Kindly donated by Createvents
Take your pick at any of the fantabulous restaurants in The Ivy Group. With £250 at your disposal, you can go for it with a romantic champagne dinner or invite some friends and share the joy.
Kindly donated by Sherwood Group
You can shake up your cocktail menu, top up your wine racks and fill up your drinks cabinet with £250 of Majestic Wine vouchers to spend on whatever tipples take your fancy.
Kindly donated by Rosie Trow
Get away from it all with a four night stay in a luxury lodge on the south Cornish coast.
You can lap up the views of the sea from the comfort of this plush three bedroomed accommodation between Gorran Haven and Caerhays (certain date restrictions apply).
Kindly donated by LB Warehousing
Fluff up your tail feathers, spruce up your home or indulge in the latest beauty products with a shopping splurge at John Lewis, with £250 to spend on whatever takes your fancy.
Kindly donated by Loxleys
Let the pressures of life melt away, with a relaxing and luxurious spa getaway with a £250 Spabreaks.com voucher to spend at any of the 700 spa destinations in the UK and overseas.
Kindly donated by Paperlink
Follow your own sense of style with £250 to spend at any of the glamorous Anthropologie emporiums which are crammed full of delectable clothes and homewares.
Kindly donated by Carte Blanche Greetings
Get up close to the wonders of culinary superstar Rick Stein. You can enjoy a lavish Lobster Thermidor meal at home, go to cookery school or eat drink and be merry with a £250 voucher to spend on all things in the Rick Stein carnival of treats.
The UK greeting card industry has a lot to thank a certain Victorian philanthropist, inventor and culturist who went by the name of Henry Cole. Not only did he introduce the first ever commercially produced Christmas card – 180 years ago! – but was also a pioneer of the Penny Post (which safeguarded a quick and efficient postal service) and was director of the V&A Museum which remains a source of inspiration of many of today’s greeting card creatives.
With these ‘claims to fame’ he was the ideal namesake of the greeting card industry’s product awards - The Henries.
It was back in 1843, finding himself too busy to write letters to all his acquaintances at Christmas time, that Henry Cole, commissioned his friend, John Calcott Horsley, a British narrative painter to design a card.
This significant Christmas card features a central hand-coloured image of a family party in progress, above the greeting ‘A merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You’ and is flanked by two much simpler images of the poor being tended.
A batch of 1,000 of the cards - only 5” x 3” in size and postcard format - were printed on a lithograph stone and then hand-coloured by a professional colourer.
Henry sent some of the cards to his family and friends including his personal messages of goodwill for the festive season, but the remainder of the cards he sold through a stationers shop in London’s Old Bond Street for one shilling (5p) each.
There are now only be around only 10 of the original 1,000 Henry Cole cards in existence - many of the cards were destroyed by the puritans of the day – known as Muggletonians - as the image depicted children drinking wine, which was considered inappropriate to Victorian sensibilities.
Thankfully, one of the original cards is safe and not too far away! In December 2005 one of original cards (that was sent to a Miss Tripsack, a close friend of the poetess Elizabeth Barrett-Browning) came up for auction at an obscure auction house in Devizes in Wiltshire. The auctioneer, Alan Aldridge, kept a promise that he had made to PG’s Jakki Brown that he would not publicise the card being up for auction to the American market. (A card Sir Henry had sent to his grandmother had been sold via the same auction house to a private US investor only a few years previously, for £22K).
Determined to safeguard this precious treasure of UK greeting card history and keep it within the nation, PG’s Jakki Brown was successful in her bid for this very special Christmas card.
Sir Henry’s legacy continues strongly, with hundreds of card publishers, thousands of retailers and a strong band of dedicated suppliers perpetuating the wonderful habit of buying and sending greeting cards that are reverred throughout the world.
Above: This 180 year old 5” x 3” piece of cardboard represents an important part of our cultural heritage – the world’s first commercially produced Christmas cards that was introduced by Sir Henry Cole back in 1843. This card, from the initial 1,000 batch, was sent to Miss Tripsack, a close friend of the poetess Elizabeth Barrett-Browning and is now owned by PG’s Jakki Brown.
Above: Alan Aldridge, principal auctioneer of Henry Aldridge & Sons, Devizes, with the Henry Cole card as it went under the hammer.
Left: PG’s Jakki Brown fulfilled a dream by successfully bidding for one of the few remaining examples of the world’s first commercially produced Christmas cards.
