Progressive Greetings September 2026

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Sept 2026 Issue New Releases Full Page.pdf

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Order Now for Dec delivery

NEW FOR 2027 A total of 32 New Velvet and Velvet Gallery titles in code 75 main relations. All brand new artwork and the usual JJ quality finishes!

Grandson & Granddaughter teen ages in dazzling NEON and a full release of main relations!

New Babies

About time we had a new Baby Collection! 19 new designs in code 75 and 60 for Baby, Christening and 1st birthday!

Occasions

A new collection of Occasions cards in code 60 in both our Signature and Velvet ranges!

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From The Editor

ON THE CARDS Right: All the wonderful “God only knows where I’d be without retail judges at The Henries you…” are lyrics from what ranks right up 2026 in-person judging with the PG teamsters. there in the love songs hit parade. This Below: This is not her last rodeo, but this edition memorable Beach Boys ballad (no marks the start of (left) apologies for it becoming your earworm Tracey Bearton’s official retirement from PG, for the next few hours!) prompted one of pictured here with editor Jakki Brown at last year’s the questions I asked the retailers who Retas awards. formed The Henries in-person Judging Panel about their guilty (or not so guilty) pleasures in life. While for Barkers’ Sarah Lishman it is watching FI on a Sunday afternoon for Sky’s Colette Foster it is the sniff of good quality printing, for House of Cards’ Miles Robinson it would be “doing LEGO while eating Maoams and drinking Montrachet” while for Objectables’ Tim Gould it would be, in no particular order, “cheese, knees and whippets”!

What is so wonderful is this broad reach of tastes and penchants was more than matched by the greeting card ranges, giftwrappings collections and designers’ boards that the panel scrutinised to come up with the worthy finalists and ultimate winners in The Henries 2026 awards.

Having been immersed in this glorious greeting card community for almost four decades now, I feel very lucky to have witnessed the meteoric rise of certain publishers who now have quite rightly earned some serious Henries silverware of trophies over the years. However, I also love it when brand new publishers, often entering The Henries for the first time, make it through to the finals alongside stalwarts and those getting into their stride. This was the case this year with several newbies, including Jenna Crush Illustration, Dotty Black, The Silver Hen, Sarah Willia Landscapes being in the product award finals and Beau Bohlke-Reading, the 16-

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year-old founder and designer of Zimbloo taking his rightful place in The Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer line-up.

Feast your eyes on all The Henries 2026 finalists on pages 34-77 as well as have a peek at the guilty pleasures of leading retailers plus what gets them in a froth about the industry on pages 29-31.

Just as it has always been our mission to make The Henries open to all (hence we do not charge for entry), The Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition has always been respected for its allembracing remit, allowing artists of all disciplines to submit their art for consideration.

An incredible 18,000 works were submitted this year from which the RA committee selected only 1,851 pieces to go on display in the exhibition. Among these was a fabulous piece by talented artist Paula Reece, who is also part of Woodmansterne’s design team – and her artwork had more ‘red dots’ than any other piece I saw! And this year’s Summer Exhibition took an Interconnected theme, how fitting is that?

Even more Good Vibrations!

PS This edition is the swansong for the lovely Tracey Bearton as news and features editor as she is retiring from the PG frontline, though I have hopefully persuaded her to write the odd editorial feature for me! She has been a wonderful ‘write hand woman’ for me… and God only knows where I will be without her!

Left: PG’s Jakki Brown was delighted to see so many red dot ‘purchase’ stickers for Woodmansterne artist Paula Reece’s The Importance of Being Idle at the RA’s Summer exhibition.

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CONTENTS 26

24

What’s Inside?

85

33

11-21 News

79-83 Innovations

All the latest happenings and developments in the trade.

A host of new ranges and designs, including many launching at the Autumn Fair and Top Drawer trade shows.

24-25 Over The Counter Is Shopping The Game Of Our Lives?

David Robertson, co-owner of JP Pozzi spent £86 on £20 worth of LEGO on Whatnot, but it opened his eyes on new retail.

26-27 Cardsharp On The Shopping List As the debate heats up again about the future of the UK’s struggling high streets, Cardsharp chucks in his two pennies.

28-31 Viewpoints Wouldn’t It Be Nice…

Surf was up as retail buyers who formed The Henries’ live judging panel revealed what gets them in a froth, their good vibrations and guilty pleasures.

33 The Henries’ Judging Process Casting Votes

85-87 Design Trend… Japan Turning Japanese As the appetite for Japanese stationery growing faster than sushi sales, PG greeting card publishers shared their zen thoughts on this strong design influence.

88-91 Licensing Focus Licence To Expand In the run-up to the fast-approaching Brand Licensing Europe show, PG looks at some of the licensing action in the greeting card field.

93 Art Source Kate’s Great With her designs in The Henries finals with Woodmansterne, artist Kate Rebecca Leach of Essoldo Design shares her creative journey.

94-95 What’s Hot?

Arriving at the finalists and winners for The Henries 2026 product categories.

A trio of retailers lift the lid on their best-selling ranges.

34-77 The Henries 2026 Finalists

96-103 Sources of Supply

See which ranges, designers and companies have made it into The Henries 2026 finals.

Subscribe to Progressive Greetings from £60 (UK) to £90 (International).

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Jakki Brown

Warren Lomax

Tracey Arnaud

Tracey Bearton

Editor/Joint Owner

Joint Owner

Sales Manager

Features Editor

Joint Owner

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Copyright© 2026. While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of publication, the publishers cannot accept legal liability for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for the standing of advertisers nor any organisation mentioned in the text. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.

Ian Hyder

PG is the official magazine for the Greeting Card Association GCA: Amanda Fergusson 020 7619 9266 Email: hello@gca.cards www.greetingcardassociation.org.uk

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Discover our fresh new launch of fabulous stationery, gifts, and cards. Featuring colour-by-number kits, mini jigsaws in a counter display unit, sparkling gel pens, and many more everyday creative products.

Get in touch: 0115 9700 321 sales@rachelellen.co.uk

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NEWS TOP STORY

Nigel Quiney/Paper Rose Combined Sales Team The Words ‘n’ Wishes sales team to continue as now Work is underway to create a combined sales team to represent Nigel Quiney Publications and Paper Rose.

This follows Words ‘n’ Wishes’ acquisition of the two heritage publishing businesses earlier this summer. The Words ‘n’ Wishes sales team, which also represents Emotional Rescue and Danilo in the independent sector, will be unaffected and will continue as now.

Rod Brown, who co-owns Words ‘n’ Wishes with his business partner Carl Salt, has set his sights on having the new sales structure for Nigel Quiney and Paper Rose in place by October 1, which he says will bring together “the best of the best” on the sales front. He however remains steadfast that each Below: Words ‘n Wishes’ co-owner Rod Brown (second left) on the Paper Rose stand at PG Live with (left-right), Perlina Pierre-Davis, who heads up the licensing and export, agent Steve Duncombe, studio manager Sarah Tanser-Frain and Words ‘n’ Wishes’ sales co-ordinator, Alison Traynor.

Above: The plan is to create a sales team to represent both Nigel Quiney Publications and Paper Rose.

of the brands will still retain their own design studio team.

Of the recent acquisitions and what they bring to the group, Rod described Paper Rose and Nigel Quiney as “two great brands” that he and Carl could immediately see the advantages of bringing into the Words ‘n’ Wishes ‘family’.

“The three publishing brands collectively add up to over £9 million and therefore as a group are stronger together, but we know that we need to keep each identifiable,” he said.

While there will inevitably be synergies, Rod reveals that there is a willingness to invest on the product front, both on the ‘crown jewels’, including Nigel Quiney’s Pizazz, as well as new ranges.

Wrendale helps blaze fundraising While many enjoyed the sunny days, wildfires caused by the tinder-dry conditions are causing huge problems across the UK, including at the National Trust’s Dunwich Heath nature reserve.

And Wrendale Designs’ founder Hannah Dale has stepped in with her artistic skills to help raise money and awareness for the National Trust’s work to restore and protect the area.

Known for her own conservation and Above: Hannah has created this original artwork environmental efforts at the family farm in to persuade people to donate.

Lincolnshire, Hannah said: “The Wrendale team and I have been heartbroken to see the devastating impact the recent fires have had on Dunwich Heath and its wildlife. Seeing this precious landscape scarred beyond recognition has affected us all, and we wanted to do something to help.”

She has created an original watercolour painting of birds and fauna from the heath and neighbouring RSPB Minsmere which has also been affected by the blaze, and also set up a JustGiving page to raise money for the National Trust. All those donating to the page are being entered into a draw with a name to be drawn at random to win the painting to keep.

WHSmith axes Curi.o.city stores, Postmark opens Three of the Curi.o.city gift, greetings, stationery and souvenir stores are being closed by owner WHSmith just three years after the brand was Above: The Curi.o.city St launched.

Pancras store is no longer.

Below: Postmark sharing The closures at St the news.

Pancras Station in London and Gatwick Airport’s north and south terminals will leave the retailer with just four of the stores in the UK aimed at offering a more upmarket curated range than the traditional WHS shops.

But the tradition of a greeting card store in St Pancras will stay. WHS took over the site after the collapse of Paperchase and now it’s due to become the latest in the Postmark retail chain.

Henderson’s celebrations Down Under

There were some special birthday cards around Henderson Greetings recently as the Australian publisher and distributor kicked off the celebrations of the company’s own 75th anniversary. The founder’s granddaughter Eulinid Stevenson, who is now CEO and managing director, said: “It kicked off the first of many celebrations in honour of our 75th milestone. A room full of people in Melbourne celebrating one thing only – our business. Our founder Gordon Henderson was proudly represented by his grandchildren. Current owner and my beautiful and brave mum was also in attendance representing dad, who sadly couldn’t come but would have loved every minute. Much valued partners, suppliers and customers – most of which we’ve worked with for decades were also in attendance.” And there were also new partnerships Above: Henderson’s 75th to announce with the celebrations have kicked off.

National Basketball Below: Eulinid Stevenson (centre) at PG Live with M&G’s Debbie and League, Cricket Alan Williams.

Australia and Netball Australia, which are all featured on the publisher’s new sports collection launching imminently.

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Christmas Starts Here

Our new Christmas Card collection has arrived. Beat the rush and choose from the full range while every design is still available.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Surf’s Up For Finalists!

Good vibrations in abundance for The Henries’ awards nominees Ornament Art’s Jo and David Short There’s been plenty of Fun Fun Fun around for the 86 publishers who have admitted of its Hot Cakes range that is in the finals in the Best Photographic Range reached The Henries finals and are now gearing up for the Good Cardbrations category: “This range started with failure a load of celebrations.

As soon as the recent collapsed jellies messily announcement was made strewn around of which ranges are through to the finals in the the kitchen.

So, we product categories as well cleared up, as for The Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer tried again approaching and Best Service for The Above: Rosie Made A Thing’s Rosie Harrison didn’t things Henries 2026 awards (all mind receiving The Henries news while on holiday! featured on pages 34-77), Above right: Dean Morris horsing around. differently, and this time it worked. Being announced as the good vibrations were felt far and wide Henries finalist, well it almost feels like across the industry.

And, proving that it’s talent not years in we've won Bake Off – it definitely calls for cake!” the industry that count, Jenna Crush, of Jenna Crush Illustration, crowed: “Well White Cotton Cards’ Georgie Palmer confessed: “I’m literally crying with holy moly! Who’d have thought little old happiness! This is such an incredible me would be a Henries finalist!

As a designer new to the industry, honour” while Ricicle’s David Nicholsputting my work out there for the first time Rice exclaimed: “Holy macaroni! Ricicle is up for two Henries – I’m a little lost felt slightly terrifying, exciting, and for words!” exposing all at once – so this recognition The winners of all the award categories feels incredibly rewarding.” will remain a closely guarded secret until A few years into their greetings journey,

Don’t wipeout - book your Henries awards keepsake ticket The Art File rode the crest of a wave to create the fabulous ticket for The Henries, which completely evokes the Good Cardbrations theme of this year’s event.

Tickets are selling fast as greetings folk gear up to celebrate the industry’s big night at London’s Royal Above: The keepsake is Lancaster Hotel on Thursday, 1 October. the ticket to fabulous night of fun.

The Art File’s designer Siiri Väisänen-Forsyth rose to the challenge to design this year’s ticket. Siiri told PG how she took inspiration from the Surf’s Up Good Cardbrations theme: “I started the design process by researching vintage surfboards and their designs. There was a noticeable trend in the 60s of using various kinds of stripes and fine lines, so I wanted to incorporate those into the design. I was also inspired by the warm tones of Californian sunsets, as well as the shades, ripples and splashes of the ocean.

I researched 60s lettering trends and chose a bulbous font for The Henries text as another nod to the event’s nostalgic theme, adding some shiny highlights and a foiled outline to make it pop.”

The invitation itself was designed to be die-cut into a surfboard shape, and Siiri Below: The Art File’s added playfulness, with the sleeve resembling a wave that Siiri has embraced the board is pulled from. the Good To add spark and a luxurious feel the invitation was finished Cardbrations theme. with liquid gold foil detailing – and Graphite Creative is kindly printing the invites on board supplied by GF Smith, with luxurious envelopes from Enveco.

For the champagne drinks reception, sumptuous threecourse meal, celebrity host, awards ceremony and afterparty, tickets cost £250+VAT each. Head to www.max-subscriptions.net.

Thursday, 1 October, at The Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

The generous sponsors for this year’s Henries include Alpha Colour Printers, Cardfactory, CardGains, Cardzone Group, Fedrigoni, GF Smith, Glory Moon, Graphite Creative, Gould Paper, Herbert Walkers, House of Cards, Hugo Blue, The Imaging Centre, Loxleys, McDaniels Law, Postmark, Progressive Greetings Live, Scribbler, The Sherwood Group, Skeet Print, Skylight Media, Spring & Autumn Fairs, UK Envelope Centre and Windles.

Below: A jubilant Jo and David celebrate with cake.

Below right: Teenager Beau Bohlke-Reading, founder and designer of Zimbloo is super pleased to be in the finals in The Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer category.

Here comes the sun!

Sunny days are music to the ears at Henries sponsor, Alpha Colour Printers now as the company has embraced sustainability with the installation of 400 solar panels.

The array across its two factories in Gloucester means over half the greeting card print specialist’s electricity will now be generated from its own rooftops – and Above: Amy Muldrew with the sun.

MyPower’s Dan White at the “We’ve made sustainability a top priority,” print factory that’s now solar powered. explained MD Amy Muldrew. “While Below left: Alpha’s 400 sustainability was the ultimate goal for the solar panels produce 51% of the electric power for business, our partnership with MyPower the company. commercial solar professionals just proves that going green is smart for the bottom line too.”

The 400 panels generate over 172,00kWh per year, which is the equivalent of powering 52 homes for a year, and Amy added that, in such an energy-intensive sector, this system is a powerful financial shield, delivering projected savings and income of over £28,000 in the first year.

Alpha Colour Printers will generate over half its total annual electricity needs through the solar panels.

The move adds to the printer’s green credentials, having already invested in the UK’s first carbon neutral press which generates virtually no ink waste, produces a 20% increase in productivity, and an 18% reduction in energy utilisation.

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NEWS TOP STORY

PG Live Upper Village Support The Imaging Centre offers £250 worth of printed products With over half of all stands already booked for Progressive Greetings Live 2027, leading greeting card printer and fulfilment company, The Imaging Centre is upping its commitment to supporting newbie and emerging publishers with a generous Printed Products Package (PPP) for Upper Village exhibitors, comprising printed goodies worth at least £250.

The Imaging Centre, which has sponsored the Upper Village/Springboard area at PG Live since 2013, has recently unveiled the incentive for the 2027 show, which takes place Tuesday 25 May and Wednesday 26 May (a week earlier than usual to avoid the school half term and Whitsun bank holiday) at London’s Business Design Centre.

Every exhibitor in the main Upper Village and Gallery area of PG Live 2027 (excepting those on the Springboard tables) will be able to take

advantage up to 300 printed cards – maximum of 50 designs with six cards per design – for their stand, plus 50 copies of an A4 or A5 trade catalogue up to 12 pages, plus 100 postcard invitations to send out to retailers and 100 business cards.

“Supporting new and emerging greeting card publishers, who are the lifeblood and continuum of the industry, has always been at the heart of The Imaging Centre,” commented Adam

Above: There’s great camaraderie among exhibitors – and retailers loved spening their tickets in the Upper Village!

CardGains’ Midlands challengers walk the talk Bruises, scratches, nettle stings, Below: Ready for the off (right – said. “The scenery was blisters and aching joints aside, left) Ian and Lorraine Bradley surprisingly beautiful and (Rush Design); Caroline Ranwell the hardy walkers and hardly wandering the arteries of (Hugs & Kisses); Miles Robinson walkers of the Tettenhall splinter (House of Cards); Andrea Pinder British industrial past made it (Presentation); Simon Pryce group have completed the all the more pleasurable.”

(Skylight Media) and Jon Ranwell CardGains Charity Challenge. (Hugs & Kisses).

And they even added a bit The original planned Many extra, completing 22 miles Miles Many Smiles For overall. As Caroline added: Meningitis event was cancelled “It was really tough at the day before due to the times, but what a fabulous extreme temperatures of over day we had. Walking 36C so the 40+ greetings together, chatting, industry folk pledged to laughing and encouraging undertake the 20mile trek each other along the way before 30 September to justify made those miles so their fundraising. much easier.”

