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.
Many of our courses are delivered online. For more information about our live online courses, please see our guide to online learning.
Browse our range of bookbinding courses in London below to choose your perfect option.
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Book conservation and repair: paper and cloth-bound books
Course Date: Wed 23 Sep 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetLearn about the cleaning, repair and conservation of paper in flat documents and in book format, and the repair and conservation of paper and cloth-bound books. For those with some bookbinding experience.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £499.00Senior fee: £399.00Concession: £304.00 -
Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate and higher
Course Date: Wed 23 Sep 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetIdeal 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.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £349.00Senior fee: £349.00Concession: £213.00 -
Book conservation for beginners I
Course Date: Thu 24 Sep 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetUnderstand the structure, collating and pulling of a book. Practise paper cleaning and repair. Learn how to re-sew a text-block, mend damaged corners and re-hinge boards.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £349.00Senior fee: £349.00Concession: £213.00 -
Try it out: bookbinding
Course Date: Sat 26 Sep 2020
Location on this date: OnlineDip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the history, materials and craft of bookbinding while making two attractive bindings at home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £79.00Senior fee: £79.00Concession: £79.00 -
Bookbinding: 10 projects for beginners
Course Date: Sun 11 Oct 2020
Location on this date: OnlineAn exciting range of graded 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.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £289.00Senior fee: £231.00Concession: £176.00 -
Bookbinding: bradel binding
Course Date: Thu 22 Oct 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetThe bradel binding can be traced back to the eighteenth century and although it resembles a case binding, the
techniques used to construct the book make it much more durable. This structure can be adapted for use with
paper, cloth and leather. Suitable for all levels.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £199.00Senior fee: £159.00Concession: £121.00 -
Hand marbled paper
Course Date: Fri 23 Oct 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetGet creative whilst discovering the history and mystical techniques of decorative paper marbling from Suminagashi and Ebru to traditional Western marbling on carrageen moss size. Try out re-creating some historical patterns. Suitable for all levels.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £199.00Senior fee: £159.00Concession: £121.00 -
Bookbinding: box making
Course Date: Mon 26 Oct 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetLearn how to make slipcases, clamshell and Japanese boxes. Get creative with decorative and plain papers, cloth, board and fastenings and complete beautiful containers to house your precious books and objects.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £289.00Senior fee: £231.00Concession: £176.00 -
City Lit bookbinding course
Course Date: Tue 3 Nov 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetStep 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.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £1,159.00Senior fee: £1,159.00Concession: £707.00 -
Bookbinding: rare book design drop-back box
Course Date: Tue 3 Nov 2020
Location on this date: OnlineCut, construct and cover a standard Rare Book design drop-back box to protect and conserve books, archival material or precious objects and artefacts. Great for artwork presentation too!
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £119.00Senior fee: £119.00Concession: £73.00 -
Bookbinding: Japanese books and boxes
Course Date: Thu 19 Nov 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetExplore the beautiful variety of sewing patterns found in Japanese binding. Learn how to fold books, make a fold-out case, work traditional designs and experiment with creating your own. This course is suitable for beginners.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £199.00Senior fee: £159.00Concession: £121.00 -
Try it out conservation
Course Date: Sun 22 Nov 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetDiscover the tools, materials and skills involved in book repair and conservation while trying out some basic
techniques on paper, book cloth and board. No bookbinding experience required and a chance to discuss further
study in bookbinding at City Lit.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £79.00Senior fee: £79.00Concession: £79.00 -
Creative arts for bookbinding I: decorative paper techniques
Course Date: Sat 12 Dec 2020
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetTry out a range of decorative techniques for paper including paste papers, dip dyed papers, rubber stamps and a marbling technique for bookbinding use or as individual pieces. All levels welcome.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £79.00Senior fee: £63.00Concession: £48.00 -
Book arts drop-in
Course Date: Mon 14 Dec 2020 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetA 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.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £49.00Senior fee: £49.00Concession: £49.00 -
City Lit fine binding higher level: vellum
Course Date: Tue 12 Jan 2021
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetLearn how to make a stiff-boarded binding in full vellum. Practise ‘pulling’ (disbinding) a book, preparing it for rebinding, making endpapers, edge-gilding, sewing multi-coloured end-bands, and preparing and covering with vellum. Suitable for advanced level students.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £1,099.00Senior fee: £879.00Concession: £670.00
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