Below: Sir Henry Cole was the director of the V&A which remains a source of inspiration for many
The Henries awards are the ultimate accolades in greeting card design, attracting entries from almost 300 different greeting card publishers for the 19 product categories. Here we explain the two stage judging process, involving over 100 retailers, to arrive at the finalists and winners of The Henries 2023.
“Publishers’ engagement with The Henries 2023 was at an unprecedented level this year, with 287 greeting card publishers having entered, from established leading brands to brand new startups, collectively showcasing our industry’s incredible creative prowess,” commented Jakki Brown, managing director of Max Publishing, which owns and organises The Henries. “Likewise, the two-stage judging process we adopted for the second year in succession has seen more retail buyers than ever casting their votes, both online and in person to arrive at the finalists and winners,” she added.
As ever, The Henries were free to enter, making them accessible to all publishers, from teeny-tinies through to the giants. As in 2022, this year there was a two-stage judging process for The Henries product award categories. The first round took place entirely online, which saw a judging panel of over 65 retailers cast votes to arrive at a shortlist. There were 15 shortlisted ranges in the vast majority of the product categories. These shortlisted ranges as well as all of the submissions for The Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer or Artist category featured at a physical judging event (which was held on August 1 at London’s Business Design Centre) with a judging panel comprising some 35 retail buyers, considering the actual greeting cards and giftwrappings and casting their votes to arrive at the finalists and winners for The Henries 2023.
l Jane Armour, owner of Jane Armour Trading, Taunton
l Hannah Arthur, buyer’s assistant of cards and stationery of WHSmith
l Penny Bailey, owner of Bailey’s, Ainsdale, Crosby and Maghull
l Anne Barber, owner of In Heaven at Home, Market Harborough.
l Jo Barber, owner of No.14 Ampthill, Ampthill.
l John Barratt, director of The Card Centre, Felixstowe.
l Roy Beswick, partner of The Card Collection, East Molesey
l Jason Billings-Cray, buyer of John Lewis and Waitrose
l Debbie and Jerry Brown, co-owners of First Class Greetings and Plum Green, Hadleigh.
l Louise Chambers, buyer of cards, gift wrap and celebrations WHSmith Travel
l Megan Douglas, buyer of cards and wrap for Waterstones.
l Charlotte Green, buyer of Card Factory
l Cathy Frost, owner of LoveOne, Ipswich
l Emma Hawkins, buyer for Fortnum & Mason.
l Tori Heath-Smith, buying manager for Scribbler
l Kayleigh Hisim, owner of Milford Cards & Gifts, Milford on Sea
l Sarah Holmes, owner of Pencil Me In, Elgin
l Steve Howe, owner of Petworth Bookshop, Petworth.
l Mark Janson-Smith, director of Postmark.
l Vicky Joshi, assistant new formats buyer for London of Card Factory
l Aga Marsden, owner of Highworth Emporium, Highworth
l Sally Matson, owner of Red Card, Petworth.
l Julianne Moore, director of MiMi, Hartley Wintney and Wokingham
l Nilou Noorbaksh, co-owner of Jumping Bean, Beckenham, East Dulwich and Honor Oak
l Andrea Pinder, managing director of Presentation Cards & Gifts, Barrowford.
l Andrew Reid, manager for The Card Centre, Felixstowe
l Tim Reynolds, manager of The Medici Gallery, Kensington
l Gemma Smith, buying manager of Tesco
l Mary Singleton-Jones, owner of Panda Cards, St Albans
l Jo Sorrell, owner of Cardies, Stevenage
l Ruth Taylor, buying assistant of Scribbler
l Kaye Thurgood, owner of Sincerely Yours
Hornchurch and Shenfield
l Nigel Williamson, co-owner of House of Cards
l Ruth Young, retired card buyer of Clintons
Top: A cheers from the judging panel and PG team at The Henries’ physical judging event. Right: The judging in action, with the shortlisted ranges displayed in their categories.
Open to: This special award category recognises and rewards the wealth of young creative talent that we have in the UK. This award is open to all designers and artists (employed by a publisher or freelance) aged 35 years or under on 1 July 2023.
Rosie Bennett, in-house designer for Paper Salad
“I am 34 years old, live in greater Manchester and have been designing greeting cards, bags and wrap for Paper Salad for the past four years.
