Bookbinding

Our courses cover:

Bookbinding - develop and build skills in contemporary and traditional bookbinding, gold tooling, decorative techniques and specialised projects.
Book conservation - practical courses on paper repair, leather and cloth conservation, hand tooling and machine blocking.
Book arts - explore both classic and innovative techniques and structures to produce unique pieces in our book art courses.

Our courses take place during the evenings, daytimes and weekends and are offered from beginner to advanced level, some also include talks by contemporary practitioners.

Bookbinding tutor Susan Doggett's exhibition, showcasing her prize winning piece 'The 2018 Almanac for the Modern Medievalist', is on display at the Bodleian Library in Oxford until April 2018.

Any questions? Contact our visual arts team on 020 7492 2700 Monday - Friday between 10am - 5pm.

Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate and advanced

Course Date: Wed 2 May 2018
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street

1 Review(s)

Ideal if you have some bookbinding conservation experience and want to develop your skills further by working on your own projects with advice and guidance. Each term will include demonstrations that focus on a different aspect of book conservation.

Full fee: £299.00
Senior fee: £299.00

Concession: £182.00
Bookbinding: 10 projects for beginners

Course Date: Thu 3 May 2018
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street

4 Review(s)

A medley of projects to introduce you to bookbinding; come armed with enthusiasm and walk away with a stack of small books and a heap of information on materials, tools and techniques.

Full fee: £299.00
Senior fee: £299.00

Concession: £182.00
Book arts: creative paper engineering

Course Date: Thu 24 May 2018
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street

Be creative with paper and develop the 2D page into 3D pop-ups. Learn folding techniques and simple book structures to create and explore your ideas. Suitable for beginners.

Full fee: £279.00
Senior fee: £223.00

Concession: £170.00
Wooden boarded binding

Course Date: Fri 15 Jun 2018
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street

The earliest books were sewn on to wooden boards. On this short course you will learn about early book structures and create a Coptic binding using historical techniques and materials.

Full fee: £149.00
Senior fee: £119.00

Concession: £91.00
Taster day in bookbinding

Course Date: Sun 17 Jun 2018 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street

Dip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the history, materials and craft of bookbinding while making a simple binding to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.

Full fee: £49.00
Senior fee: £49.00

Concession: £49.00
City Lit fine binding: advanced

Course Date: Tue 18 Sep 2018
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street

An advanced level course enabling you to make a full leather binding with a strong creative element. Techniques include leather-jointed endpapers, guarding, edge gilding/decoration, tool sharpening, paring, covering, inlays/onlays and doublures. Not suitable for beginners.

Full fee: £1,149.00
Senior fee: £919.00

Concession: £701.00
City Lit bookbinding course

Course Date: Tue 2 Oct 2018 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street

Step into bookbinding with this three-term course. Learn essential techniques and develop skills in using tools and materials to produce your own work. A stimulating, challenging and comprehensive introduction for beginners.

Full fee: £999.00
Senior fee: £999.00

Concession: £609.00
City Lit bookbinding: intermediate

Course Date: Mon 8 Oct 2018
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street

An intermediate-level course for students with some experience. Learn new skills and techniques. Develop and build on existing knowledge in traditional and contemporary bookbinding, including leather paring and fine binding.

Full fee: £579.00
Senior fee: £579.00

Concession: £353.00