Bookbinder
Bookbinders turn printed paper into books and catalogues by hand or using machines.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
You could:
- set up and feed paper into machines
- glue and stitch using hand operated machines
- cut paper to size using hand and machine cutting tools
- check the quality of work and meet production deadlines
- identify issues and report machine breakdowns
- take away and stack finished products
If you're a craft or hand bookbinder, you might:
- use hand tools to make bindings for books and to sew pages
- use traditional materials to add decoration and clean discoloured pages
- produce specialist books like family histories or books for libraries and museums
- repair antique books
Working environment
You could work in a factory or in a workshop.
Your working environment may be dusty and noisy.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a supervisor or work for a specialist print finishing company.
You could also move into other jobs like printing or sales.
As a craft bookbinder, you could improve your job opportunities by joining the Society of Bookbinders or Designer Bookbinders.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with your hands
- observation and recording skills
- knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
- concentration skills
- the ability to work on your own
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be flexible and open to change
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
- specialist training courses
You could do a foundation degree or degree in:
- design crafts
- printmaking
- art conservation and restoration
You'll need to check that the course covers methods used in bookbinding.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
You can do a bookbinder or print operative intermediate apprenticeship or a print technician advanced apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
You could start out as a print room or reprographics assistant and work your way up through experience and taking courses.
You could apply directly to become a bookbinder. Employers will expect you to have some printing experience.
You may find it useful to have GCSEs or equivalent at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).
You could take short specialist courses in craft binding and finishing. You can take these courses with organisations like the Society of Bookbinders.
Further information
You can find out more about working in bookbinding and printing from the British Printing Industries Federation and the Heritage Crafts Association.
You can also find out more about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
Related videos
Suggested videos
Coffee With is in early release mode with a limited number of videos. New videos are being added every week, so please check back for updates.
External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.