Although I don’t have a design background, I have always been creative in all aspects of day-to-day life, which helped me be considered for a job I absolutely love! Before designing for Paper Salad, I have had various creative job roles including visual merchandising for a large High Street store and illustrating designs for a small t-shirt company. Since designing greeting cards, I have learnt so much about all aspects of designing and I am still learning new things every day. I draw inspiration for my work daily through things like fashion and art and I am a huge lover of patterns and colour! So, as you can imagine working for a colourful company like Paper Salad is the dream. I love knowing that people use my designs to share news and messages of love, to make someone else smile.”
Stephanie Davies, founder and designer for Stephanie Davies
“I began my career as a head in-house designer in the craft sector, where I designed greeting cards and surface patterns for paper pad collections. I decided to take the leap and create my own business after leaving my first design role, designing greeting card ranges under my own brand.
I like to keep my style timeless and nostalgic, and I have a very keen eye for detail. I make sure each card has as much love and attention as my original paintings and drawings.
I truly love what I do and love immersing myself in the little characters and objects I create. I realise every day how lucky I am to have this incredible job in such an inspiring industry."
Category Sponsor
in alphabetical order
l Rosie Bennett in-house designer for Paper Salad
l Stephanie Davies founder and designer for Stephanie Davies
l Georgi Doig founder and designer for Lil Wabbit
l Nicole Elders founder and designer of Nicole Elders
l Esme Lintin in-house designer for Woodmansterne Publications
l Hannah Marchant founder and designer for Hannah Marchant
l Lottie Murphy founder and designer for Lottie Murphy
l Sophie Thorne in-house designer for GBCC
“We launched our small business in 2020 when my grandmother passed away and I inherited her watercolour paints and began drawing for the very first time. Lil wabbit was built from our London flat, cards taking over every drawer and wardrobe… three years on lil wabbit is now our family business run out of our studio in West Sussex.
Before the pandemic I worked in the film industry and hadn’t picked up a paint brush since year 9! I think it’s this lack of a formal art education that has allowed me to have an unrestricted approach to my work and produce designs that stand apart. In the last three years I have designed hundreds of cards, hailed by customers and retailers across the country for their unique and distinctive style.
Our most popular collection to date has been our StreetVet Christmas collaboration - a range featuring illustrations of real dogs living on the streets of the UK with owners who are currently experiencing homelessness. The back of the cards tell the story of the animal and how they have been helped by StreetVet. Each dog has experienced varying levels of care, from emergency lifesaving operations to routine vaccinations, warm coats, blankets and cuddles. We couldn’t have been prouder to have donated £8,000 to StreetVet last year.
I love making cards and am so thrilled to be a part of this industry.”
Nicole Elders, founder and designer of Nicole Elders
“I hold an MEng degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the University Southampton and have been working as an aerospace engineer on aircraft engines for the last 12 years.
I love engineering, but calligraphy and design is my creative outlet.
While it may seem unusual for an engineer to be a designer and artist, the crossovers between engineering and art are long held. Just look at Leonardo DaVinci, a talented artist, draughtsman, mathematician, sculptor, engineer and inventor. I have always loved detailed engineering drawings because they are simultaneously beautiful, detailed and informative. As I developed my love and skill with calligraphy, I realised that I could apply this same approach to my art, and paint pictures with words, so that they too are beautiful and informative. My work is created to tell a story, stand back and see the picture, stand close to read the words. I love seeing the joy that my work brings to people. I love the creative outlet and challenge that card design can bring to me, many pieces taking days to produce.
Greeting cards are my everyday artwork. I love creating unique and meaningful designs, things people will want to keep.”
“My journey started as a young teen in Lincolnshire creating handmade cards and crafts for family and friends. Many business ideas later, ranging from jewellery to decoupage, I landed in Hertfordshire creating wall art from large scale abstracts to nursery illustrations for worldwide companies.
I now run my own part time illustration business where my designs are inspired by the patterns and colour of the natural world, the jewel tones of tropical habitats alongside the details of British wildlife and meadows.
Joining Woodmansterne has enabled me to explore new looser, more playful styles combining characters with punny typography.”
Hannah Marchant, founder and designer for Hannah Marchant
“I’m a greeting card publisher from the heart of the West Country. I have a passion to create greeting cards that are something a little bit different! Inspired by nature and sustainable resources I create ranges of biodegradable seed greeting cards. Once the card has been enjoyed it can be planted where it will grow as part of your garden. Not only are the cards compostable and eco-friendly, but as they grow they echo the good wishes of the loved ones who sent them. After gaining many years’ experience working within the print
industry I set up my little business six years ago and I am extremely proud of what it has become. I thoroughly enjoy being part of the greeting card world.”