So, a few weeks ago the Midlands Others among the walkers contingent, of Caroline and Jon Ranwell, from are planning their own Hugs & Kisses; Presentation’s Andrea completion hikes, led by Pinder; Rush Design’s Lorraine and Ian managing director Helen Bradley; Miles Robinson from House of McManus’ example a month Cards, Cardzone and CardGains; and ago. Paper Salad’s Rachel Simon Pryce from Skylight Media took to Hughes has also already the canal towpaths around Tettenhall at finished, having been among Above: CardGains’ 7.30am to spend nine hours getting their the tenacious team that md Helen McManus has also managed 10 miles on the steps in.

“Approximately nine hours later we finished, walked the talk! original day, setting off at with bruises, scratches, nettle stings, some 5am to beat the worst of the heat with Karen blisters and aching joints, but what a Wilson, Jack Wilson, Ellie Woodcock, Debbie wonderful day, with great people,” Simon Redmond, and Glick’s Chris Bryan.

Short managing director of The Imaging Centre, which currently prints for 850 greeting card publishers. “Our Printed Products Package for Upper Village exhibitors is just one way that we’ll be helping the new breed of publishers to make the most of what is set to be a fabulous PG Live 2027.”

PG Live show manager Tracey Arnaud added: “Given its long running support, The Imaging Centre’s commitment to PG Live or to newbie card publishers was never in question, but this additional package of treats for exhibitors is wonderful, making it super easy for publishers to promote their design talents at the show.”

Fox Under The Moon’s tattoo tributes Editorial on greeting cards often strike a chord and publisher/author Stacey McNeill has Above: Stacey, one of her books recently been and a tattoo that was inspired reminded just how by her work. much her work means to people.

At least two of her fans have taken so much comfort from her Fox Under The Moon words and characters that they’ve commissioned permanent tributes in the shape of individually designed tattoos inspired by Stacey’s work.

“This is my why,” said Stacey who publishes cards under her own brand as well as under licence through The Art File, both of which have reached the finals in The Henries 2026. The tattoo customer explained: “Your words have brought me so much comfort, healing and hope, they’ve been there for me during difficult moments and they’ve made me feel understood in a way that is hard to describe.”

She said she had commissioned the Fox Under The Moon tattoo to act as “a reminder to be kind to myself, to keep going and to carry the comfort your words have given me wherever I go.”

Stacey, working with her husband Jamie also publishes books for children and adults to help them deal with grief and difficult situations, and a sentiment-based gift collection with Joe Davies.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Adam Jobling Has Acquired Quitting Hollywood Publisher’s 40+ years of heritage to continue There’s a new chapter for Quitting Hollywood as commercial director Adam Jobling has become the new owner of the humorous card publisher, taking over from founder Robert Todd.

Having become the face of the business over the past couple of years, including bringing the Wickford-based humour specialist back to PG Live last year for its first trade show in seven years, Adam said: “I am incredibly proud and excited to announce that I have officially become the new owner of Quitting Hollywood. Taking over a business with more than 40 years of history is both an honour and a huge responsibility. Quitting Hollywood has built a fantastic reputation for producing greeting cards that genuinely make people laugh, and I'm passionate about building on that legacy while taking the business into an exciting new era.”

Robert Todd set up the company in 1985 under the name The Bears Go To Hollywood, working with then sales director Bill Greeno, and the pair quickly realised the market was ready for more risqué humour and proceeded to push commerciallyacceptable boundaries – adding novelty attachments from condoms to tea bags with fart cards and penis enlargers en route!

Adam joined QH in February 2021 as national account manager and became commercial director a year later. He is determined to build on the company’s legacy, working with studio manager Emily Meaney to focus on offering “outstanding humour that sells” while investing in fresh

Left: Adam (centre) and the Quitting Hollywood team.

Below: QH has extended its reach in indies through a licensing agreement with Noel Tatt.

ideas and commercial designs for every occasion and being “a publisher that is easy, approachable and enjoyable to work with”, and recently adding a B2C offer through its own website.

Having already branched out into new areas, including working with illustrators Elizabeth Grant and Paul Delaney, celebrating the company’s 40th birthday at PG Live proved fruitful as the stand was opposite Noel Tatt. Conversations during the show with its MD Jarle Tatt quickly led to a licensing deal which saw over 100 QH designs launch into the independent sector through the family-owned publisher.

Adam explained: “Following on from the usual industry chat, it soon became clear that working together could create great synergies. Noting Noel Tatt’s fine reputation and reach in independents, built up over many years, we quickly arrived at a mutually-beneficial distribution model, in the form of a licensing agreement.”

Of his new ownership of the heritage card publisher Adam added: “The heart of Quitting Hollywood remains exactly the same, to create brilliant, funny greeting cards that people love to send and receive.

We aim to solidify existing relationships, while actively looking to build new relationships across the retail industry.”

Calendar congrats to Sir Cliff

Above: Sir Cliff is captured in sunny climes for the 2027 calendar.

Congratulations! The Cliff Richard 2027 calendar is all set to be another bestseller as the Living Doll singer shows his playful side, with its publication lapped up by the national media, including lavish coverage in the Daily Mail and Daily Express.

The 85-year-old music legend has posed for the latest collection of photos for Danilo’s annual officially licensed calendar – the 44th since the series began in 1983, as one of the company’s major signings after founder Laurence Prince started the celebrity tradition with Elvis Presley in 1978.

“We’re incredibly proud to have been publishing the official Sir Cliff Richard Calendar for so many years – and it continues to be one of our bestselling calendars every year,” said Danilo MD Daniel Prince. “The 2027 calendar sees Sir Cliff sharing some fantastic photos from his travels, featuring plenty of colour, personality and memorable moments – as well as a touching tribute to his late friend Cilla Black.”

Above: POC’s recent Paper Chapter covers the sustainable progress in the greeting card industry.

UKG set for the Products Of Change stage UK Greetings is taking centre stage as one of the first speakers announced for this year’s Products of Change Conference, which takes place on 11 November at London’s Royal Geographical Society.

As planning for this year’s event gains momentum, POC founder and CEO Helena Mansell-Stopher said: “Seven years ago, Products Of Change began a conversation about why sustainability mattered. Today, that conversation has evolved into something much bigger. We’re seeing businesses fundamentally changing the way they buy, design, manufacture and sell products. Sustainability is no longer a department – it’s becoming part of how successful businesses operate.

This year’s conference is about opening the doors and sharing those journeys so that the whole industry Above: POC’s Helena can move forward Mansell-Stopher is looking forward to this together.” year’s conference.

The full agenda will see leading retailers and brands taking to the stage, including UKG’s inspiring story about how it has reshored so much of its manufacturing back to the UK and invested in innovative paper engineering that has fundamentally reimagined the design of its greeting cards, gift bags and gift wrap.

Tickets for the POC annual conference, inperson or digital, are available from www.productsofchange.com.

Toasting Squires’ 90 years Nine decades of Squires Garden Centres is being marked, including with a special edition bespoke gifting range in partnership with greeting card publisher and gift company Toasted Crumpet.

Founded in 1936 by DJ Squire, his son Colin expanded the business from growing plants for gardeners to open one of the UK’s first garden centres in Twickenham in 1964. Still family-owned, it has grown to a chain of 17 sites which include a sizeable greeting card and gift selection.

Right: The commemorative range from Toasted Crumpet.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Blazing Towards Top Drawer Retail Revealed speakers curated to help visitors As the sun continues to blaze, thoughts have turned to cooler consumer buying habits, and Top Drawer A/W26 is coming up fast, with its Retail Revealed speakers ready to impart advice.

From The Black Farmer, through the Psychology Of Buyer Behaviour, to What’s Shaping Retail Now via Smarter Buying for Independents, the three-day trade show, which takes place 13-15 September at London’s Olympia, has a wide-ranging series of panel discussions, interviews and practical masterclasses to help retailers.

The Clarion event brings together over 60 greeting card and stationery exhibitors, including Art Angels, ArtPress, Cath Tate Cards, Dinosaurs Doing Stuff, East End Prints, Good Tuesday, Heyyy, Hole In My Pocket, Homeless Made, James Ellis, Katie Leamon, Lil Wabbit, MsGonzalez, Objectables, Ornament Art, Penguin Ink, Poet And Painter, Raspberry Blossom, Sanders De Roeper, Susan O’Hanlon, and You’ve Got Pen On Your Face.

Top Drawer event director David Westbrooke said: “One of the biggest challenges facing retailers today is finding the time to properly research, vet and source new products. That's the hard work we do on their behalf.”

The Trends Feature, curated by The Better Trends Co, will explore the consumer and design movements

Above: Retail Revealed covers a range of topics.

influencing the retail landscape, translating key trend shifts into commercial opportunities for buyers.

Exhibitors will be highlighted in the Spotlight Awards, and there’s the University Of The Arts London (UAL) Showcase for students and alumni to showcase their new to market brands while Launchpad returns for emerging creative businesses.

Visitors can book one-to-one appointments with the Business Hub experts for personalised hourlong sessions giving practical, actionable advice tailored to their needs. This year it’s Katy Norton and Lynsey Abbott, founders of Buying & Beyond and The Buyers’ Club membership community who will be available on Tuesday, 15 September.

The live Retail Revealed sessions run over all three days, with each day centred around a key theme.

Independent & Unapologetic is Sunday’s theme, on Monday it’s HumanLed Visibility & Brand Growth and Tuesday’s is Future-Ready Retail.

Ginger Betty’s new warehouse A new warehouse is on the cards for Ginger Betty as the Lancashire-based publisher run by Tracey Colliston with her husband Pete is moving away from fulfilment. The designer’s gentle watercolours have captured the cute market with a raft of Henries wins and is again a finalist in the 2026 awards with its Marmalade Skies range in both the Best Traditional Words & Sentiment and Best Cute categories. Tracey said: “It’s exciting and scary at the same time! We’ve had help for the last few years with fulfilment, which has helped us to grow, and now it’s time for us to take the leap and begin looking after everything ourselves once again. Orders taken now will have a little wait before being dispatched, but we’ll

Five British publisher scoop US Louie Awards Big birthdays deserve big celebrations – and Emma Pearce, the designer and founder of Sister Paper Co led the charge for Brits in the 2026 US Louie awards, not only picking up the Celebrating Women trophy but also the prestigious Artist Of The Year, finding out on her 40th birthday!

Emma was one of five UK publishers honoured at the recent 37th Louie Awards, with the ceremony being held during the US GCA’s annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Paper Salad, The Art File, Stoats & Weasels and AfroTouch Design joined Sister Paper Co as winners.

From the initial 1,000 entries from 185 brands, 14 British publishers made Above: A Sister Paper Co design. it through to the finals with 21 entries.

Sister Paper Co topped the list with five nominations in total. As Emma commented: “I’ve been working in greeting cards for my entire career so to win the Artist Of The Year award feels like a huge achievement.”

For relative newcomer Lisa Bamford, the news of the Birthday Humorous $5.50 & Below win for her Stoats & Weasels cheeky cat card brought a heartfelt: “What the chuff! I’d like every Tuesday morning to be this exciting! Who knew so many people would be so amused by cats’ bum holes?”

Winning never gets old as Paper Salad owner Karen Wilson explained, having won a number of Louies previously with entries submitted by US distributor Notes & Queries – and plenty of Henries awards – she said: “This morning I woke to the most incredible news from Vanessa Harnik at N&Q, letting me know that we won the award for Best Congratulations/Special Occasion Card $5.50 & Below. We couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Notes & Queries also represents The Art File and celebrations ensued with the Halloween $5.50 & Below win, which they described as “detailed, whimsical artwork”.

AfroTouch Design’s Georgina Fihosy made good on her two finalists’ places out of the three in the Celebrating Black Culture category, describing her winning design: “It’s very rare to see Black representation in seasonal cards. This card is a universal card featuring a traditional concept of The Nutcracker in a contemporary way.”

Above: Ginger Betty’s Tracey and Pete Colliston ready to fill their new warehouse.

keep everyone up to date and informed as to when to expect delivery. We’ll be working our socks off to get everything in place.”

Above: Stoats & Weasels’ Lisa Bamford’s cheeky card got the votes.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Less sympathy more compassion

Free Parking Here Spring and Autumn Fairs launch campaign to support retailers In advance of the imminent Autumn Fair (which takes place 6-9 September at the NEC), show organiser, Hyve is showing support for retailers by launching a campaign aimed at persuading the government to implement free parking across UK High Streets.

A petition calling for local authorities Above: There are free retailer assets available to to provide at least 90 minutes free promote Hyve’s parking petition. parking in town and city centres is now open, with the aim of obtaining at least Spring & Autumn Fair, said: “Retailers aren't asking for special treatment.

100,000 signatures by 23 January in They're asking to remove one of the order that the government has to practical barriers that both businesses consider it for debate in Parliament. and shoppers believe is discouraging The Support Free Parking. Back visits to our town centres.”

Local Businesses. Bring People Back Faire’s general manager Charlotte campaign to support independent Broadbent concurred: “The British retailers has come about from the public doesn’t just want more research earlier this year which independents on their High Street. delivered the proof that shopkeepers They want independent retailers and consumers agree that it’s a huge to be their High Street. barrier to shopping locally.

Shoppers aren’t just The campaign has been looking for the developed as a result of cheapest option, the Voices Of Retail, they’re looking for Spring & Autumn Fair's people and places they research produced with believe in.” online wholesale Alongside the marketplace Faire. petition, retailers Drawing on the views of across the country are retailers and consumers being invited to join the across the UK, the latest campaign through a findings uncovered a dedicated Retailer striking consensus – 38% Toolkit, including Right: A selection of designs from of independent retailers The Art File, which is exhibiting at window posters, QRbelieve free parking would Autumn Fair. code till stickers, social have the greatest positive impact on their business, while 63% of media graphics and digital assets, enabling businesses to encourage consumers say it would encourage customers to sign and share the them to visit town and city centres petition. The pack can be obtained by more often. emailing visitor@autumnfair.com.

Jackson Szabo, portfolio director of

Times they are a-changing and that includes editorial, captioning and point of sale for greeting cards. A GCA workshop with charity Winston’s Wish into how the Above: Moonpig’s SJ Porter greeting card talking about care and industry was compassion with Tesco buyer Laura Thomas at the falling short on recent Henries judging. cards for bereaved children sparked a wider discussion, putting it on the agenda for the association’s Diversity & Inclusion committee.

Sarah-Jane Porter, Moonpig’s head of cards and licensing, who led the workshop with Winston’s Wish is to share the thoughts about the need for a step change on how we see care and connection card sending needs at the upcoming GCA Conference and AGM which takes place Thursday 24 September at Unity Place in Milton Keynes. Other speakers include Cydney Ball, of John Lewis; Dean Morris, founder of Dean Morris Cards; Seth Woodmansterne, md of Woodmansterne Publications; Jon Hendy, analyst of research Kantar who will share consumer and market insights; Amanda Fergusson, GCA CEO who will be reflecting on her 40 years in the greeting card industry, plus there will be a panel of retailers sharing their thoughts and wishes.

To book your ticket, head to www.gca.cards.

Above: Bookings are racking up for this year’s GCA’s Conference.

Noted in New York The US GCA has teamed up for the second year running to co-locate Noted: The Greeting Card Expo with the NY Now Winter show at the Javits Center in New York Sunday 31 January to Tuesday 2 February. Noted will feature as a dedicated section within the show floor for the expected 70-100 greeting card exhibitors. “This is such an important partnership,” said Dorothy Belshaw, coowner of NY Now. “The stationery category has always performed well in the north-east region and, as more store types add cards to their assortment, NY Now represents a significant opportunity for designers to expand their distribution and meet new customers. US GCA executive director Carlos Llansó added: “We’re thrilled to bring Noted to New York again. Greeting cards help

us connect and nurture relationships. Our community of card publishers, retailers and suppliers are ready to make those connections and nurture those relationships at the winter show.”

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OVER THE

COUNTER

BY DAVID ROBERTSON OF JP POZZI, ELGIN AND BUCKIE.

Is shopping the game of our lives?

The evolution of retail fascinates me. A recent headline in the Scottish Sunday Post was ‘Shock survey shows fall in spending and trips to high streets’. This narrative is present in most news bulletins and yet lots of indie retailers I know across the country are doing OK. It is tough, but retailers are finding different ways to sell, as I discovered being a Whatnot guineapig buying LEGO! Above: Like LEGO, the building blocks of retailing now come in many different shades and shapes.

Right: The P&J covers Aberdeenshire and Highlands news.

I recently went down the rabbit hole of vintage film posters and LEGO. Retired Sets, a business selling exactly that, tempted me with a free £25 to spend on its live 100 spot auction stream on Whatnot.

For those of you who haven't come across Whatnot yet, it is basically a live selling platform where people sell products through auctions you watch on your phone.

There are all sorts of items being sold but they are largely trend driven, so LEGO, NeeDoh, trainers etc. I like LEGO, particularly rare, retired LEGO, which probably made me exactly the sort of person (idiot) they were looking for.

Before long I was watching someone auction random slots to win a random retired LEGO set.

With countdown clocks, people bidding against each other and the possibility you might get something considerably better than what you had paid for, the excitement and temptation builds. Somewhere along the way I managed to 24 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

spend about £86 and win two lots.

At the time I was quite pleased with myself, but when the random set was revealed I reckoned there was probably only about £20-worth of LEGO coming my way.

So how on earth did someone who has spent most of his working life buying and selling things manage to spend £86 on something worth £20? The answer is that I wasn't really buying LEGO, I was buying the excitement of the auction and that little thought in the back of my mind that perhaps this time I might get lucky and that Scooby Doo Lighthouse from 2015 could be mine!

