Bookbinder
Tasks & duties
Bookbinders may do some or all of the following:
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meet with clients to discuss their requirements
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plan the book or item to be bound
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liaise with printers or designers
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set up the machines that fold, glue, staple, trim, collate or sew the book
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fold, glue or trim the book by hand
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operate machines to bind books
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sew the pages together by hand or with a sewing machine
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trim the pages with a guillotine
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glue or staple the covers on by hand
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heat stamp the titles and designs on the covers in gold foil
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stack and press books
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pack finished work
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make ring binders and photograph albums
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make boxes or specialty items
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repair old or damaged books
Specialisations
Hand bookbinders usually work on smaller or specialty print runs (between one and 1,500 copies), while machine bookbinders work on larger commercial runs.
Skills & knowledge
Bookbinders need to have:
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knowledge of different bookbinding methods and techniques
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knowledge of different types of paper, glues and inks
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knowledge of the printing industry and the printing process
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practical skills such as hand binding and embossing skills
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machine operating skills to operate binding machines
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maths skills
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organisational skills
Entry requirements
Most people find a job as a bookbinder and then start an apprenticeship. To enter a bookbinder apprenticeship you must be 16 years old or over. You also need to pass an eyesight test and have normal colour vision. PrintNZ Training website - information on print careers and apprenticeships
Secondary education
There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a bookbinder, although three years of secondary education is preferred. Graphics, textiles, or visual arts would be useful subjects.
Training on the job
Skills are gained on the job. Apprentice bookbinders also take correspondence courses and attend workshops.
For more information, please refer to Career Services.
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