“Finding a purpose for my love of drawing, I began illustrating cards from my London studio in 2018, following in the creative footsteps of my photographer father.
Celebrating timeless design through the combination of handdrawn illustration and modern day influences, I aim to recreate traditional artistic techniques, designing cards that can be enjoyed or kept for years to come.
I'm Inspired by much of life’s surroundings, from blooming florals to whimsical animals. Encompassing a hand-crafted feel, I love that every card has its own story before going on to play a part in someone else’s. From each unique and intricate detail I capture on paper, to marking a celebration or an occasion all over the world.”
“Growing up in a small village in the Wiltshire countryside was where my love of nature and painting first started. My family and I would frequently go for long walks at the weekend and I would collect flowers and leaves to paint. I remember many visits to our local garden centre during which I would scour through all the beautiful greeting cards, I never imagined that one day I would be so lucky to be painting and designing original artwork for these very cards.
After graduating from Loughborough University with a 1st class honours degree in Printed Textiles, I was thrilled to be offered a position at Designers Guild (DG) where I was responsible for artworking beautiful designs for luxury homewares and products including cushions, rugs and throws.
Following on from my five years at DG I was eager to find a new role where I could use my hand painting skills! I then secured a position as a Christmas decoration designer at Gisela Graham where I hand-painted original artwork and designed many collections of decorations.
Currently I have a very exciting role at the Great British Card Company where I develop hand drawn and painted card collections for all occasions! Nature very much inspires my work and I love to build layers of colour and texture into my designs.”
in alphabetical order
l Fantabulous Raspberry Blossom
l Gin & Frolics Rosie Made a Thing
l She Cinnamon Aitch
l Studio Blom Pigment
l Tipperleyhill Ink Tipperleyhill
l Two Finger Salute Heyyy Cards
l Gin & Frolics
l Fantabulous
l She
l Tipperleyhill
Open to: All greeting card ranges (humorous and non-humorous) that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023 that reflect diversity and inclusivity. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered. THE
l Two Finger Salute
THE SPECIALIST GREETINGS CARD PRINTER
Litho Print
Digital Print
Foiling
Embossing
Tel:01274531828
Die-cutting
Packing
Distribution
Email: info@herbertwalkers.co.uk
www.herbertwalkers.co.uk
Open to: All humorous greeting card ranges that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs which have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
in alphabetical order
l Brushed Issues Emotional Rescue
l Gin & Frolics Rosie Made a Thing
l Heard They're Absurd Bewilderbeest
l Holy Flaps Redback Cards
l Pina Colada Cath Tate Cards
l Stroke Me Rosie Made a Thing
l They Can Talk Woodmansterne Publications
l Heard They're Absurd
l Gin & Frolics
l Holy Flaps
Category Sponsor
l Pina Colada
l Stroke Me
l They Can Talk
Open to: All greeting card ranges that are published under licence (eg entertainment properties, brands or named artists) that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs which have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
l Bluey
in alphabetical order
l Bluey Danilo Promotions
l Cath Kidston Ohh Deer
l Emma Bridgewater
Woodmansterne Publications
l Heinz Tache
l Lucia Heffernan Pigment
l Snoopy Hype Associates
l Van Gogh Museum
Collection Origamo
l Emma Bridgewater
l Cath Kidston
l Heinz
Category Sponsor
l Lucia Heffernan
l Snoopy
l Van Gogh Museum Collection
Open to: All single Christmas card ranges that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs which have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
in alphabetical order
l Advent Calendar Greeting Card Collection Roger la Borde
l Christmas Collection Louise Mulgrew
l Paintworks James Ellis
l Paper Shakies James Ellis
l Pop-UP! Bauble Cards Poet and Painter
l Reflections Paperlink
l Paintworks
l
Collection
l Paper Shakies
Category Sponsor
l Pop-UP! BaubleCards
l Reflections
Open to: All Christmas boxes or packs that have been launched to UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. These can be branded, own brand or charity products.
