Workshop Fee (includes materials fee): $225
Click here to apply for a Windgate scholarship

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 in order, 1 through 4.

Click here to learn more about the Bookbinding Core Certificate Program. 

Bookbinding Core 2 :: Flat-Back Case Binding

In this second Core Bookbinding class, students will create what most of us refer to as a hardbound book. In bookbinding terms, it is known as a case binding; where a sewn textblock is glued into a separate structure known as a case. Students will learn more about the mechanics of books as they build on skills from Core 1 and expand both their vocabulary and capabilities in and around the bindery.

Competencies Gained:

• Build on skills from Core 1

Knowledge:

• Mechanism and relationships of the elements of a bound book and case binding
• Bookbinding materials: threads and tapes

Skills:

• Spine gluing and lining, endsheet/flyleaves structure and application, sewing all-along

Equipment:

• Finishing press

 >> Prerequisite: Bookbinding Core 1 <<

 

Materials to Bring: None. All tools and materials will be provided. Students are also welcome to bring any of their own favorite bookbinding tools, and any leftover pastepapers from Core 1 that they might want to use on the book.

Date & Time: Saturday, February 22, 2025 :: 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 approximately three days prior to the start date of the workshop to allow the instructor time to prep materials for class. We recommend you not wait to register, as workshops that don't meet our minimum enrollment will be canceled, sometimes as much as a week in advance.
 

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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 was a great instructor! They were patient, and they covered the material thoroughly. I learned so much from the workshop! I also really liked that all of the supplies were included in the course fee and tools were provided to use during the workshop -- it made it easy for me to learn a new skill. I really liked that the class size was small, because it made it easier to ask questions and keep up with the group."

“Nina is a fantastic instructor, they demonstrate every step very clearly. Great balance at breaking down the various steps to bind the book but also giving us enough space and time to work independently.”

“Nina is clear, eloquent, organized, and patient. They manage time well, and easily attend to each of the students’ needs and inquiries effectively."