Core Certificate Programs
The Bookbinding Core and Cylinder Core Certificate Programs allow for scheduling flexibility while offering a comprehensive foundation in bookbinding or letterpress printing, personal attention from instructors, and access to our well-equipped studios.
Individual workshop sessions are offered on weekends throughout the term, and classes must be taken in sequence. The Intensive options offer all four classes in one four- or five-day session. Students who enroll in all four individual classes at the same time are eligible for a $100 series discount. Discounts cannot be applied retroactively.
Upon completion of the four-class series, students will receive a certificate of completion and be eligible to rent studio time to use related equipment, such as sewing frames, board shears, guillotines, presses, and more. Please see the Studio and Equipment Rentals page for more information on dates, times, fees, and more.
Questions about workshops? We’re here to help! Contact us at workshops@sfcb.org or 415-565-0545.
The Bookbinding Core Certificate Program allows flexibility with a comprehensive foundation in bookbinding.
The Bookbinding Core Certificate program takes you through four binding structures in four classes over five days, building new skills in each workshop.
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This first class introduces students to the craft with the Coptic stitch, one of the earliest structures in binding. In addition to coming away with a finished book made by hand, students will also be introduced to the tools and terms of bookbinding.
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Students will create what most of us refer to as a hardbound book. In bookbinding terms it is known as a case binding, where a sewn textblock is glued into a separate structure known as a case.
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Books were sometimes sewn and then laced into protective soft covers as a temporary binding, before being finely bound for a specific collection or library. These limp bindings became an important structure all their own.
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The final class in our Core Bookbinding series (taught in two sessions) combines the skills learned in each previous class to create a beautiful and classic rounded back binding. After completing this workshop, students are well prepared to continue their bookbinding education, whether that means more elaborate structures, learning book repair, or working with leather.
Spring 2026 Bookbinding Core sessions are broken into two sessions. Students who can take all four classes in the same session are encouraged to do so. Classes must be taken 1-4, in order.
To receive a $100 discount, email us to let us know; we will follow up with instructions on how to receive the discount.
Spring 2026 Bookbinding Core workshop dates:
Bookbinding Core 1: Coptic Binding: January 10, January 17
Bookbinding Core 2: Flat-Back Case Binding: February 7
Bookbinding Core 3: Limp Paper Binding: February 15
Bookbinding Core 4: Classic Rounded Back Cloth Binding: February 21 & 22
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Bookbinding Core 1: Coptic Binding: March 7 and March 14
Bookbinding Core 2: Flat-Back Case Binding: March 28 and April 4
Bookbinding Core 3: Limp Paper Binding: April 11
Bookbinding Core 4: Classic Rounded Back Cloth Binding: April 25 & 26
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Bookbinding Core 1-4: Weeklong Intensive: March 16-20 and March 30-April 3
The Cylinder Core Certificate Program provides a comprehensive foundation in letterpress printing with a hands-on approach.
The Cylinder Core Certificate program consists of four daylong workshops, each with a small project to complete and take home at the end of the day. These classes gradually build letterpress skills and experience on the hand-fed cylinder (proof) press.
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Learn about the process and practice of setting type, mixing inks and pulling impressions. Students will design and print a small edition of a folded greeting card while learning the basics of press operation.
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Build your letterpress skills: learn advanced justification, typesetting, and composition. Put it all together to print an 8 x 10" broadside of your own design.
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Get more acquainted with the press: learn about packing, roller height, and make-ready. Once you've got everything set up you'll run an edition of your own 12 x 15" poster.
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All those fancy letterpress wedding invitations are printed from digital designs turned into polymer plates. You'll learn how to print with premade plates and walk away with a stationary suite: a coordinated set of cards, letter sheets, and envelopes.
Spring 2026 Cylinder Core workshop dates:
Cylinder Core 1: Experience Letterpress!: March 7
Cylinder Core 2: Power of the Broadside: March 14
Cylinder Core 3: Posterized: March 21
Cylinder Core 4: Digital into Analog: March 28
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Cylinder Core 1-4: 4-Day Intensive: April 14-17