in alphabetical order
l Candy Cane Christmas Boxes Five Dollar Shake
l Christmas Boxed Cards Laura Darrington Design
l Christmas Luxury Collection Ling Design
l Christmas Packs Stop the Clock Design
l Luxury Christmas Boxes The Art File
l Vista Christmas Box Sets Paper Salad
l Christmas Boxed Cards
l Candy Cane Christmas Boxes
l Christmas Luxury Collection
l Christmas Packs
l Luxury Christmas Boxes
l Vista Christmas Box Sets
Category Sponsor
Open to: All cute greeting card ranges that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs which have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
in alphabetical order
l A Daily Cloud Brainbox Candy
l Baby Betty Ginger Betty
l Bear The Art File
l Holly Maguire Stormy Knight
l Little Adventure Alljoy Design
l Safari Party Louise Mulgrew
l Baby Betty
l
l Bear
l Holly Maguire
Category Sponsor
l Little Adventure
l Safari Party
Open to: All contemporary ‘words and sentiments’ greeting card ranges that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
2023 Finalists
in alphabetical order
l Biodegradable Glitter Oh Squirrel
l Emosh
Emotional Rescue (in collaboration with Paper Salad)
l Gin & Frolics Rosie Made a Thing
l Inky Scripts Bexy Boo
l Quotes ‘n’ Quips Scentiment Gifts
l Words of Wisdom Dandelion Stationery
l Emosh
l Biodegradable Glitter
l Gin & Frolics
l Inky Scripts
Category Sponsor
l Quotes ‘n’ Quips
l Words of Wisdom
THE
Open to: All traditional ‘words and sentiments’ greeting card ranges that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
in alphabetical order
l Bonbi Forest Earlybird Designs
l Botanique Hallmark Cards
l Female Relations UK Greetings
l Flutter By Wishing Well Studios (CBG)
l Moments In Time Words 'n' Wishes
l Words & More Ginger Betty
l Botanique
l Flutter By
Category Sponsor
l Moments In Time
l Female Relations
l Words & More
Open to: All art (fine art, contemporary and illustrative, but not photographic) greeting card ranges that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
l Art Range Ohh Deer
in alphabetical order
l Globetrotter Stormy Knight
l London Calling Rocket68
l Matisse Paper Salad
l Paintworks James Ellis
l Safari Party Louise Mulgrew
l Globetrotter
l Art Range
l London Calling
l Paintworks
l Matisse
Category Sponsor
l Safari Party THE
Open to: All photographic greeting card ranges that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
in alphabetical order
l A Daily Cloud Brainbox Candy
l BBC Countryfile Abacus Cards
l Christian Vielar GBCC
l Loose Leashes Woodmansterne Publications
l Pretty As A Picture Wendy Jones-Blackett
l Rhian ApGruffydd Gruffpawtraits
l BBC Countryfile
l A Daily Cloud
l Pretty As A Picture
l Christian Vielar
l Loose Leashes
Category Sponsor
l Rhian ApGruffydd
THE
Open to: All greeting card ranges aimed at children that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
in alphabetical order
l Cheeky Chops Rosie Made a Thing
l Fantabulous Raspberry Blossom
l Jamboree Paper Salad
l Moji Redback Cards
l Monster Mash Stripey Cats
l Super Duper Stop the Clock Design
l Fantabulous
l Monster Mash
l Jamboree
Category Sponsor
l Moji
l Cheeky Chops
Open to: All greeting card ranges which demonstrate a current trend, be it in subject matter, terminology or production technique, that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
l Big Love
in alphabetical order
l Big Love Raspberry Blossom
l Fleurescent Paper Salad
l Hunky Dory Paper Salad
l I'mPressed Heyyy Cards
l Paper Raven Ricicle Cards
l Pink Lemon Stop The Clock Design
l Rock On The Art File
l Hunky Dory
l Fleurescent
l Paper Raven
l I'mPressed
Category Sponsor
l Rock On
l Pink Lemon
3D, Handmade or Hand-finished Range
3D, Handmade or Hand-finished Range
Open to: All greeting card ranges which are either completely handmade or include 3D or hand-finished elements, that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
Heinz
l Heinz Tache
in alphabetical order
l Is It Time To Celebrate? Paper Salad
l Message In A Bottle Alljoy Designs
l Mini Flora Collection Origamo
l Miniature World Alljoy Designs
l Peter Rabbit Baby Milestones
Pop Ups Cardology
l Stargazing Five Dollar Shake
Is It Time To Celebrate?
