Bookbinder / Print Finisher Job Profile
What is the work like?
Print finishers or machine bookbinders turn printed materials into finished articles such as books, booklets, catalogues or cartons. They use machines which cut paper to the correct size, fold and glue the paper and bind books together. Most of these machines are automated and can be set up to run for long periods of time.
As a print finisher in a factory your work would include:
- setting up the machinery
- feeding the machinery with paper
- watching for breakdowns or problems with equipment
- taking away and stacking the finished products
- working on one type of machine or on a range of different machines
- carrying out routine maintenance
As a craft or hand bookbinder you would work on a much smaller scale. Your work would 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 restore and repair antique books, cleaning discoloured pages or using fine quality leathers and papers to match those originally used.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To be a print finisher or machine bookbinder you may not always need formal qualifications, although some employers may prefer you to have GCSEs or equivalent qualifications, including English and maths. Science and computer studies can also be useful subjects for this job.
You might be able to complete City & Guilds Certificates in Printing and Graphic Communication at levels 2 and 3 at some colleges. These qualifications are part of Apprenticeships, but are sometimes available as technical certificates suitable for people wanting to get into the industry. Contact City & Guilds or look on their website for details of colleges offering these qualifications.
You may be able to get into this job 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 from their workers.
To be a craft bookbinder you would need to gain skills before starting work. You can do part-time or short courses in bookbinding at many colleges. You can also attend higher education courses, including BTEC HNC/HND and degrees in craft bookbinding at specialist colleges. Visit the Society of Bookbinders website for a list of courses.
Craft bookbinding is often a second career for people who have a keen interest in books or who have previously worked in machine binding.
What further training and development can I do?
As a print finisher/machine bookbinder your training would be mainly on the job. You might be able to complete NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Mechanised Print Finishing and Binding.
NVQ Level 3 in Hand Binding is also available.
As a craft bookbinder, you can add to your skills by attending courses on all levels, such as those listed on the Society of Bookbinders(SoB) website. As a member of the SoB you will receive a newsletter which has listings of classes suitable for all skill levels. You can attend day classes which are organised on 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.
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