Bookbinder or print finisher Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As a print finisher or machine bookbinder, your tasks would include:

• setting up machinery
• feeding the machinery with paper
• reporting machine breakdowns
• taking away and stacking the finished products.

As a craft or hand bookbinder, you would work on a much smaller scale. Your tasks would typically include:

• hand binding small numbers of books, such as family histories or books for libraries and museums
• using specialist hand tools to make bindings for books and to sew pages
• adding decoration such as gold lettering and edging, or marbled end-papers.

You could also restore and repair antique books, cleaning discoloured pages or using leathers and papers to match those originally used.

Hours

As a print finisher or machine bookbinder, your working week would usually be around 37 hours. Some companies operate a shift system. At busy times you may be asked to do overtime, involving evening or weekend work.

You would work in a factory or workshop. Some machines are noisy, so you may need to use ear protectors.

As a self-employed craft bookbinder, you would set your own hours according to your workload. You would usually work from home, but may need to travel to meet clients.

Income

Starting salaries can be around £14,000 a year.

Experienced binders and finishers can earn between £16,000 and £35,000.

Earnings for self-employed craft bookbinders vary widely depending on the amount of work they have.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You may not need formal qualifications to be a print finisher or machine bookbinder and you would usually receive on-the-job training. However, some employers may prefer you to have GCSEs or equivalent qualifications, including English and maths.

You may be able to get into this type of work through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need. To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships website.

• Apprenticeships

To be a craft bookbinder, you would need to gain skills before starting work. You can attend part-time or short courses in bookbinding at many colleges. You can also complete higher education courses, including BTEC HNCs/HNDs and degrees in craft bookbinding at specialist colleges. Visit the Society of Bookbinders (SoB) website for details of courses.

• Society of Bookbinders – courses

The Designer Bookbinders (DB) website also lists courses offered by colleges and private providers, as well as joint SOB/DB courses and DB lectures.

• Designer Bookbinders

Training and development

As a print finisher/machine bookbinder, your training will be mainly on the job.

As a craft bookbinder, you can add to your skills by attending courses at all levels, such as those listed on the SoB website.

As a member of the SoB, you will receive a newsletter that lists classes suitable for all skill levels. You can attend day classes that are organised at a regional level. These cover many subjects, and also provide opportunities for meeting visiting lecturers who teach either in their own binderies or in colleges.

You could become an Associate member of Designer Bookbinders (DB). As a member you will receive newsletters and the DB journal, The New Bookbinder. If your work shows potential you will be encouraged to apply first for Licentiateship and then for Fellowship within five years. During this time you will be assigned two mentors, and be able to attend tutorials & consultations. Your work may also be shown in the society’s exhibitions. See the DB website for details.

• Designer Bookbinders

Skills and knowledge

To be a bookbinder or print finisher, you will need:

• good practical skills
• an aptitude for work with machinery
• the ability to measure and count accurately
• attention to detail
• the ability to work alone and as part of a team.

As a craft bookbinder you also need:

• good communication and customer service skills
• willingness to work alone for much of the time
• artistic skills
• the ability to run a business.

More information

Proskills UK
www.proskills.co.uk

Society of Bookbinders
www.societyofbookbinders.com

Designer Bookbinders
www.designerbookbinders.org.uk

British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF)
Farringdon Point
29/35 Farringdon Road
London
EC1M 3JF
www.britishprint.com

City & Guilds
1 Giltspur Street
London
EC1A 9DD
Tel: 0844 543 0000
www.cityandguilds.com

Opportunities

Most printing companies are small, employing less than 50 people. You could find work in:

• companies which specialise in finishing and binding
• finishing departments of printing firms
• print units of large organisations, such as local councils, universities or colleges.

The franchised chains of printers found on most high streets also employ staff for print finishing work.

As a skilled print finisher or bookbinder, you could progress to supervisor in your own department, move to the finishing department of a bigger company, or work for a specialist print finishing company. You could also move into other jobs such as printing or sales.

A few companies employ finishers to bind books by hand, although you are more likely to be self-employed in this type of work.

Visit Jobs in Print for vacancies from apprentice to management level.

• Jobs in Print

Related industry information

Industry summary

View full Job market information