The 25 "Most Beautiful German Books" are exemplary in terms of design, concept and workmanship. The selection also takes into account the quieter, solidly made reading book. The award-winning books set an example and show important trends and currents in German book production. There are five winners in each of the five categories "General literature", "Academic books/specialist books/school and textbooks", "Guidebooks, non-fiction books", "Art books, photo books, exhibition catalogs" and "Children's books, books for young people".

The Stiftung Buchkunst, based in Frankfurt am Main and Leipzig, has been critically monitoring German book production since 1966. Its aim is to promote the quality of books in technical and artistic terms. The foundation's main task is the "Most Beautiful German Books" competition. With its competitions, the Stiftung Buchkunst aims to draw the public's attention beyond the content to top achievements in book design and book production and thus help the medium of the book and its form to attract more attention. Books from German publishers as well as books from foreign publishers are eligible for participation, provided that the technical production took place exclusively in Germany.