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.
Courses available both in-person and online
We offer a range of courses allowing you to choose between online and in-person learning. All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, you’ll receive the same great City Lit experience. See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.
Browse our range of bookbinding courses in London below to choose your perfect option.
- Try it out: bookbindingCourse start date: Sat 17 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nesta DaviesDip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the history, 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 £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £79.00 - Try it out: bookbinding conservation
Course start date: Sun 18 Sep 2022Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nesta DaviesDiscover 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.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £79.00 - Book arts drop-inCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 3 other dates)
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 £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £69.00 - City Lit fine bindingCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kathy AbbottA unique, higher level course enabling you to make a full leather binding with a strong creative element. Learn specialist techniques such as: leather-jointed endpapers, guarding, edge gilding/decoration, tool sharpening, hand paring, covering, inlays/onlays and doublures. Not suitable for beginners.Full fee £1,379.00 Senior fee £1,103.00 Concession £896.00 - Bookbinding: notebooks and foldersCourse start date: Sat 24 Sep 2022
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 £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £129.00 - Beginners' bookbindingCourse start date: Mon 26 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sue DoggettStart your bookbinding journey with this accessible, 6 week introduction to techniques and structures. Learn how to make simple folded books progressing to a more complex stitched binding and explore the world of handmade books.Full fee £359.00 Senior fee £287.00 Concession £233.00 - City Lit bookbindingCourse start date: Tue 27 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sue DoggettStep 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 £1,159.00 Senior fee £927.00 Concession £753.00 - Book conservation and repair workshop: intermediateCourse start date: Wed 28 Sep 2022
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 £469.00 Senior fee £375.00 Concession £305.00 - Book conservation and repair: paper and cloth-bound booksCourse start date: Wed 28 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Peter SpainLearn 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.Full fee £609.00 Senior fee £487.00 Concession £396.00 - Bookbinding: 10 projects for beginnersCourse start date: Sun 2 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ina BaumeisterAn 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 £359.00 Senior fee £287.00 Concession £233.00 - City Lit bookbinding: intermediateCourse start date: Mon 3 Oct 2022
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.Full fee £609.00 Senior fee £487.00 Concession £396.00 - Bookbinding: gold tooling on leatherCourse start date: Thu 20 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tracey RowledgeThis course is a great introduction to gold-tooling and the creative use of the medium. Learn how to gold tool on leather with various hand tools, using BS Glaire and gold leaf. All levels welcome.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £162.00 - Bookbinding: Japanese books and boxesCourse start date: Thu 27 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sue DoggettExplore the elegant sewing patterns found in Japanese binding. Learn how to fold books, make a fold-out case, sew traditional designs and experiment with creating your own. This course is suitable for beginners.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £162.00 - Hand marbled paperCourse start date: Fri 28 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Royston HawardGet 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.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £162.00 - Bookbinding: box makingCourse start date: Mon 7 Nov 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Learn 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.Full fee £359.00 Senior fee £287.00 Concession £233.00
Can't see a course you want?
Add this category to your waiting list to set up alerts and we will update you when new courses are released online.
Add me to waiting list