Book Binders

OFO No:

What is a Book Binder?

A Bookbinder is a person who has mastered the art of assembling individual pages of a book into a single volume (text block) and attaching a cover. 

Some commercial printers produce millions of books (like best sellers, journals, coffee table books and bibles) while other printers create one-of-a-kind speciality books where the bookbinder does the work by hand. 

Sometimes these one-of-a-kind books are bound in special materials, for example, leather.

Some Bookbinders also repair and restore old or rare books, especially if the cover has been damaged. 

What does a Book Binder do?

• collates and assembles pages
• makes text blocks and attaches covers
• ensures quality control
• in some cases, packs and ships books to clients
  
• restores old or rare books

Are you … ?

• interested in printing?
• a person who loves books?
• accurate?
• a perfectionist?
• good with your hands?
• neat and tidy?
• observant?
• mechanical?
• responsible?
• a person who takes pride in their work?

How do I become a Book Binder?

You may get an apprenticeship in a book-printing company/publishing house. 

If you can’t get one immediately – maybe you could try and apply for a different entry-level position in a printing company, for instance:  a sales person, front desk or admin person.

Once you’re in – you can maybe then show them you have skills and interest in getting involved in the actual printing side.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Signwriter … or … Guillotine Operator

Is becoming a Book Binder the right career choice for me?