It was only afterwards that it struck me that what I'd participated in was Left: The post that lured David Robertson in to the Retired Sets auction.

glorified gambling dressed up as shopping.

But it was also really clever retail and that got me thinking about just how differently people shop today and particularly how younger customers are being taught to shop.

For years retail was fairly straightforward.

You needed something, you went up the High Street or to your favourite store. When internet shopping arrived it didn't actually change that process. Instead of walking down the High Street you searched Google, Amazon or the brand. You still generally knew what you wanted.

What seems to be changing now is that increasingly the customer isn't looking for the product at all, the product is looking for them.

TikTok Shop is probably the best example of this. Someone can be scrolling through videos with absolutely no intention of buying anything and suddenly they are watching somebody demonstrate a product they have never seen before. Another video appears, someone else is using it, the comments say how brilliant it is and ten minutes later they

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OVER THE COUNTER have gone from not knowing the thing existed to wondering how they lived without one.

Then you have Vinted, which has changed shopping in another way. There seems to be far less stigma among younger people about buying something second-hand. They search brands, follow sellers, make offers and when they have finished with whatever they bought they can sell it again.

Vinted has also effectively turned millions of customers into little retailers themselves.

They photograph stock, write descriptions, decide prices, negotiate, package the goods and post them. Without necessarily realising it, a generation is learning how buying and selling works.

Then there are mystery and blind boxes.

Think about the Labubu phenomena, probably the most obvious recent example.

Part of the attraction is that you don't

Above: David has spent the vast majority of his career in physical retailing.

necessarily know exactly what you are getting. There are common ones, rare ones and inevitably the one everybody wants.

Again, the excitement isn't entirely about the product, it’s about opening the box and finding out what you have got.

There is definitely an uncomfortable crossover developing between retail, gaming and gambling. Countdown clocks, random rewards, limited chances, rare products and the fear of missing out are incredibly powerful ways of getting us to spend money.

Whatnot did an absolutely brilliant job of getting £86 out of my pocket. The problem was that I felt disappointed almost immediately afterwards. That is the difference between making a sale and making a customer.

We are also seeing the power of the ‘drop’. LEGO does it, trainer companies do it, fashion brands do it and we certainly see it

Above: Whatnot has taught David some new tricks.

Right: Labubu has worked its magic to get people wanting to get their hands on the rare items.

with Jellycat. There is a huge psychological difference between saying: "We have some new stock coming in next week" and telling customers something is to launch on Friday, “numbers are limited and when they're gone they're gone”. One is a delivery. The other is an event.

We don't need to turn our shops into casinos and I certainly don't want customers standing in Pozzi while I shout "Going once, going twice" as a countdown clock flashes above the till, but perhaps we should look at what makes these platforms successful rather than dismissing them as just something young people do on their phones.

They create discovery, excitement, scarcity, interaction and community. All things independent retailers are already good at.

The other fascinating thing is that we can now have three generations buying exactly the same product but taking completely different routes to get there.

An older customer might walk past the window, see an item of Jellycat they like, come inside, pick it up and buy it. Someone in their twenties might see exactly the same Jellycat on TikTok, then look at our Instagram to see whether we have it in stock.

A teenager might walk through the door already knowing the character's name, that it was released that day, whether it is difficult to find and how much it is being sold for online.

Same product, same shop and hopefully the same sale, but three completely different journeys to get there.

Good shops still have advantages the online world would absolutely love to have.

You can pick something up, try it, compare it with something else and ask an actual human being what they think. You can take it home immediately and, unlike my Whatnot adventure, you know exactly what you are getting before handing over the money.

Most importantly, good independent shops

have something online platforms spend fortunes trying to manufacture - community.

There is a strange irony in watching enormous technology companies desperately trying to make online shopping feel more human while some physical retailers are busy removing the human elements from their businesses.

I suppose the biggest lesson from my £86 LEGO experiment is that I hadn't really bought £86-worth of LEGO at all, I had bought anticipation, competition, entertainment and the possibility that I might get lucky. And clearly, I was prepared to pay quite a lot for it.

Modern retail has become incredibly clever at persuading us to press the ‘buy’ button even when we didn't know we wanted anything five minutes earlier.

The opportunity for the independent retailers isn't necessarily to copy it, but to take some of that excitement, discovery and entertainment and combine it with the things we already do better: people, product knowledge, trust, service and genuine relationships. Because ultimately getting someone to buy something is only half the job.

When they get home, open the bag and look at what they have bought, we need them to be glad they bought it from you. That is hitting the real jackpot. l To contact David email: jppozzi@btconnect.com Below: Vinted has made retailers out of many consumers.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 25

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cardsharp

ON THE SHOPPiNG LiST It was allegedly, the French Emperor Napoleon, who described the British as a ‘Nation of Shopkeepers’. This seems rather ironic when you compare the vibrant mix of boulangeries, charcutiers and patisseries located in most French town centres with our miserable mixture of vape shops, charity shops and 'Turkish’ barbers.

As the debate heats up again about the future of the UK’s struggling high streets, Cardsharp chucks in his two pennies.

Our shiny new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, in-between fluttering his long eyelashes and discussing the merits of Scampi Fries, has been pontificating

about Britain’s beleaguered high streets.

He has vowed to revive them by clamping down on vape shops and betting shops.

He has also pledged to crackdown on “Rip off price discounts” whatever they are. He has also hinted that he would like to see price controls on food basics in supermarkets.

But like every issue so far, on which the 'Northern Powerhouse’ has given his views they have not been Left: French towns are well blessed with gorgeous independent food shops.

26 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Above: Napoleon Bonaparte apparently called Britain a “nation de boutiquiers” to dismiss the English as having little military ambition compared to commerce.

Below: TGJones’ closures are leaving more empty units on our high streets.

subjected to any serious scrutiny, such is his reluctance vto engage in any serious questioning from big hitting commentators.

In addition to that there is the laudable national petition campaign being launched

by Spring Fair and Autumn Fair with an aim of reviving high streets by securing free parking to support local businesses.

The key bit is the demand for councils to grant allow 90 minutes free parking in the town centres as an incentive for consumers to visit. Heaven knows action is

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urgently needed. And it’s only going to get worse. The ongoing closure of so many TGJones stores is going to leave even more gaps.

The campaign quotes research that 95% of retailers agree that consumers would spend more if their local high street had a better mix of shops and 96% want to see more independent retailers.

Yes, Cardsharp agrees, and who doesn’t. No one wants to see boarded up shop fronts or ubiquitous vape shops and barbers (especially if they are just a front for money laundering, selling counterfeit goods or illegal drugs). It has reached epidemic proportions in some areas.

Apparently, there are now 20 American style Candy Stores along a stretch of Oxford Street from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road in London’s West End. And everyone knows that most of these don’t sell much confectionery.

But however laudable Andy Burnham’s words are there are more fundamental questions that need to be addressed if things are going to improve.

Just looking at the issue of free parking, there will be some hurdles to leap over.

We all know free parking would be a big help to retailers, but Cardsharp is also well aware that most councils are effectively bankrupt or facing terrible problems with overspending. Some 90% of council budgets go on two main areas - care for the elderly and education for special needs children. That’s the reason given why potholes don't get fixed. Any initiative that robs councils of a steady stream of revenue is likely come up against resistance.

Cardsharp knows that there is an argument that in the long run it will help council revenues, but very few councils are in a position to look to the long term.

And it's all very well, as Burnham does, going on about getting rid of vape shops and barbers, but you have to argue why they are there in the first place.

Right: Retailers have a long ‘shopping list’ of improvements they would like to see.

Left: Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been vocal that he is going to support retailers, but nothing has happened so far.

Below: Vape shops have not been a welcomed addition to our high streets.

Nature abhors a vacuum and if you get rid of all of these, aren’t there just going to be just more empty units?

And Trading Standards and the police already have the existing regulatory powers to close down these rogue retailers down, but the lack of funding to both organisations means that they have limited ability to follow through on this.

And Burnham’s comments about profiteering and ‘Rip off price discounts' not only don’t help but are clearly wrong. UK retailing is probably the most competitive in the world. Talk of helping the consumer with the cost of living by reducing the price of basics is ridiculous and right off the mark. The intense competition between Britain’s supermarkets mean that margins are absolutely wafer thin and do more than anything else help keep costs down.

New Labour government legislation that came into operation recently have further exacerbated the situation. Now a young weekend shop assistant

working just one day a week can claim 80% of their wage as sickness benefit.

This has led to an epidemic of young people pulling ‘sickies’ and not turning up for their Saturday or Sunday shifts, leaving shopowners in the lurch.

Cardsharp also thinks that consumers generally are a bunch of hypocrites! We all want a thriving diverse high street, but our actions work against this by our incessant online shopping habit. Until we all make a collective decision to curb shopping online and use the likes of Amazon less, high streets won’t thrive again.

But to Cardsharp’s mind, Burnham’s predecessors have been huge contributors to the present dire situation. The increase in the Living Wage has been a disaster for retail employment in that it hikes up costs.

As has been the increase in the employer’s contribution of National Insurance, and the addition of pulling in part-time retail workers into the tax liability. Then there has been the persistent failure to tax the likes of Amazon properly and to address the iniquitous level of business rates that bricks and mortar retailers suffer. And all that is on top of the huge regulatory burden of running a shop in the UK. So however welcome Burnham’s comments and the new free parking petition campaign are, there is a long way to go before any difference can be made. Retail is still the largest private sector employer generating three million jobs.

Cardsharp concludes only a real change in consumer behaviour and positive and sustained government action will have any positive effect. In the meantime, Cardsharp is just popping to the shops to walk his talk.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 27

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VIEWPOINTS

Wouldn’t It Be Nice…

Inset: Henries judges were in fine voice about their views on the industry.

With The Henries 2026 awards event taking on a Surf’s Up, Good Cardbrations theme, the retail judges were put on the spot with a few questions based on Beach Boys hits: Surf’s Up… what gets you in a froth that you would like to see improved in our industry or in the world in general?

Good Vibrations… what do you think are reasons to be cheerful about the greeting card industry and card retailing?

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You… what are your personal guilty (or not so guilty) pleasures?

Gabrielle Peters, buyer of Marks & Spencer Surf’s Up: “The continuing trend to send texts on birthdays and other occasions instead of cards bothers me. Receiving a card for no other reason other than Above: Gabrielle stayed on someone cares makes after the judging to even a sourpuss like participate in the PG/GCA Retailer Forum. me, cheerful.”

Good Vibrations: “I love that new people continue to join our industry with their fresh views helping to continue this long-established sector and keep it relevant and inspiring. For me personally I feel happy by the opportunity to continue nurturing card growth both in sales and expanding the selection.”

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “Food… I am guilty of enjoying it far too much and with M&S food, I’m scuppered!”

28 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Tanya Haandrikman and Sonya Haandrikman-Sibbald, co-owners of Celebrations, Carlisle Surf’s Up: “One of the biggest issues that gets us in a froth is business rates. The valuation of commercial city centre properties has declined but this hasn’t been reflected in our rates! Pubs and clubs have been given assistance but where is the support for hard working retailers?! The Government needs to encourage growth on the high street but are doing nothing about it.”

Good Vibrations: “When we send a card, we are Above: Tanya (right) and Sonya making their selection. sending an emotion and Right: Is it Tanya or Sonya who ‘cards make people happy.’ has a soft spot for actor Bradley Cooper?!

Bringing people together is at the heart of our business, the very act of sending a card can lift a spirit, shed a tear or inspire laughter. We are truly blessed to be part of such an amazing industry that genuinely cares about the products and the people in it.”

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “One of us loves wine the other loves crisps! However Bradley Cooper and Tom Cruise come a close second!”

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VIEWPOINTS

Mark JansonSmith, managing director of Postmark, 17 shops in London and Glasgow Surf’s Up: “Shoplifting – and the fact that it has effectively been legalised is insane!”

Good Vibrations: “A truly lovely industry – lovely people and a wonderful product with a Above: As Postmark sponsors The Lynn Tait Best Young Designer purpose.” category, Mark Janson-Smith took special interest in those entrants.

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “Red wine, which has to be one of nature’s best inventions.”

Fiona Haddrell, owner of Inklings, Hungerford Surf’s Up: “I do believe the national press has a lot to answer for. They always report negative news and not enough positive stories. For example the Royal Mail focus is always about how the cost of first class stamps is going up and Above: Inklings’ Fiona Hadrell with Medici’s Tim Reynolds (right) and Charlie Wheatley. being expensive and not about how second class post is good value.”

Good Vibrations: “Seeing young people in the shop buying cards hopefully means that the industry isn’t shrinking. Plus, there are so many fabulous new designs coming through.”

Miles Robinson, co-founder of House of Cards and now working with Cardzone Surf’s Up: “I would love to see a Government that is actually pro retail business, instead of seeing retailers as a cash cow and for the not-fit-forpurpose business rates to be replaced by something more appropriate.”

Good Vibrations: “Despite retail being super tough, judging The Henries proves not only the resilience of our sector, but just how much talent there is out there. It truly is wonderfully inspirational.”

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “LEGO, Maoams and Montrachet.”

Below: Maoams are a Miles guilty pleasure.

Left: Miles with Lucy Eason of George’s in Whitstable.

Georgina Black, owner of Pretty Shiny Shop, Finsbury Park Surf’s Up: “I get riled by the cheap knock-offs of independent publishers that the larger shops buy and then sell.”

Good Vibrations: “We should all feel happy that, despite Royal Mail’s Above: One of Georgina’s guilty pleasures. continuous price increases of stamps Left: Georgina Black checking out people are still enjoying sending cards.” the finalists!

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “Magnum ice cream bars!”

Hannah Sharman, owner of Earlybird Cards and Gifts, Stoke Newington Surf’s Up: “People who only care about profit; selfishness and those who plagiarise artist’s work.”

Good Vibrations: “No matter what the occasion is, cards are sent with good intentions. How many industries can be said to only be for a good purpose?”

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “Crime shows, the more gory the better!”

Right: Hannah judging.

Rebekah Mudie, owner of Daisy Daisy, Cardiff Surf’s Up: “I do feel there should be more educating younger generations into the importance of card sending, especially with the worry that phone messaging will replace card sending for them. I also would love to see more support for small indies from the Government and local councils, plus restraining postage price increases and improving Royal Mail’s service.”

Good Vibrations: “Cards bring joy. Yah! They also celebrate the creativity of talented artists, bring people together and strengthen relationships. In short, cards are lush!”

Right: Rebekah loved being part of The Henries judging.

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VIEWPOINTS Megan Douglas, buyer of Waterstoness Surf’s Up: “As ever, stamp prices and Royal Mail issues are always a worry, but it is great to see that customers still love greeting cards and are still supporting the industry.”

Good Vibrations: Above: Waterstones’ buyer Megan Douglas (right) and “Everyone’s so buyer’s assistant Megan Hoslett. friendly and collaborative, it’s a really lovely industry to be a part of. There are also so many amazing illustrators and ranges out there at the moment. This makes selecting which ranges to stock very tough, but it is brilliant to see.”

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “Definitely watching trash TV!”

Anne Barber, owner of In Heaven at Home, Market Harborough Surf’s Up: “The price of a first class stamp is now £1.80 and every time the costs go up, I seem to receive less post, delivered in a batch, once every two weeks.

This isn’t helpful in encouraging people to send cards.”

Good Vibrations: “There is an absolute joy of writing and sending or receiving a handwritten envelope with a beautiful card inside.”

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “Ridiculously early morning baking… I love getting up at 4am to bake a cake for customers.

And of course, my Henry the sausage dog who is my dearest best friend and daily saviour.”

Above: Early morning baker Anne Barber!

Lucy Brookfield, buyer of Ryman

Samantha Whittington, proprietor of Sewsilver, Worthing Surf’s Up: “The continuing decline of the High Street generally is a concern – will people continue to venture out in small towns if all the shop units Above: A beaming Sam Whittington. are filled with vape shops, tattoo parlours and cafes?

I am also worried about increasing stamp prices and the poor Royal Mail delivery service.”

Good Vibrations: “Everyone is lovely. Attending PG Live makes me feel great - such a great gathering of positive people which is a great tonic in today’s stressful world. The Retas awards ceremony and The Henries judging event have also been really special.”

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “I can’t help dragging my long-suffering husband into every card and gift shop whenever we’re on holiday. I also can’t help myself straightening up other retailers’ card displays.”

Surf’s Up: “Copying in the industry. There is no need for it; just be original.”

Good Vibrations: “It’s growing! It’s so exciting to see so much newness coming through of fun, Above: Lucy Brookfield enjoyed contemporary designs.” her first time as a Henries judge.

Left: The spice of life for Lucy.

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “Chilli Heatwave Doritos and Cadbury Chocolate Fingers, together at the same time.”

Sarah Lishman, buyer of Barkers, Northallerton Surf’s Up: “The rising cost of postage gets me in a froth. The price of a first class stamp is crazy!”

Good Vibrations: “We should never forget what a lovely, friendly industry this is, that Above: Sarah Lishman about to cast her votes. showcases little works of art.”

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “My guilty pleasure is watching F1 on a Sunday afternoon.”

Pete Sampson, owner of A Stone’s Throw, Sherwood

Above: Pete was a happy judge.

Right: Pete is a big Eurovision fan.

Surf’s Up: “Charity shops selling greeting cards and newly purchased stock. The financial/tax benefits charity shops receive really does make it an unfair playing field for independent retailers. This is far worse than competing with supermarkets as invariably charity shops are a matter of metres away rather than a car drive to a retail park.”

