The Best Dutch Book Designs

De Best Verzorgde Boeken (The Best Dutch Book Designs) is a Dutch foundation and annual competition that honours the finest products of the Dutch graphic industry. Each year, a professional jury selects 33 books that stand out for the combination of excellent design and commissioning with high-quality lithography, printing and binding. The selection process takes place at the end of January, following submissions in December, with the announcement in March. The chosen books are then documented in a catalogue designed and produced for that year's selection, and exhibited at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam in the autumn. The exhibition subsequently travels to various locations in the Netherlands and abroad. The initiative has a long history stretching back to 1926, making it Europe's oldest such annual selection. It has not run continuously; three distinct periods are recognised: 1925–32, 1948–71, and from 1986 to the present. The first selection, known as the keurcollectie (choice collection), was an initiative of the Nederlandsch Verbond van Boekenvrienden (NVB) and in particular the designer S.H. de Roos. Over the decades the event has evolved, and since 2016 a student jury has been added alongside the professional jury. Six young apprentice designers from ArtEZ (Arnhem), Gerrit Rietveld Academy (Amsterdam), HKU (Utrecht), KABK (The Hague) and Minerva (Groningen) choose their own selection and create a catalogue, which is included in the Stedelijk Museum exhibition. The Best Dutch Book Designs is more than a prize; it is a platform for promoting Dutch book design and production internationally. Recent activities include an exhibition in Korea at the Hyundai Card Art Library, and the Golden Letter, the highest international distinction in book design, has been awarded to a Dutch graduation project for the third time in a row. The organisation is led by a director; Esther Scholten, the much-loved director, passed away in July 2026. The foundation continues to celebrate and inspire new generations of designers and makers.

The Best Dutch Book Designs (De Best Verzorgde Boeken) is Europe's oldest annual selection of exemplary book productions, with a history that stretches back to 1926. The initiative began as the keurcollectie (choice collection), a selection of the fifty best-produced books in the Netherlands, organised by the Nederlandsch Verbond van Boekenvrienden (NVB) and driven in particular by the designer S.H. de Roos. This first period ran from 1925 to 1932. After an interruption, the selection was revived for a second period from 1948 to 1971. A third, continuous period began in 1986 and continues to the present day. Over the decades, the format and scope of the selection evolved. The event became a cornerstone of the Dutch graphic industry, recognising not only designers but also the printers, lithographers and binders whose craft brings books to life. The jury assessment takes place at the end of January, following submissions in December, and the results are announced in March. A catalogue is designed and produced for each year's selection, and the chosen books are exhibited at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam in the autumn, where the catalogue is presented. The exhibition then travels to various venues in the Netherlands and abroad. A significant development came in 2016, when a student jury was established alongside the professional jury. Six young apprentice designers from leading Dutch art academies—ArtEZ (Arnhem), Gerrit Rietveld Academy (Amsterdam), HKU (Utrecht), KABK (The Hague) and Minerva (Groningen)—choose their own selection of books and create a catalogue. Their selection is included in the Stedelijk Museum exhibition, helping to inspire new generations of designers. In recent years, the foundation has expanded its international reach. The first international exhibition of The Best Dutch Book Designs 2025 took place at the Hyundai Card Art Library in Korea. The Golden Letter, the highest international distinction in book design, has been awarded to a Dutch graduation project for the third time in a row. The organisation is led by a director; Esther Scholten, the much-loved director, passed away on 28 July 2026 after cardiac arrest. The foundation continues its mission to celebrate and promote excellence in Dutch book design and production.

• 2026

  Esther Scholten, director, passes away on 28 July.

• 2025

  The Best Dutch Book Designs 2025 selection; first international exhibition at Hyundai Card Art Library, Korea.

• 2016

  Student jury established alongside the professional jury, with participation of ArtEZ, Gerrit Rietveld Academy, HKU, KABK and Minerva.

• 1986

  Third, continuous period begins and continues to the present.

• 1971

  End of the second period.

• 1948

  Second period begins (1948–71).

• 1932

  End of the first period (1925–32).

• 1926

  First keurcollectie (choice collection) of the fifty best-produced books in the Netherlands, initiated by the Nederlandsch Verbond van Boekenvrienden (NVB) and designer S.H. de Roos.

Europe's oldest annual book design competition, celebrating and promoting excellence in Dutch graphic design, printing and binding.

• Annual selection of 33 books

  The core product: a juried selection of 33 books that exemplify great design combined with high-quality lithography, printing and bindings.

• Annual catalogue

  A catalogue designed and produced for each year's selection, presented at the Stedelijk Museum exhibition.

• Student jury selection and catalogue

  Since 2016, six apprentice designers choose their own selection and create a catalogue, included in the Stedelijk Museum exhibition.

• Travelling exhibitions

  The selected books are exhibited at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and then at various locations in the Netherlands and abroad.

1. 1De Best Verzorgde Boeken official websitedebestverzorgdeboeken.nl
2. 2About - De Best Verzorgde Boekendebestverzorgdeboeken.nl
3. 3Wikidata entry for De Best Verzorgde Boekenwikidata.org