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.
This 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.
Explore 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.
Explore 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.
This 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.