Good Vibrations: “Honestly, I feel we are spoilt for choice at the moment for

30 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

excellent greeting card designs. We often quip that we could fill several shops just full of cards. This is industry is so enjoyable.”

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “Eurovision! It really is the musical equivalent of the card industry – humour, camp, sentiment, inclusivity… something for everyone!”

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VIEWPOINTS Nigel Williamson,

Right: Cheers Nigel!

director of House of Cards Surf’s Up: “Lots of stuff at the moment gets me in a froth…Trump, Farage, Putin, card park attendants, ID, passwords, rude people and when my golf doesn’t go well!”

Left: Nigel with Presentation’s Andrea Pinder.

Good Vibrations: “People still love cards and it’s such a wonderful community to be a part of.”

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “A pint of Old Speckled Hen while chewing the cud with a mate.”

Sally Matson, owner of Red Card and Little Red, Petworth

Above: Sally Matson in judging mode.

Right: Fancy moving to Alentejo?!

Surf’s Up: “It’s all about perspective.

There is so much to fix in the world that I actually think we are pretty lucky in our industry, but we do still have the issue of stamp prices/Royal Mail.”

Good Vibrations: “The people. And the

people. Oh, and the people! And the fact that the UK greeting card industry is, without a doubt, the best in the world.”

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “1. Noah Wyle in The Pitt.

2. Looking at pictures of before and after facelifts.

3. Searching for homes in Portugal.”

Liz Killick,

Caroline Ranwell, owner of Hugs &

co-owner of Calladoodles, Carshalton

Kisses, Tettenhall

Surf’s Up: “The copying on Temu which is pure design theft. The state of the world at the moment also gets me in a froth, but that is best left unsaid.”

Good Vibrations: “This industry is full composed of 99.9% lovely people and inspirational designers which foster a strong sense of community.”

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “True crime dramas, good coffee, cake and chocolate.”

Above: Calladoodles’ Liz Killick (left) swops judging notes with Scribbler’s Tori Heath-Smith (centre) and Laura Clarke.

Below: All that is missing is a good coffee, chocolate and a true crime drama.

Surf’s Up: Postage prices get me in a froth, plus the lack of help for small businesses.”

Good Vibrations: “This is an amazing industry that is unique with everyone involved – retailers, card companies, agents and trade suppliers – all part of one big family.

Instead of being against each Above: Caroline loves the family other, everyone works vibe of the industry. together.”

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “My top three would be: 1. My dog Dolly and the wonderful cuddles we have.

2. A lovely glass of good red wine to help me unwind.

3. Going to music festivals, which are a real escapism.”

Jo Sorrell, proprietor of Cardies, Stevenage Surf’s Up: “The problems facing retail in general include increased business rates, minimum wage, national insurance. The Government seems to overlook the challenges of running a retail shop.”

Good Vibrations: “There is so much amazing choice available in the greeting card sector and it is such a cheerful industry. Considering there is so much negative news in the world, we are very lucky.”

God Only Knows, What I’d Be Without You: “Labradors!”

Left: Jo Sorrell is amazed at the wealth of choice in the card sector.

Right: One of Jo’s Labradors who frequents Cardies.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 31

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s e t o V g n i t s Ca The Henries awards are the ultimate accolades in greeting card design, attracting 1,993 entries from 284 different greeting card publishers across the 20 product categories.

PG explains the two-stage judging process, involving well over 100 retailers, to arrive at the finalists and winners of The Henries 2026.

“Publishers’ engagement with The Henries 2026 was incredible with entries submitted by almost 300 companies, from established leading brands to brand new start-ups, collectively showcasing our industry’s abundant creativity,” commented Jakki Brown, managing director of Max Publishing, which owns and organises The Henries. “The two-stage judging process meant that we had retail buyers from right across the retailing landscape casting their votes, both online and in person to arrive at this year’s finalists and winners,” she added.

As ever, The Henries were free to enter, making them accessible to all publishers. The first round of judging took place entirely online, which saw a judging panel made up of over 100 retail buyers cast votes to arrive at a shortlist. There were 16 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 29 July at London’s Business Design Centre) with a judging panel comprising 46 retail buyers, considering the actual greeting cards and giftwrappings and casting their votes to arrive at the finalists and winners for The Henries 2026.

The Henries 2026 Live Judging Panel l Anne Barber, owner of In Heaven At Home, Market Harborough l John Barratt, of The Card Centre, Felixstowe l Georgina Black, owner of Pretty Shiny Shop, Finsbury Park l Dale Boreham, head of card design of Moonpig l Lucy Brookfield, buyer of Ryman Group l Laura Clarke, buyer of Scribbler l Stuart Delahoy, owner of Set, Leicester l Megan Douglas, buyer of Waterstones l Lucy Eason, owner of George's, Whitstable l Colette Foster, owner/buyer of Sky, Clifton l Tim Gould, boss man of Objectables, Folkestone l Tanya Haandrikman, co-owner of Celebrations, Carlisle l Sonya Haandrikman-Sibbald, co-owner of Celebrations, Carlisle l Fiona Haddrell, owner of Inklings, Hungerford l Tori Heath-Smith, buying manager of Scribbler l Megan Hoslett, buyer’s admin assistant of Waterstones l Mark Janson-Smith, managing director of Postmark l Sandra Jervis, owner of Creative Cove, Lampeter l Liz Killick, co-owner of Calladoodles, Carshalton l Sarah Laker, owner of Stationery Supplies, Marple and Wilmslow l Sarah Lishman, buyer of Barkers, Northallerton l Sally Matson, owner of Red Card and Little Red, Petworth l Rebekah Mudie, owner of Daisy Daisy, Cardiff l Evonne Pearson, owner of The Hedgehog Bookshop, Penrith

l Gabrielle Peters, buyer of Marks and Spencer l Andrea Pinder, owner of Presentation, Barrowford l Sarah-Jane Porter, head of greeting cards and licensing, Moonpig l Caroline Ranwell, owner of Hugs and Kisses, Tettenhall l Andrew Reid, manager of The Card Centre, Felixstowe l Olivia Reilly, co-owner of Little Boat Gifts, Brightlingsea l Pete Reilly, co-owner of Little Boat Gifts, Brightlingsea l Tim Reynolds, retail manager of Medici Gallery, South Kensington l Sally Roberts, owner of Cardiau Môn Cards, Amlwch l Miles Robinson, co-founder of House of Cards, working with Cardzone l Katie Salt, card buyer of Cardfactory l Pete Sampson, co-owner of A Stone's Throw, Sherwood l Hannah Sharman, owner of Earlybird Cards & Gifts, Stoke Newington l Matt Simpson, owner of The Letter Arty, Manchester l Jo Sorrell, proprietor of Cardies, Stevenage l Lauren Thomas, cards and celebrations buyer for Tesco l Emma Thurgood, manager of Sincerely Yours, Hornchurch and Shenfield l Kaye Thurgood, owner of Sincerely Yours, Hornchurch and Shenfield l Nigel Williamson, director of House of Cards l Charlie Wheatley, assistant manager of Medici Gallery, South Kensington l Samantha Whittington, proprietor of Sewsilver, Worthing l Ruth Young, retired buyer of Clintons

Above: The judging in full flow.

Right: Cheers from the judging panel and PG team at The Henries 2026 physical judging event.

Left: Cardfactory buyer Katie Salt with her judging forms.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 33

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TThhee LLyynnnn TTaaitit

g n i s i m o r P Most r e n g i s e D Young Open to: This special award category recognises and rewards the wealth of young creative talent that we have in the UK. This award was open to all designers and artists (employed by a publisher or freelance) aged 35 years or under on 6 June 2026. l

Beau Bohlke–Reading, founder of Zimbloo

“I started making greeting cards five years ago as a hobby, when I was 10 years old, and since then designing has become such a huge passion of mine. I launched Zimbloo last year because I felt there was a gap in the market for eye-catching, unique, colourful, bold greeting cards. I love creating vibrant graphic patterns in my ranges, along with birthday cards that feel genuinely ‘cool’ and fresh for teenagers. Cards that pop, moments that last!

Since starting, I'm proud to have sold over 4,000 cards online and at fairs, and hope to build on this in the coming years. I would love to see my ranges in shops, where I can establish a strong presence in the greeting card market.

Every Zimbloo card is printed locally and designed/packaged by me from my home in Kent.” l

Meg Boudewijns,

Finalists in alphabetical order

l

Founder and designer of Zimbloo l

Meg Boudewijns In-house designer at Dandelion Stationery

l

Lydia Mae Founder of LydiaMae

l

Emily Needham In-house designer at Woodmansterne Publications

l

Louise Richardson, Founder of Two For Joy Illustration

l

Lex Rogy Founder of Little Roglets

l

Ashley Rowe In-house designer at Paper Salad

in-house designer of Dandelion Stationery “My creative journey really took off while studying Illustration at university. I’d done some freelance work for Dandelion Stationery, which totally hooked me on the magic of greeting cards, when a few months later I randomly spotted a Facebook ad for an in-house designer. I applied instantly! I didn't get that original job, but in the best twist of fate, the team loved my work enough to create a new junior designer role just for me. Three years later, with 12 commercially successful card ranges under my belt, I still pinch myself every day. I love this job just as much as the moment I walked through the door.

When I’m not in the studio, you’ll find me painting pet portraits or immersing myself in paleoart, the detailed, scientifically accurate reconstruction of prehistoric creatures. It might sound like an unusual mix, but those fine art roots directly fuel my commercial work, bringing fine art techniques into the quirky, characterfilled illustrations on my cards!

Art has always been surrounding me. Growing up, I’d watch my dad paint and marvel at the endless creative projects my auntie and grandad took on, so you could say artistic flair is just baked into our genes! I’m endlessly grateful to my family for passing down that spark and constantly pushing me to reach higher, as well as the incredible Dandelion team for filling every studio day with laughter, tea and encouragement.”

Beau Bohlke-Reading

l

Katie Townsend Founder of Arrow Gift Co l

Lydia Mae, founder of LydiaMae

“I am a self-taught illustration artist who picked up a brush again following the birth of my son, and created my first greeting card after some gentle encouragement from social media followers. Inspired by nature, books, vintage, music and loved ones, my aim is to create designs that spread a little bit of happiness.

For the first few years LydiaMae was a hobby business with a small following and a handful of stockists that discovered me via Instagram. Then in 2024 I decided to take the leap and opened a small studio/gift shop in Steyning, West Sussex and also booked my first trade show (Spring Fair 2025). Now LydiaMae is steadily growing.

My designs are created from my original artwork using gouache paints, and all products are made in the UK as sustainably and eco consciously as possible.” l

Emily Needham,

designer at Woodmansterne Publications.

CATEGORY SPONSOR

34 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

“Growing up on a farm, I spent countless hours drawing and painting my surroundings, and that connection to nature continues to inspire everything I design. I’ve always been drawn to not just the colours of nature; but the shapes and forms that it creates too.

I try to make sure that my creativity doesn’t end

The Henries Finalists 2026.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2026 12:18 Page 2

with my day job. Whether I’m making cushions, patterns and prints for my home or making handmade pieces for friends and family, I love exploring different mediums, from painting, to sewing and felting, I'm especially drawn to handmade methods that celebrate imperfections and quirks. I enjoy getting lost in a creation and often… forgetting how late it is!

While studying textiles at university, I did a live brief for Hallmark that led to a work placement. It really opened my eyes to the fact that I could build a career in greeting cards and actually do what I love; since then, I have joined Woodmansterne and have been able to develop as a designer; working on many different projects - designing Christmas boxes for John Lewis and exploring new products like die-cut and 3D cards. I have also had the opportunity to explore lots of new styles. I have recently moved into gifting and I’m excited to create more repeat patterns and design for many different products.

I still can’t believe this is my job. I feel very lucky to pursue my passion and I can’t wait to see what comes next.”

idea a card industry existed, I just liked that there was a place for my small scale art and tiny characters to go.

My art is the way I see the world, my way of expressing and processing life around me. If you lined all my cards up in a row, l'd be able to tell you a story about every single one and tell you which chapter of life I was in at the time I designed it. And if not based on personal experience, then they are inspired by witnessing loved ones going through their own milestones and hurdles, with the greetings very often being the things I would say to them. And it goes without saying, my love of animals, the outdoors and using a simple but thought-through colour palette, remains a constant driving force.'' l

Ashley Rowe, in-house designer for Paper Salad “Creativity has been a part of who I am from a very young age. Whether I was making my own bird costume or handcrafting birthday cards for my

l

entire family, I was always creating something new.

Louise Richardson, founder of

Over the years, that passion naturally evolved

Two For Joy Illustration “I first dipped my toe into greeting cards 12 years ago, when I 'accidentally' got a card into Paperchase stores. I was hooked right away, although it would be another nine years, three children and two full-time job changes (and five house moves!) before I would exhibit at my first trade show (PG Live 2024).

My entry for this award was a celebration of that long journey, that every stepping stone was an important piece of my story; slow and steady - and proudly so.

My inspiration is a bit backwards - it's often seeing the process that helps me conjure up my ideas. My degree was in Decorative Arts, learning how things are made in all levels of production, and a career in design and buying followed, visiting factory floors over the UK and worldwide; from watching tiles being manufactured in Stoke-on-Trent, to beautiful wooden cabinets carved in front of me in India, I love learning about what's possible within the confines of the manufacturing techniques and then thinking of ideas that are a bit different, or using the techniques but in a different way.

A trip to my printers recently inspired a few collections, asking lots of obscure questions helps too. I also work with a new printer for my die-cuts and I'm often on Facetime seeing how the machines work in real time.”

into a love for print and pattern design. Studying Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design at Leeds Arts University allowed my creativity to truly flourish, drawing inspiration from the weird and wonderful while experimenting with techniques such as screen printing, dyes, and foils.

Since graduating, my career has come full circle from my first design role in greeting cards, to interior fabrics and silk accessories, and now back to greeting cards with Paper Salad.

Paper Salad perfectly reflects my love for bold, vibrant colour and expressive design, combining hand-painted elements with digital creativity.

Working across a variety of products and finishes gives me the freedom to explore fresh ideas, push creative boundaries, and bring exciting new concepts to life. What I love most is that we’re unapologetically bold, bright, and full of personality. Our designs are made to stand out, spark joy, and bring a smile to everyone who receives them.” l

Katie Townsend, founder of Arrow Gift Co

“I'm a self-taught illustrator who started creating greeting cards because the ones I found in shops didn't reflect my humour or personality at all! I

l

Lex Rogy, founder of Little Roglets

''My journey to Little Roglets was as wiggly as any journey of life is. From project managing LEGO sculptures to interiors for superyachts, my career path has been anything short of boring! Yet I always felt like I was missing the freedom and creativity I wanted in a job. So, after years of feeling lost at a 9-5 job, and years of not doing any form of art, I have my misery at my day job to thank as it resulted in me picking up the same watercolour set I used as a little girl and I fell in love with painting all over again. I started painting people's pets as commissions and then during Covid, I moved onto designing products, creating nursery prints and my

wanted to make cards that felt like an inside joke between the person giving them and the person receiving them.

My work is playful, colourful and often pretty silly, but (underneath the cheesy puns) most of it is still meaningful and ultimately is about a connection between two people.

I'm inspired by the mundane, everyday things that bring people closer - conversations, nostalgia and all the little in-jokes that create a bond and make each relationship unique.”

first four cards, which are still a part of my core collection today. I had no PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 35

trade.cathtatecards.com | orders@cathtatecards.com

| 020 8671 2166

Best Humorous Range Simon Drew for Cath Tate

Best Male Range Twisted Lyrics

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B Beesstt

d n a y t i s r e v Di e g n a R n o i Inclus Open to: All greeting card ranges (humorous and nonhumorous) that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026 that reflect diversity and inclusivity. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

l

Diversity and Inclusion Range from The London Studio

As Good As Gold from Lil Wabbit l Cheers To You from Stoats & Weasels l Little Worlds from The Silver Hen l Pin Up Postage Stamp Cards l

from Pink & Mint Design l

Pride In London Collection from Greeting Card Association (incorporating designs from Cath Tate Cards, Dinosaurs Doing Stuff, Dean Morris Cards, Hallmark, Jessie Maeve Studio, LoveLossDiscoballs, Ohh Deer, Pink and Mint Design, The Queer Store, Ricicle and UK Greetings)

Artists Coective for Diversity As Gd As Gold

What Makes A Man from LoveLossDiscoballs l Wild Women from Jessie Maeve Studio l

Pride In London Coection

Cheers To You

Lile Worlds

Pin Up Postage Stamp Cards CATEGORY SPONSOR

What Makes A Man

Wild Women PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 37

Best Humorous Range Best Relations or Occasions Range Best Spring Seasons Range The Henry Cole Classic Award

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B Beesstt

s u o r o m u H Range Finalists

Open to: All humorous greeting card ranges that have been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs which had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

in alphabetical order

Back in a Jiffy from Paperlink l Cloud Nine from Redback Cards l Fun Thoughts from Ohh Deer l Gin & Frolics from Rosie Made A Thing l Heard They're Absurd from Bewilderbeest l Quackers from Earlybird Designs l Simon Drew for Cath Tate from Cath Tate Cards l Swipe It Like It's Hot from Brainbox Candy l

Cloud Nine

Back in a Jiffy Heard They're Absurd

Fun Thoughts Quackers

Gin & Frolics

CATEGORY SPONSOR

Simon Drew for Ca Tate

Swipe It Like It's Hot PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 39

@DANILOCALENDARSUK @DANILOCALENDARSUK

/DANILOCALENDARSUK /DANILOCALENDARSUK

/DANILOCALENDARSUK /DANILOCALENDARSUK

@CALENDARSUK @CALENDARSUK

Independent retailers please contact words & wishes 01942 233201 sales@words-n-wishes.co.uk Independent retailers please contact words & wishes 01942 233201 sales@words-n-wishes.co.uk Info@danilo.com 01992 702900 www.danilo.com Info@danilo.com 01992 702900 www.danilo.com

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B Beesstt

t n e m n i a t r e t Licensed cEtenr or Chara nge Card Ra Open to: All greeting card ranges that are published under licence (based on entertainment properties or character brands) that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs which had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

l

KPop Demon Hunters

Beatrix Potter 160th Anniversary from Hallmark Cards

l

KPop Demon Hunters from Danilo Promotions

Peanuts from Hallmark Cards l Quentin Blake from Woodmansterne Publications l The Richard Scarry Collection l

from Studio Boketto

Snoopy from Hype Associates l Toy Story 5 from UK Greetings l The World of Peter Rabbit l

Beatrix Poer 160 Anniversary

from Museums & Galleries

The Richard Scarry Coection

Peanuts Snpy

Quentin Blake

CATEGORY SPONSOR

Toy Story 5

The World of Peter Rabbit PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 41

Angela Harding is a printmaker working from her rural studio in Rutland. Her works are inspired by her love of birds, animals and the beauty of the British Countryside.

