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 work in our bindery. Click here to learn more about the Bookbinding Core Certificate Program and find out how you may receive a discount on classes.

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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

All paper for SFCB's Core Certificate Program projects has been generously provided by Mohawk.

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Materials to Bring: None

Prerequisite: None; optional: Introduction to Bookbinding

Workshop + Materials Fee: $200.00

Date & Time: Sunday, February 2, 2020 :: 9:30am-5:30pm

Location: This workshop will take place at 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Note: Please read the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THIS WORKSHOP.

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About the Instructor | Sarah Songer

Sarah worked as a bookbinder at Arion Press for ten years where she trained many apprentices in fine edition binding. She is also a longtime design bookbinding student of Eleanore Ramsey and is a former proprietor of Bay Area Book Repair. She enjoys sharing the many bookbinding tips and efficiencies she's learned over the years, and finds her own personal projects most satisfying if they make her laugh.

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Customize Your Certificate Program :: Choose the Date of Your Next Class

Bookbinding Core 2 :: Flat-Back Case Binding