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 arts drop-in
Course Date: Mon 14 Dec 2020 (and 3 other dates)
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 -
Book arts: experimental structures
Course Date: Mon 11 Jan 2021
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetThis course is designed to explore ideas of layering, depth and structure using sculptural and theatrical book structures, collage and paper cut-throughs. You will be able to develop your ideas and skills in the making of unique hand made books.
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: £145.00 -
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: £550.00 -
Book conservation and repair: leather-bound books
Course Date: Wed 13 Jan 2021
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetLearn 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.
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: £250.00 -
Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediate and higher
Course Date: Wed 13 Jan 2021 (and 2 other dates)
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: £175.00 -
Book conservation for beginners II
Course Date: Thu 14 Jan 2021
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetLearn how to repair cloth and paper case bindings. Identify and repair different book structures such as hollow-backed books and case bindings; and perform in-situ paper repair.
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: £175.00 -
Print into book intensive
Course Date: Fri 15 Jan 2021
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetExplore the three dimensional possibilities of print. This course will encourage you to develop your initial ideas through experiments with printmaking techniques and bookbinding structures to create an artist’s book. Some printmaking and/or bookbinding experience may be beneficial but not essential.
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: £319.00Senior fee: £255.00Concession: £160.00 -
Bookbinding: box making
Course Date: Fri 15 Jan 2021
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: £145.00 -
City Lit bookbinding: intermediate
Course Date: Mon 18 Jan 2021
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetAn 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.
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: £649.00Senior fee: £649.00Concession: £325.00 -
Artist's book club
Course Date: Mon 18 Jan 2021
Location on this date: OnlineOn 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: £229.00Senior fee: £183.00Concession: £156.00 -
Bookbinding for beginners: simple leather binding
Course Date: Fri 12 Feb 2021
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetDiscover how leather, combined with simple sewing and cutting techniques can create a wonderfully flexible and stylish bindings. Create books with folded and crossed structure covers, and include some decorative elements to personalise your work.
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: £100.00 -
Visible stitches, spectacular spines: experiments in exposed sewing
Course Date: Fri 12 Mar 2021
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetExplore the creative possibilities of visible sewing in bookbinding through structure and materials. Experiment with wrapping, folding and piercing to produce a set of books where the spine is the star!
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: £149.00Senior fee: £119.00Concession: £75.00 -
Try it out: bookbinding
Course Date: Sat 27 Mar 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetDip 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.
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 -
Try it out conservation
Course Date: Sun 28 Mar 2021 (and 2 other dates)
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 -
Start bookbinding
Course Date: Sat 17 Apr 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetDiscover the art of handmade books! Three days of progressive projects will guide you through core techniques and prepare you to experiment, design and craft your own unique books.
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: £149.00Senior fee: £119.00Concession: £91.00
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