l Miniature World
l Message In A Bottle
l Mini Flora Collection
Category Sponsor
l Peter Rabbit Baby Milestones Pop Ups
l Stargazing
Open to: All non-humorous greeting card ranges aimed at male recipients that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
in alphabetical order
l I'mPressed Heyyy Cards
l Instant Classics Heyyy Cards
l Life In Pencil Pigment
l Mambo Woodmansterne Publications
l Max Machen Ohh Deer
l Words of Wisdom Dandelion Stationery
l Instant Classics
l I'mPressed
l Life In Pencil
l Words of Wisdom
THE
l Mambo
l Max Machen
Category Sponsor
Open to: All relations and/or occasions greeting card ranges that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
in alphabetical order
l Happy Days Stop the Clock Design
l Jamboree Paper Salad
l Occasions & Relations Collection
The Art File
l Stargazing Five Dollar Shake
l Stephanie Dyment Woodmansterne Publications
l Studio Blom Pigment
l Jamboree
l Stargazing
Category Sponsor
l Stephanie Dyment
l Occasions & Relations Collection
l Studio Blom
Accent Recycled is the most recent addition to the G . F Smith Collection: a natural white uncoated paper suitable for lithographic and digital printing.
Manufactured using 100% recycled fibre, Accent Recycled is FSC certified, acid-free and carbon balanced at source.
Truly versatile, it lends itself perfectly to Greeting Cards and envelopes, ranging from everyday printing to high-end work where image and colour reproduction are paramount.
Available in six weights, from 100gsm to 350gsm, it delivers excellent results and outstanding performance on press.
For further infomation, please get in touch greetings@gfsmith.com
gfsmith.com
@gfsmithpapers
@colorplan_papers
Request your Accent Recycled swatch here
Open to: All Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter and Father’s Day greeting card ranges that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023 could be entered. Entries had to be event-specific, ie Publishers submitted a separate entry for Valentine’s Day, a separate entry for Mother’s Day etc (a minimum of eight designs).
in alphabetical order
l Bloom Seedstick Mother’s DayStormy Knight
l Little Quirks Valentine’s DayLucilla Lavender
l Mine's A Pint Father's Day
Emotional Rescue (in collaboration with Paper Salad)
l Mother's Day Classic Collection
UK Greetings
l Quicksilver Easter Wendy Jones-Blackett
l You & Me Valentine’s Day Stop the Clock Design
l Little Quirks
Valentine’s Day
l Bloom Seedstick
Mother’s Day
l Mother's Day Classic Collection
Category Sponsor
l Quicksilver Easter
Mine's A Pint Father's Day
Valentine’s Day
« Same day order turnaround
« Accurate fulfilment
« Value added only as you sell the product
« Exclusively Greeting Cards
With an excellent reputation we work as an integral part of your team bringing much more than fulfilment. Our costing structure is simple and transparent.
We carry out all aspects of hand finishing and assembly and provide whatever additional services you need. Our select team of outworkers carefully hand wrap any size or format of cards urgently, Overnight!
We care about your product as much as you do. Attention to detail, QC Issues and IT supported by a comprehensive paper trail for all stock movements are our hallmarks. Our can do approach means we are happy to solve your problems.
Outsourcing your warehousing operation releases your time to CREATE/MARKET/SELL/
Your business is our business, please visit our web site and see what our customers say, then to find out more call Lynda Raymond and perhaps we can arrange to meet and discuss your needs I am sure that we can help.
Open to: All greeting card ranges sold via the wholesale distributor/cash & carry channel that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
in alphabetical order
l Embrace Kingfisher Cards
l Isabel's Garden Simon Elvin
l Nature's Art Simon Elvin
l Pixels Kingfisher Cards
l Studio Out of the Blue Studios
l Whoopie Simon Elvin
l Isabel's Garden
l Embrace
l Nature's Art
l Studio
l Pixels
Category Sponsor
l Whoopie
Open to: All giftwrapping ranges (either ranges of sheet wrap or collections of coordinated wrappings such as boxes, bags, ribbons etc) that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.
in alphabetical order
l Blooming Blush Deva Designs
l Flat Wrap Kali Stileman Publishing
l Gift Packaging 2023 Collection
The Art File
l Handcrafted Artisan Collection
Paper Mirchi
l Louise Mulgrew Glick Gift Packaging
l Paper Salad Glick Gift Packaging
l Flat Wrap
l Blooming Blush
l Gift Packaging
2023 Collection
l Handcrafted Artisan Collection
Category Sponsor
l Louise Mulgrew
l Paper Salad
Open to: This award is for ranges that have stood the test of time. All winners of this award enter The Henry Cole Hall of Fame. The 2023 winner will join previous winners, which are Bestie from Paperlink, The Bright Side from Really Good, Camilla & Rose from Peartree Heybridge, The Country Set from Wrendale Design, Eric the Penguin from GBCC, Forever Friends from Hallmark, Giggles from UKG, Ink Press from The Art File, Me to You from CBG, Medici Cards Blue Label from GBCC, On the Ceiling from Emotional Rescue, Pizazz from Nigel Quiney, Pop-Ups from Second Nature, Quentin Blake from Woodmansterne, Rainbow from Ling Design and Virtual Safari from Emotional Rescue.
