San Francisco Center for the Book

Each participant will construct a hand-bound, cloth-covered book that includes written text as well as a shadowbox area. Though resembling a traditional book from the outside, this versatile format offers a flowing sequence from text to a 3D collage box. The final product will be an inventive structure that is both book and box.

Learn bookbinding's basic vocabulary, its fundamental tools and their uses, as well as the materials (paper, cloth, board, and adhesives) and techniques (folding, sewing, and gluing) of the craft. Students will construct four hardcover, hand-bound, multi-section books over the course of the series. Each binding in the series will add to the skills previously learned and integrate new techniques.

Curious about the world of letterpress printing but not sure where to start? Wondering if letterpress printing is up your alley? Get your feet wet in this introductory workshop by pulling your own print off both a Vandercook cylinder press and a tabletop platen press.

Are you one of the surviving letter-writers in the world? Learn the basics of letterpress printing with lead type by making your own personalized letterhead or notecard.

In this workshop, Andrew Rottner will step students through the process of creating one of the most technically challenging handmade boxes, the full-cloth covered clamshell presentation box.

Curious about the world of letterpress printing but not sure where to start? Wondering if letterpress printing is up your alley? Get your feet wet in this introductory workshop by pulling your own print off both a Vandercook cylinder press and a tabletop platen press.

Curious about the world of letterpress printing but not sure where to start? Wondering if letterpress printing is up your alley? Get your feet wet in this introductory workshop by pulling your own print off both a Vandercook cylinder press and a tabletop platen press.

Using digital files that you supply, learn to make detailed, high-quality photopolymer plates for fine letterpress printing.

Open Print Studio is a great way to print your own projects. An expert printer is always on hand to answer questions.

Learn image transfer techniques for paper arts, collage, fiber arts, and more. Explore transfer options using inexpensive materials and go home with a wealth of knowledge and a packet of samples made in class.

Learn to print on a press small enough to fit into almost any studio! This workshop is ideal for beginners, especially those interested in printing cards and invitations.

Learn to maintain your Vandercook proof press and get tips on troubleshooting and basic repair.

A perfect accompaniment to The Ideal Sketchbook, this workshop features a binding inspired by elegant Victorian photo albums—minus their flaws.

Using digital files that you supply, learn to make detailed, high-quality photopolymer plates for fine letterpress printing.

Curious about the world of letterpress printing but not sure where to start? Wondering if letterpress printing is up your alley? Get your feet wet in this introductory workshop by pulling your own print off both a Vandercook cylinder press and a tabletop platen press.

Open Print Studio is a great way to print your own projects. An expert printer is always on hand to answer questions.

Strong, elegant, and pleasing to use, this was the “daybook” of choice for the great Romantic English poets and artists.

This intensive workshop is for those with some leather experience who would like to learn the fundamentals of the most challenging area of book restoration.

Experience the pleasure of working with vellum and learn to make this enduring and beautiful historical structure.

This series of workshops covers typesetting and printing on a Vandercook cylinder press using metal type, wood type, and photopolymer plates. You will have the opportunity to work on your own projects as well as create collaborative works with other students. You will learn advanced typesetting and press lock-up, how to print on dry and damp paper, ink mixing, multiple-color registration, and the basics of press mechanics. After this workshop you will be qualified to rent SFCB's Vandercook presses.

Personalize your next party! Using SFCB's vast collection of type and decorative ornaments, print an edition of coasters of your own design.

Using digital files that you supply, learn to make detailed, high-quality photopolymer plates for fine letterpress printing.

After taking Letterpress Printing on a Vandercook Cylinder Press and Photopolymer Platemaking Lab, take Advanced Letterpress Production Printing to learn the essential skills for creating professional-quality editions of your work. This workshop uses both the platen presses and the Vandercook cylinder presses and covers many topics specific to printing with photopolymer plates. Topics include design strategies for good printing, photopolymer plate setup and production, letterpress resources, and press maintenance. Students will work with the instructor to design a project for production within provided guidelines.

Learn the basics of linoleum-block design, carving, and printing. Led by master printer Rik Olson, you'll create a linoleum print of your own design.

Curious about the world of letterpress printing but not sure where to start? Wondering if letterpress printing is up your alley? Get your feet wet in this introductory workshop by pulling your own print off both a Vandercook cylinder press and a tabletop platen press.

Open Print Studio is a great way to print your own projects. An expert printer is always on hand to answer questions.

Learn bookbinding's basic vocabulary, its fundamental tools and their uses, as well as the materials (paper, cloth, board, and adhesives) and techniques (folding, sewing, and gluing) of the craft. Students will construct four hardcover, hand-bound, multi-section books over the course of the series. Each binding in the series will add to the skills previously learned and integrate new techniques.

The Coptic binding is an ancient non-adhesive binding that has modern appeal. Its exposed sewing is complemented by the variety of materials that can be used to make book covers.

Using digital files that you supply, learn to make detailed, high-quality photopolymer plates for fine letterpress printing.

Learn to print on a press small enough to fit into almost any studio! This workshop is ideal for beginners, especially those interested in printing cards and invitations.

Curious about the world of letterpress printing but not sure where to start? Wondering if letterpress printing is up your alley? Get your feet wet in this introductory workshop by pulling your own print off both a Vandercook cylinder press and a tabletop platen press.

Open Print Studio is a great way to print your own projects. An expert printer is always on hand to answer questions.

Open Print Studio is a great way to print your own projects. An expert printer is always on hand to answer questions.

At long last! Hand lettering for all—even those with the shakiest handwriting. Join us for this innovative and welcoming approach to hand lettering with the talented Mr. Billy Ola Hutchinson. You will learn basic penmanship and letter formation, as well as calligraphy process, materials, and layout.

Curious about the world of letterpress printing but not sure where to start? Wondering if letterpress printing is up your alley? Get your feet wet in this introductory workshop by pulling your own print off both a Vandercook cylinder press and a tabletop platen press.

This series of workshops covers typesetting and printing on a Vandercook cylinder press using metal type, wood type, and photopolymer plates. You will have the opportunity to work on your own projects as well as create collaborative works with other students. You will learn advanced typesetting and press lock-up, how to print on dry and damp paper, ink mixing, multiple-color registration, and the basics of press mechanics. After this workshop you will be qualified to rent SFCB's Vandercook presses.

Make charming, tiny books with beautiful paper scraps from your art and bookmaking projects. You’ll make pamphlets, pocket pamphlets, concertinas, scrolls, and exposed spine sewings.

Learn to make vertical or horizontal accordion books that feature photographs, drawings, collages, pop-ups, and more.

Ever been curious about how to make a book? Introduction to Bookbinding is the place to start. One workshop, five books! Learn basic structures and stitches that every book artist should know in this three-hour workshop.

Learn image transfer techniques for paper arts, collage, fiber arts, and more. Explore transfer options using inexpensive materials and go home with a wealth of knowledge and a packet of samples made in class.

Learn the fundamentals of printing on an antique C&P platen press. Increase production and print on oddly shaped and thick papers, such as coaster stock.