With over twenty fine art blank cards and a selection of six beautiful die-cut cards in the collection, each with branded envelopes, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

E: sales@mgml.co.uk

PG Greetings_Sept26_AngelaHarding_FP_297x210_V1_PRINT.indd 1 42_PG September 2026.indd 1

museumsgalleries.co.uk

Tel: 01373 462165

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B Beesstt

, e g a t i r e H d License , Art or LifestyleCard Range Design Open to: All greeting card ranges that are published under licence based on heritage, lifestyle, art of design properties that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs which had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

Angela Harding from Museums & Galleries l Cath Kidston from The Great British Card Company l Essoldo Design l

Ca Kidston

from Woodmansterne Publications l

Lucy Claire Illustrations from Danilo Promotions

Matthew Rice from Woodmansterne Publications l Morris & Co. from Ling Design l Real Hackney Dave from Brainbox Candy l Royal Academy of Arts l

Angela Harding

from ArtPress Publishing

Mahew Rice

Eoldo Design Morris & Co.

Lucy Claire Iustrations

CATEGORY SPONSOR

Real Hackney Dave

Royal Academy of Arts PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 43

Introducing Little Wonders A brand-new collection of 6 stunning cards created for card senders ever ywhere

With over 100 brand new designs to choose from

See over 100 new designs in our new Spring Seasons 2027 Collection at Autumn Fair. Visit us at Stand 8H32 0115 850 7490 | sales@theartfile.com | theartfiletrade.com

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B Beesstt

s ChristmaR e g n a r e t Coun Open to: All single Christmas card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs which had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

l

Christmas Dreams

A Cup of Tea Christmas Pop-ups from Alljoy Design

Christmas Dreams from Rush Design l Christmas Magic from Five Dollar Shake l The Curious Inksmith from Ling Design l Happiness from Raspberry Blossom l Louise Mulgrew Christmas Collection l

from The Art File

A Cup of Tea Christmas Pop-ups

l

The Natural World Christmas from Ohh Deer

l

Reflections from Paperlink

Happine

Christmas Magic The Curious Inksmi

Louise Mulgrew Christmas Coection CATEGORY SPONSOR

Reflections The Natural World Christmas PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 45

CoLo Ad 210x297.pdf

2

01/07/2026

15:20

The pairing that always belonged together Autumn Fair and Glee come together for 2 days on the 8th & 9th September 2026.

Scan to find out more

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B Beesstt

s ChristmaP k c a r o Box Open to: All Christmas boxes or packs that had been launched to UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026. These could be branded, own brand or charity products.

Finalists

in alphabetical order

Charity Christmas Packs from Ohh Deer l Christmas Card Packs l

Christmas Card Packs

from Laura Darrington Design

Christmas Magic from Five Dollar Shake l Elle Boxed Christmas l

from Belly Button Designs

Luxury Christmas Boxes from The Art File l Luxury Collection from Ling Design l Royal Academy of Arts from ArtPress Publishing l Showcase from Ling Design l

Charity Christmas Packs

Luxury Christmas Boxes

Christmas Magic Ee Boxed Christmas

Luxury Coection CATEGORY SPONSOR

Showcase Royal Academy of Arts PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 47

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B Beesstt

e g n a R e t Cu Open to: All cute greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs which had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

Bijou by Louise Mulgrew from The Art File l British Wildlife from Laura Skilbeck l Head In The Clouds from Little Roglets l Little Trinkets from Earlybird Designs l Marmalade Skies from Ginger Betty l Pun Fun from Citrus Bunn l Tiny Fluffs from Lola Design l The Wildlife from Ling Design l

British Wildlife

Bijou by Louise Mulgrew

Marmalade Skies

Head In The Clouds Lile Trinkets

Pun Fun CATEGORY SPONSOR

The Wildlife Tiny Fluffs PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 49

WOO HOO - WE ARE UP FOR

FOUR HENRIES! Best Contemporary Trend RANGE

Best Relations & Occasions RANGE

Best Contemporary Words & Sentiments Range

Best Photographic Range

A big thank you to all of the lovely judges who gave us their vote...

It means the world to us and we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed until the big night!

stormyknight.orderspace.com | hello@stormyknight.co.uk | 0117 909 8684 | Henries 26 ad_FP_Stormy Knight.indd 1 50_PG September 2026.indd 1

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B Beesstt

y r a r o p m e t n Co Words atnsdRange Sentimen Open to: All contemporary ‘words and sentiments’ greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026.

In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

Above Board from Stoats & Weasels l Book Stacks from Two For Joy Illustration l Box Office from Stormy Knight l Fox Under The Moon from The Art File l Opening Up l

Bk Stacks

from Emotional Rescue in collaborations with Paper Salad

Rude Studio from Earlybird Designs l Say It Bright from Paper Salad l Thoughtful Occasions l

Above Board

from Fox Under The Moon

Opening Up

Box Office Rude Studio

Fox Under The Mn

CATEGORY SPONSOR

Say It Bright

Thoughul Occasions PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 51

Nominated for Best Traditional Words and Sentiments Range ard fo r w lo o k oth o n e, b s u a o ow as y l o kn 'l And u joy t e yo w it h e li f h t o t me! r o co l yo u ye t t it f il e s t is May b e OU th GY HIN WIS

share hearts

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Happ Every

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CODE 60

Our Best Selling Range NOW AVAILABLE IN OPEN AND OCCASIONS

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B Beesstt

s d r o W l a n o i t Tradi iments and Sent Range Open to: All traditional ‘words and sentiments’ greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026.

In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that have been launched during the aforementioned dates should be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

Good Grace from Hallmark Cards l Head in the Clouds from Little Roglets l Heartfelt from Ling Design l Heartfelt from Words 'n' Wishes l Marmalade Skies from Ginger Betty l Month You Were Born l

Head in e Clouds

from International Cards & Gifts

Thinking Out Loud from Pigment l The Two of Us from UK Greetings

Gd Grace

l

Marmalade Skies

Hearelt Mon You Were Born

Hearelt

CATEGORY SPONSOR

The Two of Us Thinking Out Loud PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 53

PAINTWORKS BE

AUTIFUL BLA

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jamesellis 1% of your purchase helps fund environmental sustainability projects learn more at jamesellis.com & onepercentfortheplanet.org

Tel: 020 7231 2923 Email: info@art-press.co.uk art-press.co.uk

‘Best Licensed Heritage, Lifestyle, Art or Design Card Range’

‘Best Christmas Box or Pack’ The Royal Academy Collection

The Royal Academy Collection

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e g n a R t r A Open to: All art (fine art, contemporary and illustrative, but not photographic) greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Countryside Walks

Finalists in alphabetical order

l

The Botanist Collection from The Great British Card Company

Countryside Walks from Jenna Crush Illustration l The Leaf Paul Cleden l

from Woodmansterne Publications

Paintworks from James Ellis l The Selkie Set from Sara Willia Landscapes l Shapes of Kirinuki from Heyyy l Soleil from Lola Design l Sports and Leisure Collection l

The Botanist Coection

from Design Smith

The Selkie Set

The Leaf Paul Cleden Paintworks

Shapes of Kirinuki CATEGORY SPONSOR

Soleil

Sports and Leisure Coection PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 55

Proud to be finalists for

‘Best Photographic Rang e’ and ‘Best Service to the Independen t Retailer’

www.abacuscards.co.uk

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Tel: 01638 569050

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Email: info@abacuscards.co.uk

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c i h p a r g o t o h P Range Open to: All photographic greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

Anna Cake Couture from Stormy Knight l Bamboozle from Woodmansterne Publications l BBC Gardeners' World from Abacus Cards l David Gilliver’s It’s A Small World l

Bambzle

from Woodmansterne Publications

Hot Cakes from Ornament Art l The New London Squares l

from Eliot Siegel & The British Art Gallery

Picture This from Brainbox Candy l Say Cheese from Ohh Deer l

Anna Cake Couture

Hot Cakes

BBC Gardeners’ World The New London Squares

David Giiver’s It’s A Sma World

CATEGORY SPONSOR

Picture This

Say Cheese PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 57

ai178661385020_ICG_sept half page.pdf

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Children’s Range Open to: All greeting card ranges aimed at children that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

Children's Crowned from Poet and Painter l Doodle Bugs from White Cotton Cards l Fantabulous from Raspberry Blossom l Kids Pop-up Cards from Alljoy Design l Little Menagerie from Emily Nash Illustration l Playtime from Mifkins l Sunshine from Paper Salad l Taking Shape Circus Kids from Heyyy l

Ddle Bugs

Children’s Crowned Lile Menagerie

Fantabulous Playtime

Kids Pop-up Cards

CATEGORY SPONSOR

Sunshine

Taking Shape Circus Kids PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 59

TM

Something NEW has blossomed...

T H E J O Y Y O U K N O W F R O M O U R G R E E T I N G C A R D S , N O W B E A U T I F U L LY B R O U G H T T O S TAT I O N E R Y & G I F T. After 12 years of creating award-winning greetings cards, Raspberry Blossom is blooming into an exciting new chapter.

Discover Happiness and Stitch & Bloom, two distinctive new collections of thoughtfully designed stationery, journals, accessories and gifts, created to inspire everyday moments of joy.

Visit us at our Autumn shows or contact us to find out more. orders@raspberryblossom.com

+44 (0)1926 257 757

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B Beesstt

y r a r o p m e t n Co e g n a R d n e r T Open to: All greeting card ranges which demonstrate a current trend, be it in subject matter, terminology or production technique, that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026.

In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

Cakes from Two For Joy Illustration l Cerealously Good from Ricicle l Little Trinkets from Earlybird Designs l Mabel from Belly Button Designs l Matchbox from Fawn & Thistle l Planted from The Art File l Pressed & Posted from Stormy Knight l Storybook from The Art File l

Cerealously Gd

Cakes Matchbox

Lile Trinkets Planted

Mabel

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Preed & Posted

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 61

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r o e d a m d n a 3D, H inished Hand-f Range Open to: All greeting card ranges which are either completely handmade or include 3D or hand-finished elements, that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dateschould be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

A Cup of Tea Collection from Alljoy Design l Alice's Garden Cinnamon Aitch l Beija-Flor from Five Dollar Shake l Embroidered Cards from Artebene l Love Meetings from Laura Skilbeck l Message In A Bottle from Alljoy Design l Scout's Honour from Lil Wabbit l Shop Front Peep Through l

Alice’s Garden

A Cup of Tea Coection

from Pear Tree Press

Love Meetings

Beija-Flor Embroidered Cards

Meage In A Bole CATEGORY SPONSOR

Scout's Honour

Shop Front Peep Through PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 63

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B Beesstt

e g n a R e l a M ) r u o m u h n (No Open to: All non-humorous greeting card ranges aimed at male recipients that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026.

In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

Cool Club from Paperlink l Gold Rush from Paper Salad l Huzzah from The Art File l Is This Your Card? from Running With Scissors l Journey from Rosanna Rossi l Mambo from Woodmansterne Publications l Taking Shape Reveal from Heyyy l Twisted Lyrics from Cath Tate Cards l

Gold Rush

Cl Club Journey

Huzzah Mambo

Is This Your Card?

CATEGORY SPONSOR

Twisted Lyrics Taking Shape Reveal PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 65

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B Beesstt

r o / d n a s n o i t Rela s Range Occasion Open to: All relations and/or occasions greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

A Touch Of Glass from Wendy Jones-Blackett l Emma Bridgewater Spongeware l

Emma Bridgewater Spongeware

from Woodmansterne Publications

Gin & Frolics Ages from Rosie Made A Thing l Holly Maguire from Stormy Knight l Little Joys from Raspberry Blossom l Occasions & Relations from The Art File l Shiny Waves from Ricicle l Ticket to the World from Dotty Black l

A Touch Of Gla

Lile Joys

Gin & Frolics Ages Occasions & Relations

Hoy Maguire

CATEGORY SPONSOR

Ticket to e World Shiny Waves PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 67

M U LT I AWA R D -W I N N I N G C O L L E C T I O N O F H A N D C R A F T E D A R T I S A N - M A D E G R E E T I N G C A R D S A N D G I F T W R A P, M A D E U S I N G 1 0 0 % R E CYC L E D C OT TO N R AG PA P E R .

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B Beesstt

s n o s a e S g Sprin Range Open to: All Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter and Father’s Day greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026 could be entered. Entries could be event-specific or cover a number of the Spring Season events.

Finalists in alphabetical order

l

Florini

Chip Chip Hooray Valentine's from Stoats & Weasels

Florini from Rosanna Rossi l Gin & Frolics Spring Seasons l

from Rosie Made A Thing

Hooked On You from Stephanie Davies l Jamboree Valentine's from Paper Salad l Loving You from Stop the Clock Design l Quite Fond from Bewilderbeest l Spring Seasons from The Art File l

Chip Chip Hray Valentine’s

Jamboree Valentine’s

Gin & Frolics Spring Seasons Hked On You

Loving You CATEGORY SPONSOR

Spring Seasons CAT-

Quite Fond PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 69

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W holesale Range Open to: All greeting card ranges sold via the wholesale distributor/cash & carry channel that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

Jolly Pops from Simon Elvin l Love Lilly Relations from Kingfisher Cards l Nova from Kingfisher Cards l Prelude Female Range from Tiger Feet l Shine Bright from Simon Elvin l The Studio Collection from Simon Elvin l

Joy Pops Prelude Female Range

Love Liy Relations

Shine Bright

Nova The Studio Coection

CATEGORY SPONSOR

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 71

We’re thrilled to have three ranges in the final of the Henries Best Gift Wrapping Collection this year.

Thanks so much to all of the retailers who voted for us and good luck to all the finalists!

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s g n i p p a r w t f i G Range Open to: All giftwrapping ranges (either ranges of sheet wrap or collections of co-ordinated wrappings such as boxes, bags, ribbons etc) that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026.

In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Finalists in alphabetical order

l

Eleanor Bowmer

Designers Guild Fiore D Acqua from Deva Designs

Eleanor Bowmer from Penny Kennedy l Giftwrapping Collection from Ohh Deer l Handcrafted Artisan Collection l

from Paper Mirchi

Paper Salad Collection from Glick l Stephanie Davies from Glick l Summer Thornton from Glick l V&A Collection from Ohh Deer l

Designers Guild Fiore D Acqua

Paper Salad Coection

Giftwrapping Coection Stephanie Davies

Handcrafted Artisan Coection

CATEGORY SPONSOR

Summer Thornton

V&A Coection PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 73

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TThhee

e l o C y r n e H d r a w A c i Cla

Open to: This award is for ranges that have stood the test of time having been published continuously for at least eight years. All winners of this award enter The Henry Cole Hall of Fame. The 2026 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, Photo Captions from Cath Tate Cards, Pizazz from Nigel Quiney, Pop-Ups from Second Nature, Quentin Blake from Woodmansterne, Quicksilver from Wendy Jones-Blackett, Rainbow from Ling Design, Swing Cards from Santoro and Virtual Safari from Emotional Rescue.

Boofle

from UK Greetings Launched: 2008 From a capsule collection of general birthday cards launched in 2008, to a multi-million cross category brand, Boofle’s trajectory has been truly incredible. The brand has had another fantastic year with an incredibly wellreceived stand at Brand Licensing Europe and record greeting card sales. Boofle’s success is driven from investment in product development, with over 500 new designs launched each year from a range of style guides, to celebrate all of life’s important moments. Whether it is a new baby, a 90th birthday, a driving test pass or supporting your team in the World Cup – Boofle is there to celebrate with you every step of the way!

All of this is delivered sustainably, which is true to Boofle’s origin story of a pup knitted with love from Grandad’s old woolly cardy; Boofle really is the poster pup for reducing, reusing and recycling! However, arguably, the brand’s greatest strength is the continued ability to express emotion and connection which is, after all, the essence of a great greeting card. This is achieved through the consistent warmth and individuality of Boofle poses combined with lovely copy; in 18 years of design and patterning changes, Boofle has retained what is most important - making people feel loved.

Elle

from Belly Button Designs Launched: 2016 Each Elle design is drawn by hand, printed onto beautiful board and finished with foils and emboss to the highest standards and is printed in the UK to the highest specifications helped by forward thinking printers.

