Gutenberg Prize
The 2026 Gutenberg Prize, awarded by the International Gutenberg Society and the City of Mainz, goes to Erik Spiekermann
Erik Spiekermann is an internationally renowned designer, typographer, type designer, entrepreneur and author. Some of his typefaces, such as FF Meta and ITC Officina, are considered modern classics. In the early days of the internet, he set new standards for the global online distribution of typefaces through FontShop, leaving a lasting mark on the infrastructure of digital type design. As well as being a type designer, Erik Spiekermann has created the visual identities of major corporations and public institutions through his companies MetaDesign and EdenSpiekermann. He has also developed typeface solutions for transportation systems and media. He has been committed to preserving the tradition of classic lead typesetting and promoting letterpress printing as a vital foundation of typography and the art of printing for many years.
The jury justified its decision in favour of Prof. Dr. h.c. Spiekermann by noting that, as a pioneer in the field of typeface accessibility, an inspiration to generations of type designers and a significant type designer himself, he embodies the tradition of Gutenberg in both digital and physical-haptic realms.
Nino Haase, President of the International Gutenberg Society in Mainz e.V., and Mayor of Mainz, said: 'We are delighted that Prof. Dr. h.c. Spiekermann, an outstanding mind and pioneer in the creation of influential and style-defining typefaces, is receiving this award following Dr. Valentina Bochkovska. As a designer and creator, he works internationally as a 'typography maniac' and is regarded as a worthy successor to Johannes Gutenberg in his field, which bridges offset and digital printing, having further developed the black art with his pioneering spirit.”
Ms Karin Schmidt-Friderichs, former chairwoman of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association and publisher at Hermann Schmidt Verlag, will deliver the laudatory address.
The ceremony will take place on 20 June 2026, starting at 12:30 pm in the Forstersaal of the Electoral Palace in Mainz (Entrance on Diether-von-Isenburg Street). Attendance is by invitation from Mayor Nino Haase. Members of the International Gutenberg Society in Mainz e.V. enjoy exclusive access.
A block of hotel rooms has been reserved for guests attending the awards ceremony through May 22, 2026. If you are interested, please contact the office.
Remaining tickets for non-members will be available here starting in early June.
2028 Award Winner | Submit a Nomination
You can download the form here.
Please send your proposal to: info@gutenberg-gesellschaft.de
Since 1968, the Gutenberg Society, together with the city of Mainz, has awarded the Gutenberg Prize of the International Gutenberg Society and the City of Mainz for outstanding artistic, technical and scientific achievements in the field of printing. The award was initially awarded every three years, since 1994 then in the annual change with the Gutenberg Prize of the city of Leipzig, which also honors outstanding book art achievements. The Gutenberg Prize is endowed with 10,000 euros.