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Bookbinder
Print finisher
Bookbinders turn printed paper into books and catalogues by hand or using machines.
Average salary (a year)
£18000
Starter
£30000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
41.0 to 43.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role; applying directly; specialist training courses
University
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
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship
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
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work
You could start out as a print room or reprographics assistant and work your way up through experience and taking courses.
Direct Application
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).
Other Routes
You could take short specialist courses in craft binding and finishing. You can take these courses with organisations like the Society of Bookbinders.
More Information
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.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
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.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Your working environment may be dusty and noisy.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
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.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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