The 165mm x 165mm envelope was in fact the starting point as GF Smith produced the very first envelopes in beautiful Colourplan paper and the Elle cards were made to fit the envelope.

CATEGORY SPONSOR

74 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Finalists in alphabetical order

Boofle from UK Greetings l Elle from Belly Button Designs l Fabulous from Dean Morris Cards l Flutter on the Breeze from Molly Mae l Gin & Frolics from Rosie Made A Thing l Jamboree from Paper Salad l Norbert & Val from Emotional Rescue l Words of Wisdom from Dandelion Stationery l

The board (always high quality and a soft warm white with a slight texture) reflected the handmade feel of the range and as this card size as a range has evolved over time for Belly Button.

Founder and designer Rachel Hare is the driving force of this and has developed this for Belly Button over the last 10 years as Elle.

Elle has been sold into multiple retailers and national accounts over the last 10 years and has many admirers and loyal followers.

It is also popular with export customers too and has been printed in many languages! Its true home is with the independent card retailers, where they know it can command the shelf space while bringing in a strong margin.

It has been held up as a range to follow from a design perspective and for the recipient one to keep and treasure.

Elle stands the test of time as a market leader as it always reinvents itself to keep the retailers engaged with its beautiful new designs, everyday or seasonal.

Elle needs to be recognised for its longevity, originality and beauty - it has stood the test of time because it is truly original and has created a 'look' which has influenced the greeting card industry for over a decade.

Elle continues to evolve and is a true classic.

Fabulous

from Dean Morris Cards Launched: 2006 Fabulous has been at the heart of Dean Morris Cards since its launch in Spring 2006, setting the tone for what would become the brand’s distinctive visual and editorial style.

Over the past two decades the range has built up a catalogue of nearly 600 designs, with a carefully curated selection of around 170 currently in circulation. It’s a living range; regularly edited, refreshed, and reenergised with new designs introduced several times a year.

Despite this constant evolution, the original first design, “F** off back to economy”, has never left the collection. It remains there out of a mix of nostalgia, stubbornness, and because it still does exactly what it’s supposed to do. The design also earned a place in the Noughties section of the GCA’s centenary celebrations.

Although the visual style has naturally shifted over time, the

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essence of Fabulous has remained unchanged: striking retro imagery paired with concise, punchy copy. That clarity of idea is what continues to make the range feel relevant.

Fabulous is often labelled as a rude range, and while that reputation is well earned in places, it doesn’t tell the whole story.

Alongside the more outspoken designs sits a broad mix of playful, witty, and accessible cards that appeal to a wide audience. It’s always rewarding to see new stockists realise this and engage with the full breadth of the collection.

The cheekier designs are still very much part of the range’s identity.

They resonate strongly with customers looking for something less conventional. These are cards that reflect real relationships, humour, and personality rather than traditional sentiment. And if they occasionally raise eyebrows, that’s part of their charm.

Some 20 years on, Fabulous remains a defining part of the business and I’m incredibly proud of its achievements and longevity.

Flutter on the Breeze from Molly Mae Launched: 2016

Flutter on the Breeze has been a bestselling range for over 10 years and has become instantly recognisable as Molly Mae, thanks to its truly distinctive look.

Originally launched with just 12 spring designs, we knew from the moment that first delivery arrived that sitting alongside its smaller version, Carried on the Breeze, that it marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for us. We only wish Instagram Reels had existed back then, because the squeal of excitement as we opened those boxes is something we would have loved to share.

Our sympathy cards have long been among our best sellers, with their gentle colour palettes and thoughtful wording helping to bring warmth and comfort at the saddest of times.

Some of the most popular designs within the range are the florals, featuring statement single stems of alliums, dahlias and cosmos. We take great pride in using finishes that enhance the artwork in a subtle and refined way, choosing delicate embossing and fine-detail foiling to lift the hand-drawn illustrations, allowing them to shine beautifully on both a card rack and a mantelpiece.

Ten years on, the range continues to evolve. Each spring we launch new designs, with floral Mother’s Day collections remaining firm favourites among our stockists, alongside many other captions including Wedding, Baby, Sympathy and Birthday. We keep the range feeling fresh through new illustrations, subtle font refinements and gentle updates to the colour palette and still today, every delivery still feels just as exciting as the very first.

Gin & Frolics

from Rosie Made A Thinge Launched: 2015 The Gin & Frolics range launched in 2015 and won its first Henries award for humour a year later in 2016. Since then it’s won a total of eight Henries (four of which were for Best Humorous Range) and it’s still going strong today.

Over the years, we’ve added new characters and lots more silliness, but the naïve style of illustration remains.

The humour is relatable and moves with times.

There are now 60 designs in the range.

Jamboree from Paper Salad Launched: 2018

Since its launch in early 2018, Jamboree has become the most successful range in the company’s history. It continues to perform exceptionally well both in the UK and internationally, with strong global distribution and enduring customer appeal that has never wavered.

At launch, the collection stood out for its innovation and originality, becoming one of the first ranges in the market to feature such deep blind embossing combined with richly textured background finishes.

What began as a small collection has since grown into a hugely successful range of over 500 designs, continually evolving while maintaining its recognisable identity. Nearly a decade on, Jamboree remains one of the publisher’s strongest performing and most commercially successful ranges, continuing to go from strength to strength year after year.

Norbert & Val

from Emotional Rescue Launched: 1994 Norbert and Val is one of the grand masters of greeting cards.

First established in 1994(ish) this range went from strength to strength, storming into seasons and occasions and relations, taking no prisoners.

To this day, Norbert and Val has some of the best selling designs in our portfolio. Unfortunately, its creator Mike Atkinson passed away earlier this year, but Emo is determined to carry Norbert and Val on in his memory.

Words of Wisdom from Dandelion Stationery Launched: 2014

Words of Wisdom launched in 2014 with a simple ambition: pair charming, hand-drawn illustrations with sentiments that speak the way real people actually speak - warm, witty, and occasionally irreverent. More than a decade on, the collection remains a cornerstone of our range and a consistent favourite with retailers and card-buyers alike.

The collection grew out of a belief that greeting cards should feel personal, not mass-produced - show the recipient that you know them. Every design begins as a hand-drawn sketch, giving each card a distinctive, slightly imperfect character that stands apart from digitally generated artwork. From the outset it focused on contemporary language - phrases people genuinely use.

Words of Wisdom has never stood still. The range is reviewed regularly, retiring designs that have had their day and introducing fresh illustrations and sentiments that reflect how life - and humour - have moved on. Topics now span everything from air fryers to menopause, keeping the collection relevant to each new wave of card-givers while staying true to the hand-drawn, tonguein-cheek spirit that defined it from the start. Captions and topics are on trend.

Words of Wisdom has proven that cards with genuine personality - cards that make people smile, nod in recognition, or laugh out loud - never go out of style.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 75

We’re a HENRIES Finalist!

A huge thank you to everyone who voted for us!

We’re also thrilled to celebrate our talented designer, Meg, a finalist for the Lynn Tait Young Designer Award!

Henry Cole

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t n e d n e p e d n I e  o t e c i v r Se d r a w A r e l i Reta B Beesstt

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 retail stockists, 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.

Finalists in alphabetical order

Abacus Cards l The Art File l International Cards & Gifts l Jonny Javelin l Ling Design/The Great British Card Company (GBCC) l Noel Tatt l Ohh Deer l Paper Salad l Paperlink l UK Greetings l Woodmansterne l Words ’N’ Wishes l

CATEGORY SPONSOR

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 77

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Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk

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A selection of new products that will be on show at Autumn Fair (6-9 September at Birmingham’s NEC).

Wrap Up Warm The Becky Bettesworth collection from The Eco-friendly Card Co takes inspiration from the travel posters from the 1930s with a contemporary twist. The new designs include bracing winter walks on the beach and wild swimmers complete with woolly hats. Printed on a smooth, uncoated 100% recycled board and supplied with 100% recycled white textured envelopes, the cards are available either in cornstarch bags or with a card clasp label.

The Eco-friendly Card Co 01626 369269 www.ecofriendly.cards Autumn Fair Stand 8F37

Spring Loaded Autumn Fair will be the last chance to order The Art File’s Christmas 2026 collection, which comprises over 190 brand-new designs across charity cards, luxurious boxed cards and handfolded 3D pop-ups. The Art File will also be showcasing its Spring Seasons 2027 collection, which includes over 100 brandnew designs.

The Art File 0115 850 7490 www.theartfile.com Autumn Fair Stand 8H32

Positive Sunshine Sunshine Lane is launching Patchwork Positivity occasions and milestones greeting cards to complement its award-winning stationery collection. Bringing a fresh twist to traditional patchwork, the card designs pair vibrant checkered grids, gold foil and bold stitching with cheerful icons representing specific life chapters and joyful moments.

Sunshine Lane 07985 310456 www.sunshinelane.co.uk Autumn Fair The Greetings Lab Stand 8G50-H51

Shining Brightly Following the success of the original 12 designs, Marina B has added a dozen new cards to its much-loved Reflections collection. Charming hand-drawn illustrations meet bold, textured foil and crisp detailing for a fresh, contemporary finish.

Marina B 01858 434462 www.marinab.co.uk Autumn Fair, Stand 8F35.

Tipsy Turvey Tipsy Vanilla is launching newness for birthday, Christmas and everyday occasions. These include additional designs for its flame-foiled Cake Topper range, where sports, hobbies and interests meet themed birthday cakes, as well as adding to the boldlettered Flutters range marking the big moments in life.

Tipsy Vanilla 07527 580333 www.tipsyvanilla.co.uk Autumn Fair The Greetings Lab Stand 8G50-H51

Freshly Baked Bread Twenty Birds’ new Baked Goods range looks good enough to eat. These die-cut cards, printed on 320 gsm board, are accompanied by a ‘bread bag’ glassine envelope (or purple envelope option). The transparent bag has the option to conceal the design of the card to sender.

Twenty Birds gabbmonica@gmail.com www.twentybirds.co.uk Autumn Fair The Greetings Lab Stand 8G50- H51

Deeply Felt As well as a new Cath Kidston stationery range and a new Literary 3D card collection, Ohh Deer has unveiled 20 brand-new Silly Beans key/bag charms. From mysterious deep-sea creatures and cheeky farmyard friends to crafty art supplies with attitude, every Silly Bean is handcrafted in Nepal using premium 100% New Zealand wool.

Ohh Deer Autumn Fair Stand 6C08-D09.

Top Drawer Stand Stand H31 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Some delightful new products that will be on show at Top Drawer (13-15 September at London’s Olympia).

Coasting Along James Ellis will be showing over 80 new products at Top Drawer. These include additions to its Square Peg and Minnows card collections as well as some new coaster and notebook ranges, featuring beautiful coastal designs from the company’s Offshore and Paintworks card designs. Its Christmas and Spring Seasons ranges have also had a big refresh.

James Ellis 0117 9277667 www.jamesellis.com Top Drawer Stand S20

Yummy Yummy

Animal Magic

Lottie Murphy's die-cut Delicious collection is welcoming lots of new scrumptious designs. From profiteroles to chocolate gâteau, each card features Lottie's hand-drawn illustrations, distinguished by its own unique shape. The 105mm x 150mm cards are printed on luxurious FSC-certified board, paired with a kraft envelope and packed in a compostable bag.

Lottie Murphy 07716 304741 www.lottie-murphy.com Top Drawer Stand V18

Rebekah Rose Creations will be showcasing a collection of greeting cards which are inspired by the grace of cats, the soul of dogs, and the intelligence of rats. These complement its trademarked Snap-Cat, Snap-Dog, and Snap-Rat card games.

Rebekah Rose Creations 07817785363 www.rebekahsart.com Top Drawer Stand W34

Nature’s Calling

Retro Festivities

Susan O’Hanlon’s new Nature range of 12 designs features hand-painted artwork of British flowers, bugs, butterflies and plants.

These elegant art cards, all 135mm x 165mm, are printed on high-quality FSC board and come with a luxury sage green or cove blue envelope.

Susan O’Hanlon 07984 884697 www.susanohanlon.com Top Drawer Stand S17

Ornament Art has created 15 new Christmas cards starring vintage chemist jars, retro mix tapes, kitsch cakes and the cute festive ornaments. Also, enthused by the recent gift wrap range launch, new Christmas sheet wrap options have joined the line up.

Moongazer Cards Ornament Art 07971 704650 www.ornament.art Top Drawer Stand T29

Shaping Up Heyyy Cards has further expanded its Taking Shape portfolio with a Christmas collection of cute festive designs as well as a Milestone Ages range. The latter features beautifully crafted cake designs that are foiled, debossed and diecut for ages 18-80.

Heyyy Cards 07488 283524 www.heyyycards.co.uk Top Drawer Stand S29

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Some delightful new products that will be on show at Top Drawer (13-15 September at London’s Olympia).

In The Bag Apple & Clover is debuting a gift bag collection featuring 19 fresh designs across four bag sizes. The designs feature stripes, florals and Londonthemed prints. Each bag includes a hook and gift tag and is printed on luxury FSC-certified, unlaminated board, making them 100% recyclable.

Apple & Clover 07790 900976 www.appleandclover.com Top Drawer Stand U11

Christmas Jollies Poet and Painter is launching a trio of new collections plus some new Christmas jollies. The designs in its hand-painted Christmas Framed collection all feature a die-cut window and a jaunty image inside, plus some gold foiling and a snazzy gold envelope for added pizazz.

Poet and Painter 07779 064894 www.poetandpainter.co.uk Top Drawer Stand T18

More Croaking

Mellow Meloo

Lil Wabbit is welcoming 20 brand new designs to its Heknitt frog collection, taking the range to 45 designs.

Featuring Heknitt’s much-loved knitted miniature frogs, the new additions, all 150mm square, cover birthdays, open captions, Christmas as well as Spring Seasons cards. Each is supplied with a kraft envelope.

Lil Wabbit 07825 127775 www.lilwabbit.orderspace.com Top Drawer Stand U19

By Meloo has added 36 new hand-drawn designs to its card collection - 19 Christmas and 17 everyday ones.

Featuring the illustrations of British artist Melissa Greenwood, the festive designs take a snowy tour of London and New York while the everyday additions celebrate much-loved pastimes.

By Meloo 07799 888806 www.bymeloo.com Top Drawer Stand U28

Poetry In Motion The designs in Dinosaurs Doing Stuff’s new The Pterrible Poetry range each feature a hilariously terrible 'roses are red' style poem relating to love, aging or birthdays, all on a witty dinosaur theme.

Fossils, mirrors, roses and even cheese feature in this range.

Dinosaurs Doing Stuff charlotte@dinosaursdoingstuff.com www.dinosaursdoingstuff.com Top Drawer Stand V21

Autumnal Abundance IC&G is launching over 400 brand new designs in September. Alongside completely new ranges, the launch includes fresh new stylings of favourites, including Year You Were Born and Month You Were Born ranges.

IC&G 01202 897494 www.icgcards.com Not exhibiting at Top Drawer

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 83

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DESIGN TREND… JAPAN

TURNING

Left: From punk to mainstream – The Vapors’ Turning Japanese song and video exemplifies the UK’s love affair with Japan.

Meaningful images

Polite and patient Mark Callaby, cofounder and coMD, Ohh Deer: “Jamie (Mitchell, coowner and life partner) and I went to Japan in May! I loved, loved, loved Japan and I can't wait to go back.

We started in Tokyo Above: Mark (left) and for a few days then partner Jamie Mitchell loved their trip. went to Hakone for a relaxing couple of days with an onsen traditional hot spring, then onto Kyoto, which was by far my favourite place.

Then we went to Osaka and finished back in Tokyo before flying home.

I really wish the Japanese culture was more common in the UK – everyone was so polite and patient and everywhere was extremely clean. Considering Tokyo is the largest city in the world, it's got to be the cleanest as well.

We were definitely inspired and ended up bringing back two full suitcases of purchases, mostly fun Japanese

The Vapors’ 1980s punk anthem Turning Japanese was supposed to be a love song, but ended up as a prophecy as the Land of the Rising Sun has become a massive influence here in the UK. As the appetite for Japanese stationery is growing faster than sushi sales, PG greeting card publishers shared their zen thoughts on this strong design influence.

stationery and blind boxes that Jamie got a little obsessed with.

We already have a Japaneseinspired range, Above: The madness of Eastern Elegance, Don Quijote. that we have with the V&A which spans cards and stationery.

The place is wild too, you'll find beautiful shops and then shops that are completely on acid like Don Quijote. And we also stumbled across shops selling our V&A Neon Floral cards which was fun, and some from Wendy Jones-Blackett and Paper Salad along with others.

I'm not sure cards are that big in Japan, we found some, but it's not on the same scale as the UK. However, stationery is absolutely huge and they love characters on everything.

The whole experience was delicious – from the food, culture, landscape, buildings and it's a shoppers’ dream.

Definitely recommend visiting and now is a good time as the currency exchange is working in our favour!”

Left: Ohh Deer’s V&A cards and other British publishers in Japan.

Yvette Clarkson, cofounder, Heyyy: “My love of Japanese folk art actually goes right back to university, when I’d buy Japanese Above: Yvette and Dan hope to visit Japan. art postcards to frame and put on the wall at my student accommodation.

We’ve never made it to Japan – yet! – but we’ve always loved its distinctive mix of colour, pattern, symbolism and beautiful simplicity, all of which became a huge inspiration for our Shapes Of Kirinuki collection.

There’s also often meaning behind the imagery – symbols of happiness, good fortune, peace, love and longevity – which we think makes it particularly suited to greeting cards.”

Above and left : Two designs from the Shapes of Kirinuki range.

