San Francisco Center for the Book

Following Beginning Bookbinding, Intermediate Bookbinding is the final class in the SFCB Bookbinding Certificate Program. You will learn advanced binding techniques to making a rounded and backed cloth binding that is sewn on a sewing frame, and learn to make hand sewn endbands. In this class you will also begin working with leather and make a full leather binding.

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.

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.

Do you know some letterpress basics but still would like more guidance before printing solo? This class will allow you to print a custom project while continuing to improve your skills.

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

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.

This two-hour workshop teaches parents and children together how to complete fun, engaging and educational paper and book projects.

Learn to make prints the size of a credit card from images carved into a variety of media.

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.

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 class 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, polymer plate setup and production, letterpress resources and press maintenance. Students will work with the teacher to design a project for production within provided guidelines.

This course teaches restoration and repair techniques for cloth and leather bindings, using Japanese paper and linen for rebacking and other repairs.

Learn the longstitch, a historical binding in which the stitching pattern is woven in and out of the cover with exposed sewing along the spine, resulting in a truly unique and lovely book.

We'll print a variety of notebook covers on the Vandercook using type and collographs made from found items. Then we'll bind them into notebooks as a class.

Following Beginning Bookbinding, Intermediate Bookbinding is the final class in the SFCB Bookbinding Certificate Program. You will learn advanced binding techniques to making a rounded and backed cloth binding that is sewn on a sewing frame, and learn to make hand sewn endbands. In this class you will also begin working with leather and make a full leather binding.

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

Learn the essentials behind great titling using the Kwikprint gold foil stamper and a simple but elegant way to inset a label on a cloth book cover.

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

In this one-day class, make a delightful pop-up house and its 12 walled gardens, each with interconnecting doors and labyrinthine pathways.

Learn to print on a press small enough to fit into almost and 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.

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

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.

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

Learn valuable tips and tricks on how to make the Vandercook work double for you, making the most of your time and paper. This workshop will involve traditional letterpress techniques including advanced typesetting techniques, preparation of type high linoleum blocks for carving and printing, transferring proofed form to block for carving reverse type or adding color to your work, basic type carving skills, set up and printing of multiple forms at once, and multiple color registration.

Learn to cut patterns into linoleum blocks to create simple, beautiful images on a Vandercook press.

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

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.

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.

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 class 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, polymer plate setup and production, letterpress resources and press maintenance. Students will work with the teacher to design a project for production within provided guidelines.

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

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.

This two-hour workshop teaches parents and children together how to complete fun, engaging and educational paper and book projects.

In the first day of this visiting teacher series workshop, we will explore surface design methods which extend the aesthetic of leather without employing it and fabricate a variety of samples that will greatly expand your surface design possibilities. We will use paints, pigments and adherents in our experimentation, and examine ways to use these materials to solve the problems that are inherent in making a book that is both beautiful and durable.