Bookbinding I: Intro to Softcover Binding – Summer 2022

Event Info

This three-session, in-person workshop takes place at CBA on Thursday evenings, June 23–July 21 (skips July 7 and 14th) from 4–9pm:

• Thursday, June 23, 4–9pm
• Thursday, June 30, 4–9pm
• Thursday, July 21, 4–9pm

Please Note: Registration for this workshop closes on Tuesday, June 21 at 11:59pm.

About the Workshop:

This in-person class at Center for Book Arts is taught by instructor Amber Braverman. 

In this introductory class you will learn the basic use of bookbinding tools and materials, along with bookbinding structures. Students will learn about non-adhesive structures, bindings for single sheets, and other bindings that can be made with no specialized equipment. Structures covered include: One Minute Book; Soft Cover Accordion; Variations on the Pamphlet; Soft Cover Multi-Signiture (Linking Stitch).

This class is ideal for those who wish to learn simple forms for presenting work, or for building fundamental knowledge on bookbinding. Students will gain a foundational understanding of handling paper using the given equipment. The students will develop the skills needed to create a variety of soft cover books with simple bookbinding structures that will prepare them for creating more complex hardcover books. Along the way, students will learn about historical and contemporary uses of the learned techniques and structures in the book arts.

Required Materials:

All staff, artists, students, and guests are required to show proof of vaccination upon entering CBA and must wear a mask covering the nose and mouth at all times. If you have a medical or religious exemption, please email corina@centerforbookarts.org.

Required Materials:

• Pencil and paper for note-taking

• Bookbinding awl*

• Bone folder*

• Olfa silver knife and blades *, or exact-o knife

• All other materials and tools will be provided.

*Materials with an asterisk next to them are available for purchase at CBA.

About Amber Braverman

Amber Braverman is the proprietor of Post Editions, a letterpress studio focused on collaboration with artists and writers.

As an educator, Braverman hopes to share her passion for the craft of printmaking with her students. She has been teaching letterpress printing, image-making, and book forms at CBA since 2006.

She began her journey into the world of book arts from a young age and studied letterpress printmaking through apprenticeship and job printing. She currently resides in Garrison, New York.  

All images courtesy of the instructor.