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DESIGN TREND… JAPAN

Wave of enthusiasm David Wertheim, director, Ezen Group and Japanese Gallery: “When we started with Japanese Gallery, Japanese art in Britain was largely the territory of collectors, scholars and enthusiasts.

Today the entry points are everywhere – food, anime, travel, gaming, fashion, museums and design.

What is fascinating is that the new enthusiasm has not replaced the old one. Someone may discover Japan through Pokémon or ramen and then become curious about Hokusai, Hiroshige, samurai history or traditional craftsmanship. Japan has the unusual ability to feel ancient and futuristic at the same time. That makes it endlessly renewable for new generations.

For us, the most exciting development is not simply that more people like Japan – it is that they increasingly want to understand the stories behind the images, objects and traditions and we have become one of the key players in the UK through the various roles we carry out here.

Ezen offers an unusual vantage point – its roots lie in Japanese Gallery, established in London in 1977 as a specialist dealer in original Japanese woodblock prints. That expertise expanded into the creation of our design and publishing studio with the creation of Ezen in 2010, developing one of the company’s largest and most recognisable ranges around Japanese art and culture.

Above: Ezen’s frog has gone global.

People who encountered Pokémon, Nintendo, manga, anime, and Studio Ghibli as children are now adult consumers, travellers, museum visitors, and parents. Their interest increasingly overlaps with older British traditions of collecting Japanese prints, ceramics, and decorative art.

Historic and contemporary Japan reinforce each other. Samurai, ukiyo-e, kimono, and traditional craft coexist comfortably with gaming, street fashion, character culture and contemporary design. Few national cultures can move between heritage and pop culture with such ease.

Japan has become aspirational lifestyle culture. British audiences increasingly associate Japan with detail, craftsmanship, seasonality, presentation, longevity and thoughtful design – qualities that feel particularly appealing in an age of mass production and digital saturation.

The institutional relationship is strengthening. The UK and Japan are actively expanding cultural, and people-to-people ties.

The UK Government’s MUSUBI initiative, launched in 2025, is designed to deepen connections across education, culture, business, and future leadership.

Museums are helping to take Japan further into the

86 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Above and left: David lectured on Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave in 2004.

mainstream. The British Museum’s major Samurai exhibition earlier this year explicitly connected historic warrior culture with the samurai’s continuing influence on fashion, film and gaming – a clear example of how traditional and contemporary Japan now meet within mainstream cultural institutions.

Ezen contributes merchandise and continues to do so with a significant offering of its core range, bringing the company’s Japanese visual research into one of Britain’s leading cultural institutions.

Our work has also been shared on the Ambassador of Japan’s social media in the UK. A sumo-season design reposted by the Ambassador subsequently reached a very large audience. Ezen’s published account records 3.3million views – a striking example of Japanese imagery travelling between institutional, popular and digital culture.

In particular, our Ezen Frog is now stocked up and down the country. Our Japanese mascot has now jumped over the pond and launching across the USA. Today we also have our non-profit division, Ezen Foundation, which fosters a deeper understanding of the culture. Part of this is the narrative of Hiroshima and, in September, we are hosting the Governor of Hiroshima during her three-day tour of the UK. The exhibition that we host and the collaborations we forge with organisations in the UK, is to bring about an understanding of one of the historical events of Japan, while showcasing how multicultural and inviting Japan is. What many of our stockists are unaware of, is that by being our stockist, they are supporting us with this work which impacts so many people.”

Below: Merging iconic Japanese art with the UK.

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DESIGN TREND… JAPAN

TV stardom Fay Martin, owner, Fay’s Studio: “Japan is my absolute favourite special interest, I’ve studied Japanese art and culture for a couple of decades, and it plays a huge role in everything I do as greeting card artist and publisher – I was in Japan in spring 2024 for the trip of a lifetime.

Arriving at Haneda airport, a TV crew came over to interview me about why I was in Japan Above: Fay with Mount Fuji. and why I loved Japan, so I sat with their camera and microphone, and showed them my greeting cards that are stocked in the famous Ito-Ya stationery store in Tokyo, and they were intrigued, so I was on Japanese TV at some point!

They love stationery and really studied my work so closely, it was quite an intense and random experience.

I was given my first kimono when I was 15 Below: Deer and blossom and this sparked my interest in a culture so with Japanese deer and blossom. unique and different from western life. I adored The Great Wave and work by other woodblock artists in my teenage years so a trip to Japan became my focus.

As an autistic person, I was captivated by a country that was able to develop in its own way by being isolated for hundreds of years, living in a world I perhaps didn't feel I fitted into.

I’m drawn to the Buddhist connection to Earth, art that is entirely focused on capturing the planet, tsunamis, volcanos, which appealed also to my autistic nature – then mix this with their endless sense of youthful joy in their character, mascots for every place and the respectful nature they have for guests and customers. You can feel a sense of fun and care wherever you are in Japan.

The culture appeals to our peaceful sentiment allowing us to slow down and embrace a quiet mindful moment in their temples, while challenging western norms, loosening our stiff upper lip to engage with their never-ending joy in fun, the wabi-sabi philosophy of treasuring what is broken, preserving nature – a completely different way of life.

As an artist, working in isolation has allowed me to develop my own style, and I directly associate this with my adoration of studying Japanese art, language and culture. I Below: Fay’s designs are heavily influenced. think they also preserve nature in the way I wish we all would – and no littering!

In the Western world I think we will continue to draw inspiration from the East as we struggle with our own disconnection from Earth. I think we look east to learn from a culture that has survived and learned how to work in its own way.”

Above: Sakura Heights covers cards and wrap.

Heights of popularity Annabel Easton, marketing manager, The Art File: “Japan has been growing in popularity for years, and it’s not difficult to see why. It’s a destination enriched in culture, with unbeatable historical cities, beautiful nature, and a high-speed railway, meaning you can easily traverse the entire country.

It’s famous for its cherry blossom season, its history and architecture, and the beauty of the tropical southern coastal islands.

It’s clean and safe and has become a major destination for people of all ages – last year, Japan reportedly welcomed over 42million tourists, and this year it has been so popular it recently increased its tourist tax to manage sustainable tourism and protect popular historical sites.

Many factors could have shaped Japan’s growing popularity.

Aside from its major appeal as an affordable and unique destination, it’s home to many media icons, such as the famous Ghibli studio and museum, it has a big K-pop presence; and it’s the home of Nintendo.

At The Art File, we’ve been thrilled to publish a successful collection of Japanese-themed cards for years. Sakura Heights started as a small series of birthday cards inspired by Japanese culture and has since grown in popularity. We now have Sakurathemed gift bags, notecard packs, occasion cards and more.

Japan is a place unlike any other, and we’ve tried to encapsulate that feeling in our Sakura Heights collections.

I visited Japan back in 2019, and I believe it’s a country that should be on everyone’s bucket list – the architecture and nature sites are outstanding, it’s an incredibly clean and respectful place, and it’s so culturally different to the UK that it really is a breath of fresh air.

I visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Chichibu and Onjuku, and I saw many gift shops with cards, stationery and plush, of course! My favourite part of the trip was visiting the deer of Nara Park, staying in the historic city of Kyoto and visiting the Studio Ghibli Museum.

I plan to go back to Japan, and I encourage anyone who’s thinking of visiting to book the flight!”

Below and right: Japan’s traditional tranquillity contrasts with its vibrant modernity.

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Licence to expand This year not only saw more entries than ever in the two licensing categories of The Henries, moreover the diversity of the brand collaborations was the broadest yet.

With Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) getting ready to welcome visitors at London’s ExCeL from 6-8 October, PG chatted to publishers about how licensing in brands as well as expanding their own IP through partnerships with other companies are attractive growth routes.

With artist Georgi Doig and husband and operations manager Jai Whitehouse running everything at Lil Wabbit you’d be forgiven for thinking they’d only be interested in licensing

Above: Scout’s Honour and Heknitt by Lil Wabbit.

her designs out. But they’ve made strategic decisions which have enhanced their business, licensing in from two completely different international creators.

“The two collaborations took very different forms,” Georgi explained. “Scout’s Honour inspired me to design an entire card range around the central patch of their iron-on merit badges for dogs and cats, whereas with Heknitt, the artwork of tiny handmade knitted frogs was already there, I just needed to 88 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Left and above: Pink Pig is taking baby steps on the licensing front.

Brand Licensing Europe 2026: The Lowdown DATES: 6-8 October, 2026 VENUE: ExCeL, London WEB: www.brandlicensing.eu select designs to create a cohesive collection, and choose seasonal and occasions captions for each.

“The obvious win when it comes to licensing from an established business or creator is that you immediately gain a customer base from them.

This was very true with Heknitt as our cards began selling immediately to his loyal followers – he has 250,000 online!”

Bewilderbeest’s Iain Hamilton has gone both ways, licensing a range of his recognisable humorous cards to Ling Design to access its wider distribution, while also bringing in artists Dan Atkinson and Jimboart expand his own portfolio.

Iain said: “I often get a bit giddy when I see other people's ideas and creations that I wish I'd come up with first. That proved the perfect situation for taking on our first licence from Dan.

“Being a professional comedian meant Dan's captions were absolutely spot on. His humour is not a million miles away from Bewilderbeest's so it felt like a good match – he now has the bestselling card at Waterstones so it worked out well!

“I look for something that will fit the overall feel of Bewilderbeest. I just select things I personally like and think are funny. I don't always know if it’s an on-trend design, but I know a good joke when I see one.”

In addition to the welcome extra revenue licensing out brings without the complications of stock and printing Ian said: “It's helped us learn how bigger companies work and why they work the way they do. Not only that, but having access to people in those bigger companies to ask questions of has affected decisions we've made. This was definitely an unexpected bonus.”

Tache has gone the more traditional route of using known products and characters – Marmite, Smiley, Heinz, Elmer, and Hasbro’s Peppa Pig, My Little Pony and Transformers – for its handmade cards.

However co-founder Pennie Bryant said: “It isn’t simply about putting a well-known character on the front of a card. Every licence has to feel like a natural extension of our brand and resonate with us as founders.

If we don't genuinely love the brand Below: Bewilderbeest’s two collabs ‘in’.

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FOCUS ON…LICENSING

Extending a design beyond the card rack Sarah Lawrence, owner and licensing director for This Is Iris: “For many greeting card publishers and independent designers, licensing is less about a single product and more about extending the life of a successful design and IP. A card that already resonates with consumers can often translate naturally on to giftwrap, stationery, mugs, calendars, textiles, homeware, and seasonal products, creating additional income without the cost of developing an entirely new range.

The starting point is usually identifying artwork with strong commercial potential – designs that are distinctive, recognisable, and capable of working across different formats.

Manufacturers are looking for artwork that retains its impact whether it appears on a card front, a notebook cover, or a piece of Above and below: Georgia wall art.

Breeze’s designs and Beryl Cook’s artwork have distinct Approaching licensing strategically is important. Rather than visual identities. saying yes to every opportunity, publishers tend to focus on products that fit their brand and retail audience.

The same principle applies when selecting licensing partners. Companies with established distribution, good product quality, and a track record of working collaboratively are generally more attractive than those offering a quick one-off deal.

Licensing can happen directly with manufacturers, but many publishers also work through other partners such as licensing agents, or specialist partners who already have relationships with retailers in complementary sectors.

That route can open doors to markets that would otherwise be difficult to reach and allows the original publisher or artist to benefit from expertise outside their core business.

Strong licensing relationships are usually built on communication and shared expectations.

Clear agreements covering product categories, territories, exclusivity, and royalty reporting help collaborations run smoothly.

The most successful partnerships are often those where both sides see the artwork not simply as a design, but as a brand asset with long-term potential.

Ranges with a distinctive visual identity, from contemporary collections such as Georgia Breeze to established art licensed properties such as Beryl Cook, are often the strongest candidates for successful cross-category licensing because consumers recognise the artwork style immediately, whatever product it appears on.

The most enduring licensing partnerships are often those in which artists stay creatively involved, working to bespoke briefs, developing fresh concepts and building a genuine long-term collaboration with their agents, publishers and product partners.” ourselves, it's very difficult to create products that feel authentic.

“Frank (Pennie’s partner) and I have always been huge fans of Mayonnaise and Marmite – we definitely fall into the love it camp! – so designing those products felt incredibly natural.

That enthusiasm translated into the products and, ultimately, to the customer.”

Meanwhile, licensing out is taking the brand beyond cards with Pennie calling the John Lewis gift and stationery collection “an exciting milestone, allowing us to see our artwork evolve beyond cards and demonstrating how our designs can successfully translate across multiple product categories”.

Seeking out new licensing partners is the lifeblood of Danilo’s operations as its licensed cards, wrap, calendars and stationery cover

everything from beloved children’s favourites to blockbuster films, entertainment, sport and emerging pop culture trends.

Licensing director Dan Grant confirmed: “Having a broad mix of licences allows us to offer retailers both trusted favourites and exciting new properties.

“When choosing new licences, we consider a number of factors, from the strength of the fanbase and upcoming content to retailer demand and whether the brand will genuinely connect with consumers through cards and wrap.

While evergreen

children's licences continue to perform strongly, we're also seeing growing demand for gaming, anime, streaming and nostalgialed brands, so it's important our portfolio continues to evolve.

“Many of our longest-standing licensing partnerships have remained successful because the brands evolve and attract new generations of fans. At the same time, newer licences help bring fresh energy to the category and create excitement for both retailers and consumers.”

Licensing is also the whole premise for The Porch Fairies’ brand of whimsical happiness, with the original Nostalgic World inspired by co-owner Fiona Bishop’s childhood Woodland Snap playing cards,

Above: Tache now licences out too.

Left: Marmite started it for Tache.

which led to a deal with Racey Helps and other Medici artists.

Vintage illustrations from children’s books have expanded the portfolio with Holly Pond Hill, Foxwood Tales and Claire Fletcher Art, as Fiona commented: “They’re an instant time travel to nostalgic happiness from springtime to Christmas, with a loyal customer base, and a place in people’s hearts.”

Currently working with two charities, The Wildlife Trusts and Songbird Survival, the Eco-friendly Card Company’s cards, calendars and notecards not only boost their Below: Danilo’s range covers many genres.

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coffers but help the good causes’ own fundraising efforts, while the natural world is also a theme running through the independent UK artists the publisher also licences from.

“It’s important to us to work with charities that share our values, and I think they feel the same,” said Ecofriendly’s co-owner Sue Morrish. “Our commitment only to use recycled paper for all our products, the environmental commitments about how we print and also our choice not to work with brokerage – which is incredibly wasteful – sits well with these charities’ values. It’s also good to be able to give back through the donations collected through card sales and royalties.”

It’s baby steps on the licensing front for Pink Pig, where owner Mabel Forsyth is happy her Three Up sporting cards were seen in store by Hooli Mooli’s founder Terry Taylor, leading to a just-launched first

Above: Pink Pig’s first collab.

Above right: The Art File’s new Herdy cards.

collaboration on mugs, coasters and to-do lists.

She said: “Licensing out is a great way for us to maximise the potential of our images – we have over 1,500 designs, which have already proven themselves as cards, and licensing gets them working harder for us.

“It helps us reach customers we’d never find by ourselves, creates an ongoing revenue stream, a big bonus is no stock, and we don’t have to handle any manufacturing or distribution.”

And Mabel is proactive with Pink Pig’s exhibiting at Brand Licensing Europe in October for the second year running, this time showcasing her Scaly Tales cute baby dragon, YeeHaw characters and fun puns, and the Hootenanny Scottish designs, all ripe for extension on to homeware, babywear and lifestyle products.

Currently publishing over 20 licensed collections, including Sara Miller London, English Heritage, and new releases Sunpatch Cats, Songbird and Herdy, The Art File’s sales and marketing director James Mace believes licensing enables the company to search for specific design styles and 90 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Above: Racey Helps kicked off Porch Fairies’ journey.

Above right: Eco-friendly’s sales help their charity partners.

resources that complement the existing portfolio, offering customers a more comprehensive range.

“Alongside the design content, we look at the wider brand and, most importantly, love to get to know the designer or artist behind it,” James said. “We always see licensing partners as long-term relationships, who assist each other in growing the brands together.”

Licensing can mean different things as Noel Tatt Group has carried the Help 32 licensing since for over 25 years, donating £2.5million to the charity in that time – but the Christmas multi-pack cards are designed inhouse, However, the publisher also has more traditional licences, with RSPCA being the longest collab, then its Bespoke Integrated Planning Service working with other publishers led to a deal with artist Bree Merryn in 2017.

After taking on cute Smudge licensed from Simson Cards three years ago, MD Jarle Tatt added: “We had a request to include Earlybird Designs on one of our integrated plans back in January 2025, we then had a chat with them at Spring Fair 2025, about a particularly vibrant range of neon cards that appeal to a much younger demographic than our usual target audience and quickly established licensing would suit both parties.”

That success led to taking on Quitting Hollywood for the

independent sector after meeting at PG Live last year, before artist Sarah Epsom joined this summer.

Jarle added: “Adding these licences has enabled us to provide most of our customers’ card requirements and enables us to select designs based on sales histories.”

At UK Greetings the diverse licensing portfolio spans entertainment, heritage, art, humour and charity brands, with the Royal Horticultural Society and Disney among the longestrunning, plus more recent collabs Smiley, Mr Bean, Warner Bros, Discovery and LEGO. Inbound licensing manager Lora Madigan said: “Licensing plays a significant role in driving growth across our business. It helps us secure additional space with existing retail partners while also opening doors to entirely new accounts.