Launched: 2008
“It has been 15 years since Boofle first launched at retail; a loveable pup created from Grandad’s old woolly cardi no less! The sustainability message behind his original creation is even more relevant today as we all focus more on reducing, re-using and recycling.
Boofle has continued to deliver impressive year on growth and 2023 is forecast to be his biggest and best year yet. To date he has sold more than 150 million cards and he consistently features in retailers’ best seller listings.
Arguably, Boofle’s greatest strength is his continued ability to express emotion and connection which is after all the essence of a great greeting card. He does this through the consistent warmth and individuality of his poses combined with lovely copy; in 15 years of design and patterning changes, he has retained what is most important - making people feel loved.”
Category Sponsor
l Boofle UK Greetings
in alphabetical order
l Norbert & Val Emotional Rescue
l One Lump or Two Holy Mackerel
l Paper Shakies James Ellis
l Photocaptions Cath Tate Cards
l Quicksilver Wendy Jones-Blackett
Launched: 1997
“First launched to retail in 1997 as 'Norbert (A nerd for the nineties)', this range, now known as Norbert & Val, has developed from a slightly quirky, off the wall brand, to a highly commercial humour range that is a bestseller across all sectors of the market.
Now, some 26 years on and it still contains some of the bestselling designs in our business today with over 120 designs across birthday/general, captions, Spring Seasons and Christmas.
We would love to see this range win a Henry Cole Classic award as a testament to one of our longest standing artists, Mike Edwards - the master of relatable humour and artwork.”
Launched: 2021
“After being approached by Erica Sturla with her fabulous designs we launched One Lump or Two as a range of 36 cards, never dreaming that 13 years later
it would have become a collection of over 550 cards, with Welsh and Polish language versions and a host of regional variations, from Falmouth to Dumfries!
The core of the range are the incredible figures created by Erica. In her own words: “When I first picked up a lump of polymer clay over 20 years ago, I knew it was love at first squeeze...At first, my polymer clay creations were tiny. I made two inch figures and stuck them to the fronts of greeting cards. Since these small beginnings, my figures have grown (a lot!) and now I use this amazing medium to craft detailed figures and set them in hand-painted scenes on canvas.”
The range is also known for the warm humour of the words, a collaboration between Erica and ourselves, covering a huge breadth of occasions, from cards for foster carers to 23rd anniversary cards, something for just about everyone!”.
Launched: 2008
“The Paper Shakies range is unique. Coloured confetti encapsulated within the cards so that you can shake them around, adds a fun, tactile dimension exclusive to the range. Bright, colourful borders, striking illustrations and designs with a beautiful handmade finish. All cards are plastic-free and 100% recyclable.
Shakies first came about over 16 years ago, when we experimented adding loose glitter and sequins to a cellophane inner bag that was then placed on top of an illustration and then concealed by a border. These proved very popular and the range continued to grow with great success. We were extremely excited in 2019 to introduce our first 100% recyclable range of Shakies cards we called Paper Shakies. Through extensive thought and research, we swapped the cellophane, glitter and sequins to produce a more environmentally-friendly range using translucent paper, card and paper confetti, all of which are completely recyclable, biodegradable and plastic-free.”
Launched: 1990s
“The Cath Tate Cards Photocaptions range continues to be popular in the UK and around the world with the familiar dose of Cath Tate’s witty and wise sense of humour. It has been going strong for more than 20 years, and now
includes over 600 designs, covering every occasion you can think of and many more hilarious and silly reflections on life and relationships!
Cath Tate first came up the idea of marrying an old Edwardian photograph with a modern humorous caption in the late 1990s, and today the Photocaptions range is still a bestselling range, ranking in the top selling humour cards for many independent shops and chains. The key to their longevity is that the range stays relevant and up-to-date with frequent new humorous topical additions.”
