Bookbinding Courses in London
City Lit bookbinding provides a comprehensive range of traditional and contemporary taught and workshop-based courses at all levels from beginner to advanced. Students studying on our courses can develop skills in traditional bookbinding, gold tooling, paper marbling, historic and experimental book structures and contemporary fine binding.
Students interested in book arts can explore both classic and innovative techniques and structures to produce unique books and editions. For students who wish to study conservation and repair, we have classes covering paper repair, the conservation and repair of cloth, leather and vellum books, hand tooling and machine blocking.
We run evening, daytime and weekend classes in our purpose-built studio that is well equipped with presses, guillotines, and hand tools and our courses are taught by tutors, who are skilled practitioners, industry specialists and experts in the fields of bookbinding, book arts, fine design binding, conservation and repair.
Browse our range of bookbinding courses in London below to choose your perfect option.
- Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate
Course start date: Wed 27 Sep 2023 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gavin MoorheadIdeal 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 £499.00 Senior fee £399.00 Concession £324.00 - Bookbinding: learn to bind artists' books Course start date: Tue 3 Oct 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sue DoggettExplore the world of artists’ books and learn to create your own book by combining text, image and bookbinding to bring your interests to life. This course will help you develop your creative ideas through the structure of the book. - Book arts drop-in Course start date: Thu 5 Oct 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sue DoggettA one-day, tutor supported book arts workshop. This short course is ideal for students who would like some technical or conceptual advice and the space to work on a personal project. Students will work independently with one to one support.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - City Lit bookbinding: intermediate Course start date: Mon 9 Oct 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gavin MoorheadAn 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. - Beginning miniature bookbinding Course start date: Thu 26 Oct 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Royston HawardExplore the charm of tiny books in this introduction to miniature bookbinding. You will discover the history and appeal of this unique style and make three adorable miniature books to take home. Suitable for beginners. - Try it out: bookbindingCourse start date: Sat 28 Oct 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate RochesterDip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the tools, materials and craft of bookbinding while making an attractive book to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00 - Bookbinding: notebooks and foldersCourse start date: Sat 4 Nov 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ina BaumeisterLearn to make single sheet folded books, a simple multi-section sewn book and a folded slipcase. This weekend course is an opportunity to make an exciting range of notebooks and folders and learn some useful bookbinding techniques. Suitable for beginners.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £139.00 - Bookbinding: box making Course start date: Mon 6 Nov 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ina BaumeisterLearn how to make slipcases and clamshell boxes. Get creative with decorative and plain papers, cloth and board to complete beautiful containers to house your books and objects. - Artist's book club Course start date: Mon 6 Nov 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sue DoggettOn this intermediate course, you will explore the world of Artists’ books and develop your skills and creative ideas in creating books as art. If you are interested in working on tutor-supported, independent projects and you welcome the opportunity to share your work and your ideas with other makers, this course will support your progress and help you to develop your concepts through the structure of the book. Not suitable for beginners.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - Bookbinding: Japanese books and boxes Course start date: Thu 23 Nov 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sue DoggettExplore the elegant sewing patterns found in Japanese binding. Learn how to make books, make a fold-out case, sew traditional and contemporary designs, and experiment with creating your own. This course is suitable for beginners. - Fine binding masterclass I: end papers Course start date: Fri 1 Dec 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kathy AbbottThis masterclass is aimed at intermediate and higher level learners and is designed to develop your skills in making endpapers for fine bindings. You will be taught how to make three different types of endpapers, all with their own suitability for bindings. A chance to improve your skills, accuracy and cleanliness when laminating endpapers. Not suitable for beginners.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £249.00 - Book conservation and repair: leather-bound books Course start date: Wed 10 Jan 2024
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Peter SpainLearn paper repair including toning, lining and infilling, and the repair and conservation of tight and hollow-backed full, half or quarter leather-bindings. Ideal if you have some bookbinding experience. - Beginners' bookbinding: evening course Course start date: Fri 12 Jan 2024
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Royston HawardExplore the exciting world of craft bookbinding in this comprehensive introduction to the letterpress book. Learn about the tools and techniques required to bind a book with unique hand decorated papers.Full fee £389.00 Senior fee £311.00 Concession £253.00 - Bookbinding: artists' book projectsCourse start date: Tue 23 Jan 2024 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sue DoggettExplore the world of Artists’ books and develop your skills and creative ideas in creating books as art. If you are interested in working on tutor-supported, independent projects and you welcome the opportunity to share your work and your ideas with other makers, this course will support your progress and help you develop your concepts through the structure of the book. Not suitable for beginners.Full fee £509.00 Senior fee £407.00 Concession £331.00 - Sewn boards and drum leaf bindings for book arts
Course start date: Thu 15 Feb 2024Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sue DoggettThese book forms are great for making artists’ books and books with content, as they both open flat with little or no restriction at the spine fold. Come and make some models to experiment with, or bring some artwork with you and use this to produce two versatile and creative structures. Some experience of sewing multi-section books will be helpful but not essential.
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