Bookbinding Course for Beginners at NSW Guild - Sydney Short Courses

Bookbinding Course for Beginners at NSW Guild

What you'll learn

Learn the alchemy of bookbinding fundamentals with our handcrafts short courses at the NSW Guild of Craft Bookbinders in Sydney!

For hundreds of years, books were made by hand - now, you rarely handle a book that isn’t made by a machine.

This bookbinding course intends to re-introduce you to the ancient craft of hand bookbinding. If you have a love for books, this course is for you.

This bookbinding course is the official introductory course of the NSW Guild of Craft Bookbinders. It is held at the Guild’s professionally equipped Ralph Lewis Bindery in Garry Owen House, Writing NSW, Callan Park, Rozelle.

The NSW Guild of Craft Bookbinders is a non-profit organisation with the following objectives:

  • To promote and exhibit the art of the hand-bound book
  • To maintain traditional craft bookbinding skills
  • To seek and exert a progressive influence on the design and technique of bookbinding
  • To further the cause of book arts in general

Learning outcomes

You will make:

  • Two single-section stitched booklets, binding the NSW Guild’s publication 'The Alchemy of Bookbinding’ as well as your course notes
  • A single-section cased-in hardcover book
  • A hardcover concertina photo album
  • A multi-section French-stitched notebook with a wraparound cover
  • If time allows, a full paper Japanese four-hole pouch (fukuro-toji) binding

Course content

What will be covered in this beginners bookbinding course?

In this beginners bookbinding course, you will learn:

  • Key bookbinding terminology
  • The core skills of accurate measuring and cutting, paper handling, folding, glueing and stitching 
  • How to use specialist tools as well as simpler homemade devices

Please note, for this workshop students require good hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and the capability and confidence to use sharp knives for cutting. Basic numeracy is required to facilitate accurate measurements and calculations. You should be able to follow verbal instructions and understand health and safety information.

Intended audience

Who is this beginners bookbinding course for?

The course is suitable for those who are starting from scratch and also for those who want to refresh their skills learned from a previous bookbinding course.

Course venue

Ralph Lewis Bindery

Room 14, Garry Owen House
Callan Park, Balmain Rd
Rozelle NSW 2039

Course materials

Please bring to class

  • Your own lunch
  • You may wish to bring an apron. The Guild has clean aprons available for students to use

Additional information

Please note the following:

  • Please wear closed-in shoes as an occupational health and safety requirement
  • All materials are provided by the NSW Guild
  • A take-home beginners kit of tools will be available for optional purchase at a discounted rate
  • For ages 18+

Course testimonials

Course tutors

Avril is a book designer, book artist and bookbinder. After attaining a visual arts degree, the lure of the printed word led her to a career as a graphic designer, specialising in book production...

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Classes Online Courses

Bookbinding Course for Beginners at NSW Guild

<p>Learn the alchemy of bookbinding fundamentals with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/handcrafts">handcrafts short courses</a> at the <a href="https://

...
$260 Limited inc GST / $208 / $221 / $234
Bookbinding Course for Beginners at NSW Guild

<p>Learn the alchemy of bookbinding fundamentals with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/handcrafts">handcrafts short courses</a> at the <a href="https://

...
$260 Limited inc GST / $208 / $221 / $234
Bookbinding Course for Beginners at NSW Guild

<p>Learn the alchemy of bookbinding fundamentals with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/handcrafts">handcrafts short courses</a> at the <a href="https://

...
$260 Limited inc GST / $208 / $221 / $234
Bookbinding Course for Beginners at NSW Guild

<p>Learn the alchemy of bookbinding fundamentals with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/handcrafts">handcrafts short courses</a> at the <a href="https://

...
$260 Limited inc GST / $208 / $221 / $234

If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Bookbinding Course for Beginners at NSW Guild

If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Bookbinding Course for Beginners at NSW Guild