“A number of factors influence our licensing decisions. Sometimes the opportunity comes directly from a customer request, sometimes we're identifying a gap in our existing offer, and occasionally it's driven by a strong instinct that a particular brand has real potential within our category.”

Whether it’s providing the perfect card for a Disney superfan or creating a Nintendo card that will always be well-received at a birthday party, Hallmark knows licensing remains a vital and exciting aspect of the greetings category.

And the publishing giant is proud of its broad licensing portfolio that includes Disney, LEGO, Paddington, Beatrix Potter, Winnie The Pooh, Peanuts and Snoopy, plus an expanded Magic Light collection of the children’s book characters from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, along with its increasing range of licensed ornaments.

“Licences are a huge focus for Hallmark,” explained product director Holly Ismail, “affording our offering instant consumer Left: Mr Bean is relatively new for UKG. recognition and Below: Noel Tatt is invaluable expanding its licensing. consumer familiarity, favourite characters, and true breadth, and it’s a privilege to get to step into those licensed worlds to make fantastic greeting cards!”

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FOCUS ON…LICENSING

Right: Brilliantly Brave develop cards with other products in mind.

In contrast to the might of these bigger players, the last word goes to relative newbie Brilliantly Brave, where designer Stuart Cox has used his experience from his original I Like Birds brand to develop the publisherwith-a-purpose with partner and co-owner Jean Pryde.

Stuart said: “Licensing has been part of the thinking behind Brilliantly Brave from day one.

My background meant I already knew the potential for a design to have a life well beyond the product it first appeared on.

“We rarely develop a card range completely in isolation. Quite often I’m already thinking about where else it might go and, sometimes, the process even starts with the product and works backwards into the cards.

“Licensing brings another revenue stream into Brilliantly Brave and supports our wider purpose of funding mental health initiatives but

it also gives the designs reach.

Our licensees have their own retailers, customers, marketing channels and industry connections, so the work finds its way into places we simply couldn’t reach ourselves.

“For me, that’s still the pleasure of licensing, seeing an idea that may have started life on a card become something you couldn’t have made on your own.

“We work from a former farmhouse in northern Scotland.

We can store greeting cards. We cannot sensibly become a manufacturer, importer, warehouse and national sales operation for mugs, calendars and homeware as well and licensing provides a route to do this!”

Above and left: Hallmark has a broad portfolio.

Under one roof Housing licensing-friendly publishers under one roof could lead to conflict but Swan Mill CEO David Byk makes it work well for his brands Ling Design, Penny Kennedy and The Great British Card Company, along with The Gifted Stationery Company.

"Licensing has long been important to our business and remains a major investment across the group,” David explained.

"For us, licensing isn't simply about adding premium names to products. Partnerships must complement our portfolio, offer something distinctive and create opportunities for retailers. We seek brands with strong identities, loyal followings and artwork that works across categories while remaining true to the licensor's vision.

Our USP is creating coordinated collections spanning cards, gift bags, gift wrap, stationery, gifting and more. This gives licensing partners greater exposure and retailers cross-merchandising opportunities that encourage additional purchases. Customers can combine a card with a coordinated gift, such as a notebook or water bottle, and matching gift packaging.

Working with one partner maximises the brand story each season and ensures colours and packaging remain consistent across different products and materials.”

The Morris & Co partnership demonstrates the Swan Mill approach, covering cards with Ling, stationery from Gifted, wrap through Penny Kennedy, and gifting by GBCC – over 150 products all told.

And it’s now going the other way as Ling’s bestselling The Wildlife designs has expanded into gifts and homewares with Widdop And Co. GBCC head of creative Lucy Ledger said: "When considering a new licence, we identify opportunities to strengthen our creative

Above: Sophie Allport from GBCC. Above right: Gifted’s The Wildlife stationery.

Below left: Morris & Co products.

mix. Each partnership must bring something different, whether a distinctive artistic style, fresh humour or a new audience.

Many licensors in our humour ranges featured among The Henries shortlist and finalists, including Dean Morris, Bewilderbeest, Pickled Prints and our newest Bizzie Lizzie, showing we have the right partners.”

For Emma Puzey, business manager at Penny Kennedy, licensing allows the gift packaging business to offer exclusive collections: “Consumers seek brands and designs they know and love, giving retailers confidence in their selections. When licensing into new categories, we seek partners committed to quality, creativity and brand integrity. Combining both businesses' specialist knowledge creates authentic products and new ways for consumers to engage with the brand.”

Acknowledging the work that goes into long-term licensing partnerships, Ling head of design Clare Twigger said they “rely on trust and collaboration”, adding: "Managing colour, finishes and design consistency across categories creates cohesive collections retailers can merchandise together.

“Coordinating cards with stationery, gift packaging and gifts creates a stronger in-store story, improves visibility and helps drive additional sales – and seeing all the products together in a store makes me very proud.”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 91

ART SOURCE

TO APPEAR REGULARLY IN THE

ARTSOURCE

SECTION OF PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS CONTACT TRACEY ARNAUD ON 01234 740 051

Punbelievable edible image chocolate bars are retail-ready with bold shelf appeal, viral-worthy puns, and premium Belgian chocolate designed to spark impulse buys, repeat customers, and social sharing.

HANDMADE IN THE UK

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Background picture: One of the colourways in the Pebble & Posy fabric collection.

Art Source

Kate’s Great

Kate Rebecca Leach is the contemporary artist, author, and surface pattern designer behind UK-based studio Essoldo Design. Reflecting a background in textiles and her exuberant personality, she blends vibrant watercolour with mixed media elements.

In addition to her best-selling books, Kate’s art now graces many other licensed products, including a range of greeting cards with Woodmansterne that are in the finals of The Henries 2026.

“As I sit here, writing this, I’m reflecting on my creative journey over the last six years and feel an amazing sense of gratitude for an incredible transformation of my life. I’ve always been quite an ‘arty’ person, from my love of art and design, Above: The one and only Kate Rebecca Leach. appreciation of culture and history, to my somewhat flamboyant dress sense!

As a child I was never happier then when painting, drawing or making, and this is something that has stuck with me through my teens, twenties, thirties, and now forties! My creativity has had times of abundance during my school, college and uni days, where I was gained a degree in textile design and surface pattern, through to 20+ years of it being dormant when life got in the way. A career at John Lewis (first in sales management and then marketing) led me away from my artistic calling for almost 16 years.

Fast forward to lockdown 2020 and having worked as head of marketing for Woodmansterne for a very happy two years, I was faced with a brief period of furlough. To break up the monotony of the days and weeks at home and feeling a drive to be creative and add a purpose to my day, I picked up a set of ancient watercolours, bought many years before and left to grow dusty at the bottom of a drawer.

From the moment I began painting again I felt a huge sense of calm and contentment, and that’s where my artistic journey really began!

Art is something that’s morphed from a mindful hobby (and a way to calm my busy brain) to Below: A Pebble & Posy fabric collection for a way of life.

Wyndham Fabrics.

Below right: Some of Kate’s designs for Woodmansterne had Woodmansterne that are in The Henries 2026 finals. always been so supportive of my ‘side hustle’, allowing me to drop a day at work to focus on my art, which made the decision to leave in September

WANT TO BE FEATURED?

Middle left: Kate’s first two books.

Left: Australian art brand Etchr has licensed some of Kate’s work.

2024 all the more difficult.

Although since then, I’ve become a published author (three books out currently, and a new one on the way!), a fabric designer, and I have licensed my work across the globe, so I figure I made the right decision! I’m delighted to still be connected with my beloved greetings industry through my card and gift packaging collections with Woodmansterne as well as a new stationery collaboration with the boys at Brainbox Candy. It’s such a joy to visit PG Live and Spring Fair and see my work!

Teaching others has also become a passion in my life, and I regularly share my painting techniques and tips to my social media following, which is now over 300k people! I still remember starting my Instagram, with my target of reaching 1,000 followers feeling so out of reach, it’s scary to think that many people are watching me paint from my small home studio!

Due to this engaged online community, and my books, I’ve been lucky enough to teach workshops across the UK, and art retreats in locations like Morocco, Greece and Italy. My next book is actually based around travel, as it’s another of my great passions and where I gather much of the inspiration for my work.

So, all in all the last six years have been filled with ‘pinch me’ moments, from holding a copy of my first book, teaching a watercolour workshop in the Above signature style pairs abstract and botanical forms with detailed pen Maldives, to seeing my fabric and ink embellishment. collections sold around the world, and most recently being a finalist in The Henries! This is so satisfying to me, from running the stationery department at John Lewis, to seeing my cards stocked there, to having my cards up for a major industry award! I really can’t believe my luck to be living 16-year-old Kate’s creative dream!” can be contacted via www.essoldodesign.com •forKate licensing.

If you are an artist, photographer or verse writer and would like to be considered to appear in Art Source, please contact PG’s Jakki Brown on jakkib@max-publishing.co.uk. This is an editorial feature and as such is free of charge.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 93

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PG ASKED A TRIO OF RETAILERS FOR THEIR BEST SELLERS Lisa Discombe, co-owner of Moments in Gillingham Winning The Retas Best Greeting Card Retailer Newcomer award this year has gone down well with the customers at this Dorsetbased card and gift shop run by Lisa and her sister Tracy Vincent.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Nigel Quiney

Pizazz

Abacus UK Greetings IC&G Paperlink

Rapture Bubblegum Brush & Whiskers Delphine

“These are very easy on the eye with not too many words.”

“I just sold the last one!”

“They’ve taken off very well.”

“Bestsellers.”

“Customers really like these.”

IC&G

Luxury

Carte Blanche

The Great British Card Co IC&G UK Greetings

Me To You Handmade With Love Most Especially For You Wedding Captions Captions

“The male of the species think the bigger the card, the more brownie points; these sell like hotcakes.”

“Luxury ones again in a box, they do well in relations.”

“Some customers like to have a lot of words, so love these.”

“We had a brand-new stand.”

“We have every single caption you can think of!”

Humour

Comedy Card Company Brainbox Candy

General Board Silly

“These have gone well.”

“We’ve just topped up with these.”

Children’s

UK Greetings Noel Tatt Jonny Javelin

Disney General children’s Twingles

“We have a lot of different ones.”

“These are nice.”

“Really bright and good value.”

Adult Ages

Year You Were Born

Right: Board Silly from Brainbox Candy.

IC&G, Words ’N’ Wishes, Cherry Orchard Words ’N’ Wishes

“I absolutely love them here so we do all three companies.”

“We stock relations and ages.”

Art

Heart Of The Garden

General

The Great British Card Co

The Botanist

“Eco-friendly with a lot of local scenes like Glastonbury Tor.” “Very popular.”

Cute

Carte Blanche Noel Tatt

Me To You Cube

“Works across all ages.”

“Lovely selection.”

Photographic

UK Greetings Noel Tatt The Great British Card Co Abacus

Camden Graphics RSPCA Darkroom BBC Gardeners’ World

“Great images.”

“These are good, among our bestsellers.”

“Love these.”

“Lovely pictures.”

Gift Wrappings

Glick

General

“We have an Asda nearby so have gone more upmarket with the more expensive bags, all the tissue paper, and single sheets.”

Right: Classic Pizazz by Nigel Quiney.

Relations & Occasions

IC&G Right: Abacus’ Rapture.

Right: IC&G’s big on Luxury.

94 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Milestone ages

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International Focus

Evelyn Urquhart, owner of Best Wishes in Ellon A long-established family-run indie card and gift shop in an Aberdeenshire town.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

UK Greetings

“My main stock control publisher.”

Right: Paperlink’s Happy As Larry.

Carte Blanche

General Best Wishes Wishing Well

Relations & Occasions

Cherry Orchard The Great British Card Co Noel Tatt UK Greetings

General Ameline General General

“These do really well.”

“Another good seller.”

“They can do no wrong!”

“Great sellers”

Humour

Paperlink

Happy As Larry Fifty Shades Of Green

“Larry can be slightly naughty but they give people a bit of a giggle.”

Children’s

UK Greetings IC&G Jonny Javelin

General General Twingles, Poppets, Signature

“I love these.”

“Just what customers want for children. Both Jonny and IC&G have captions like greatgrandson from one right up to 16.”

Adult Ages

IC&G

Year You Were Born

“Such fun, looking back at what was happening.”

Art

Jolomo Tartan 2CV

Scottish Scenes Scotland ’s Artists

“Scottish scenes people recognise.”

“Lovely artwork.”

Cute

UK Greetings Carte Blanche

Boofle Me To You

“A top seller for everyday.”

“I always have to have these in stock.”

Photographic

Paperlink Noel Tatt

Cutie Paws Cube

“These are really good of animals.”

“These have just arrived and they are great!”

Right: Great captions from Jonny Javelin.

Right: Tartan 2CV’s art cards.

“These sell really well.”

Laura Jackson, owner of Wild At Heart in Tynemouth and Grace & Purpose in Hexham A duo of card and gift shops in the north east which have a cross over of suppliers.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Ohh Deer

General

“The range is huge and they all sell well.”

Relations & Occasions Right: Ohh Deer’s wide range.

Heyyy LoveLossDiscoballs

General Sympathy

“Great on the anniversary and wedding front.”

“There’s nothing like them for sympathy.”

Humour

Redback Cards

“Just great sellers.”

Bold & Bright

Holy Flaps Cloud Nine General

Rachel Ellen Stripey Cats

General General

“Always good.”

“The googly eyes are brilliant.”

Adult Ages

The Art File Paper Salad

General ages Colour Hub, Alchemy, Hunky Dory, Jamboree

“There’s not a bad range.”

“Bold and bright.”

Art

Tunafaluna The Art File

General Storybook

“Very good floral and animal ranges.”

“They’ve just done Wuthering Heights and Sense & Sensibility – just great.”

Cute

The Art File Oldfield Designs

Louise Mulgrew General

“Always a favourite.”

“Just found these, a really nice range.”

3D/Pop-Ups

Me&McQ/Paper D’Art Alljoy Design

Generally Cup Of Tea

“Just amazing.”

“A card which sells well as a gift too.”

Gift Wrappings

The Art File Printer Johnson

General General

“The flat wrap from these two sells really well rolled up in a nice decorative vase.”

Gifts

Oldfield Designs

Prints, tea towels, soaps

“Great local gifts.”

Children’s

22 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

“We’ve just restocked these. People need to be uplifted at the moment.”

Below: Art from Tunafaluna.

Below: Alljoy’s Cup Of Tea.

PROGRESSIVE PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS GREETINGS WORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE 2159

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96 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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CHARITY GREETING CARDS One of the UK’s leading publishers of Charity Greeting Cards.

Impress offers a wide collection of images, including fine art, graphic, photographic and cute.

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Award winning designers and manufacturers of luxury gift wrappings and accessories

THE GREA AT TEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

Tel: +44 (0)115 986 0115 customerservices@paperrose.co.uk www.writefromtheheart.co.uk

Quality & Seerr vice you y can depe de pen ndd on

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 97

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paperbirdpu blishing.co.uk

Great brands, Great service Bespoke planning We can help with all your planning requirements.

From smaller displays to redeveloping complete card departments

CARDS THA T MAKE Y OU FEEL

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help 020 7582 8244 @NoelTattGroup 01227 811 600 sales@noeltatt.co.uk www.noeltatt.co.uk

info@paperlink.co.uk p a p e r l i n kc a rd s www.paperlink.co.uk

info@papersheddesign.com www.papersheddesign.com tel: 0118 9744283

To appear in the Product Directories contact Warren Lomax T: 020 7700 6740 email: warren@max-publishing.co.uk

Te l : + 4 4 ( 0 ) 1 1 5 9 8 6 0 1 1 5 customer ser vices@paper rose .co.uk w w w. p a p e r r o s e . c o . u k

98 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

or contact Tracey Arnaud T: 07957 212 062 email: traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

96-103_Classified New 2026.qxp 25/08/2026 17:36 Page 51

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Market Leaders in

Verse &

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an extensive range of superior quality,

PRODUCTS: World’s leading publisher of high quality plastic greeting cards. Also an extensive range of quality greeting cards covering Everyday, Occasions, Christmas and Spring seasons.

design-led Greeting Cards

BRANDS: Cherished Thoughts, Sweet Sentiments, Buddies Always, Symphony, Thinking of You, Style, Special Wishes, Special Times, Young Editions, Groove Sensations, Forever Blessed, Grey Skies, Classics.

for all occasions, Spring Seasons & Christmas.

METHOD OF SALE: SENSATIONS – Direct to retail XPRESS YOURSELF – Now one of the leading wholesale publisher suppliers in the UK

Method of Sale: Direct to Retail Orders can be placed on our trader site

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We offer a

COMPREHENSI collection of moder n high quality Greeting Cards for

THE GREA AT TEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

ALL Occasions, CHRISTMAS and

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Email: info@words-n-wishes.co.uk Web: www.words-n-wishes.cco.uk

Tel: 01942 233201

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 99

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DIRECTORY OF WHOLESALE l DIRECTORY OF WHOLESALE

EUROPE’S LEADING GREETINGS CARDS, PARTY PRODUCTS, GIFTS, CANDLES, TOYS, STATIONERY AND FLORIST SUNDRIES DISTRIBUTION CENTRE 75000 SQ FT BESCOT CRESCENT, WALSALL, WEST MIDLANDS. WS1 4NG 01922-646666 www.greetingshouse.co.uk info@greetingshouse.co.uk MON,WED,FRI 8.00am-4.45pm TUES,THURS 8.00am-7.45pm SAT,SUN 8.00am-1.45pm

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 103

OBC_PG September 2026.indd 1

20/08/2026 14:59