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.
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. Students will spend the morning making their own decorative pastepapers, then use them in the afternoon when binding their book.
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
Materials to Bring
All tools and materials will be provided.
About the Instructor
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
“The workshop assumed we had no prior experience in bookbinding. Having all the materials was a huge convenience.”
“The steps were clear and comprehensive. There is obvious thought behind the curriculum and the individual skills and tools being introduced.”
“Nina was informative and personable. They were very encouraging and helpful whenever students encountered problems or confusion.”
“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.”
Location
San Francisco Center for the Book
375 Rhode Island Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Registration Policies
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.
Workshop fee
(includes materials fee):
$225
SFCB's Windgate Scholarship Fund is dedicated to providing need-based financial support to individuals interested in learning bookbinding, letterpress printing, and related book arts. Click here to apply.
Prerequisite(s):
None.
Class session:
Saturday: May 31, 2025
9:30am-5:30pm
If this workshop is full, please click this link to add your name to the waitlist. If a seat becomes available, we will contact you.