Bookbinding Workshop Part 1

Before Ross and I left Canada, I made him a sketchbook specifically designed for him to draw type in, with pages that alternate between grid and tracing paper. The intention was that he could make sketches on the grid, and then rework successful attempts on the tracing paper.

Some of his classmates expressed interest in this sketchbook and asked me if I'd show them how to make books. After some easy organization, an informal bookbinding workshop took place yesterday in the Type & Media studio.

There were nine of us all together, and despite some of them partying too much the night before, they were great students.


Even Ross learned how to made his first (and last?) book.


Bookbinding involves many precise steps, and it's something that definitly takes a lot of practice. I've never really taught anyone how to do it before, so this was a new experience for me, too. I had to think about and articulate steps and processes I usually just do.


The Italian gals, working and playing.


When you bookbind, intensity is measured in millimeters.


The second half of the workshop takes place tomorrow night, when we will glue the book block into the cases (the pages to the cover). Stay tune for the amazing results.

Bookbinding makes you so hungry. It's true. Focusing on millimeters takes a lot of energy. So after the workshop we got lunch to-go and took advantage of the 14° weather.



Crocuses (croci?) are blooming everywhere, and the birds are singing.
Spring has sprung in The Hague.



This winter was a piece of cake.