Workshop Fee (includes materials fee): $200

This is an in-person workshop. Masks are not required for this workshop, though students and instructors are welcome to wear one if they wish. 

Bookbinding Core Certificate Program

The San Francisco Center for the Book celebrates the craft and art of bookbinding. Our Bookbinding Core Certificate Program introduces students to four different binding models, leading them through the history and evolution of bookmaking.  It provides students a comprehensive foundation to delve into the practice of binding and qualifies them to rent studio time in our bindery. Core classes must be taken sequentially, 1-4.

Click here to learn more about the Bookbinding Core Certificate Program and how to receive a discount!

Bookbinding Core 1 :: Coptic Binding

To paraphrase Lewis Carroll, we begin at the beginning. This, the first of our Core Bookbinding series, introduces students to the craft with the Coptic stitch, one of the earliest structures in binding. In addition to coming away with a finished book made by hand, students will also be introduced to the tools and terms of bookbinding. Basic practices and equipment will be discussed as students familiarize themselves with both skills and safety measures needed for working in a bindery.

Competencies Gained:

Knowledge:

• Basic vocabulary of bookbinding tools and equipment
• Basic bindery practices and procedures
• Understanding paper grain

Skills:

• Folding, pressing, piercing, sewing, cutting and gluing

Equipment:

• Board shear, nipping press, hand tools

>> Prerequisite: None <<

Materials to Bring: None. All tools and materials will be provided.

Date & Time: Sunday, October 1 :: 9:30am-5:30pm

Location: 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103

NOTE: Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class. Registration will close three days prior to the start date of the workshop to allow the instructor time to prep materials for class. 
 

About the Instructor | Nina Eve Zeininger (they/them)

Nina Eve Zeininger {they/them/mx.} is a paper artist, budding book historian, and knowledge management professional. They hold a BFA in Photography from the San Francisco Art Institute with a focus on historic processes and an MLIS from Indiana University with a focus on Book History. Their art is concentrated on bookmaking, photography, and letterpress printing and is infused with nature, bright colors, and sarcasm. Their book history research centers on diverse representation and equality in information access, Readers’ Advisory, and inclusive & reparative description.

After growing up in New England, Nina headed west for college and still hasn’t found a good reason to leave the Bay Area. By day Nina’s time is spent making information accessible and connecting teachers and students with the resources they need to teach and learn. On nights and weekends, Nina morphs into a book arts instructor, researcher, writer, and sometimes even a baker & bartender. Of course no life would be complete without a daily game of fetch played with two giant felines. They dream of writing about books professionally and teaching book history and information science at the college level.

Nina Eve’s artwork and bookish musings can be found at ninaevezeininger.com.

Past Student Reviews:

“Nina took us through the process of Coptic Binding with patience and precise explanation. Also, they showed us how to use and organize our workspace and to use tools safely and effectively.”

“Nina took great care in pacing the steps, and making sure everyone understood each one. Making the paste paper was fun too, and I was really pleased with the overall results."

“This was a very well-designed and well-taught class. It was evident that the instructor trained to teach this workshop. Every detail seemed deliberate and essential--no omissions, nothing irrelevant, and all presented at just the right time. The result is a smooth-running course that is a very good value."

“Nina is a really good teacher. They explained things clearly and demonstrated each step of the process. They’re also very patient, which is important.”