Launched: 2006
“Since 2006 we have revamped the Quicksilver range every year, keeping the same textured cream coloured board and envelope so that the cards can sit together as a collection. They have al ways been foiled and embossed although the 'look' has changed each year to give retailers something new - but the same!
In the past 12 months alone we have added 98 everyday designs, 36 Christmas and 26 spring. Our customers love them and look forward to our annual launches.”
Car dga ins , t he nat iona l buy ing gr oup f or inde pe nd ent r et ailer s, is proud to sp on sor t he aw ard for ‘Be st Ser vice t o t he In de pen de nt R et ailer ’ . G ood Lu ck t o al l t he finalis
Open to: This award recognises the pivotal role publishers play in providing a good service to independent retailers. The finalists in this category were arrived at as a result of an exhaustive poll, involving 1,750 independent greeting card retailers, who were each asked to nominate their top three card suppliers on the service front over the last year. These responses were then correlated, awarding three points to all first choices, two points to those mentioned as second choices and one point for all third choices. These points were then totalled to arrive as the 12 finalists. There are three awards in this category – a Bronze, Silver and ultimate Gold, that will be presented to the top three scoring suppliers in the retailer poll.
l Abacus Cards
l Alljoy Design
l The Art File
in alphabetical order
l Dandelion Stationery
l International Cards & Gifts (IC&G)
l Noel Tatt
l Ohh Deer
l Paperlink
l Pigment
l UK Greetings (UKG)
l Woodmansterne Publications
l Words ‘n’ Wishes
The Honorary Achievement Award is a very special accolade that is awarded to an individual in recognition of the contribution they have made to the UK greeting card industry. Nominations are sought for this award and no finalists are announced. Nominees can come from any aspect of the industry, including retailers, publishers, designers or suppliers.
Some of the previous winners of this award are…
2022 - Alan Harnik, founder of Notes & Queries
2021 - Paul Taylor, managing director of Cardzone
2020- Cath Tate, founder of Cath Tate Cards
2019 - Simon Elvin - co-founder of Simon Elvin, who received a special GCA Outstanding Contribution award.
2018 - Ged Mace, managing director of The Art File
2017 - Rod Schragger and Trevor Schragger, co-owners of Second Nature
2016 - Gary Rowley, former ceo of UK Greetings
2015 - John and Jennie Procter, co-founders of Scribbler
2014 - Louise Tighe, founder of Paperlink
2013 - Beth Genower and Matt Genower, co-founders of Five Dollar Shake
2012 - Lynn Tait, former owner of The Lynn Tait Gallery and founder of The Ladder Club - sadly now deceased
2011 - Giles Andreae, creator of Purple Ronnie, Edward Monkton and co-creator of Happy Jackson
2010 - Timothy Melgund, former chief executive of Paperchase
2009- Keith Auty, former marketing director of UK Greetings
2008- Mike Bugler, former managing director of Clinton Cards
- Dennis Podmore, former chairman of Windles - sadly now deceased
2007- Debbie Lewin and Clinton Lewin, former directors of Clinton Cards
2006- Chris Dyson, former joint managing director of Cardgains buying group
2005- Duncan Spence, business angel with an investment in Carte Blanche Greetings and Moonpig
- Stephen Haines, founder of Carte Blanche Greetings
2004- Peter Reichwald, founder of The Great British Card Company
2003- John Charlton, former chief executive of UKG and senior vice president of American Greetings
- Stuart Mackay, former managing director of UKG and Birthdays, former chairman of Paper Rose and former director of Simon Elvin
2002- William McCracken, a former GCA special advisor, former managing director of Ling Design and founder of one of the four first specialist card chains
- Paul Woodmansterne, chairman of Woodmansterne Publications
2001 - Simon Elvin, co-founder of Simon Elvin
2000- Andrew Brownsword, founder of Andrew Brownsword Collection and former owner of Gordon Fraser
1999 - John Condon and George Pomphret, former directors of Clinton Cards
1998 - Don Lewin OBE, founder and former chairman of Clinton Cards
1997 - David Hicks, founder of Really Good and Soul, now sadly deceased
1996 - Stewart Stott, former owner of Nigel Quiney Publications, awarded posthumously
Thursday 5 October 2023 Royal Lancaster London
Progressive Greetings
Max Publishing United House North Road London N7 9DP
T: 020 7700 6740
W: www.thehenriesawards.co.uk
Programme exquisitely printed by MethodUK, supporters of The Henries 2023
T: Matthew Payne on 020 7691 0921 E: matt@thisismethod.co.uk
