Bookbinding

Bookbinding

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Entry requirements: no prior knowledge of paper or bookbinding is required to take this course. However, it can be helpful if you already have an idea of what kind of booklet you’d like to make—this will allow us to find a matching style or format during the course!

The oldest known book was made in 600 BCE, and the largest book in the world is five meters tall and four meters wide. Bookbinding is a craft that has existed for thousands of years, with nearly as many different styles! Fascinating, isn’t it?

In this course, you’ll learn how to bind books by hand using minimal tools and materials. You’ll experiment with different binding techniques, discover the differences between paper types, and finish the course with several beautiful handmade notebooks of your own.

What you will learn:

  • 4 different binding methods, each with its own pros and cons

  • How to create and attach hardcover and softcover book covers

  • Which type of paper works best for which kind of book

  • Inspiration and ideas to continue making your own booklets at home

The course fee includes the cost of materials.

Please note:
The final class will take place at the Utrecht University Library at Utrecht Science Park, in the Special Collections department.

Course details

Instruction language English
Level Basic
Teacher Jasper Zijlstra
Price Rate 1: € 95,00 Rate 2: € 142,50 Rate 3: € 190,00 (Click here for more pricing information)
Duration 5 weeks
Number of participants 8 - 10
View start dates

Class dates

Start date
Time
Teacher
Status
Date: Tue 23 Sep 2025
Time: 18:00 - 20:00
Teacher: Jasper Zijlstra
Status: Full
Join waiting list
Tue 23 Sep 2025
Lesdag
Tue 30 Sep 2025
Lesdag
Tue 07 Oct 2025
Lesdag
Tue 14 Oct 2025
Lesdag
Tue 21 Oct 2025
Lesdag in de UB
Tue 28 Oct 2025
Reserve

This course will be held every week on the same day and time. If a lesson is missed due to a public holiday or other reasons (e.g. teacher illness, organizational reasons), the lesson will be made up at the end of the course. Please note that a course may be extended by a few weeks due to this. You can read more about this in our terms and conditions.

Date: Tue 11 Nov 2025
Time: 15:30 - 17:30
Teacher: Jasper Zijlstra
Status: Planned
Register
Tue 11 Nov 2025
Lesdag
Tue 18 Nov 2025
Lesdag
Tue 25 Nov 2025
Lesdag
Tue 02 Dec 2025
Lesdag
Tue 09 Dec 2025
Lesdag in de UB
Tue 16 Dec 2025
Reserve

This course will be held every week on the same day and time. If a lesson is missed due to a public holiday or other reasons (e.g. teacher illness, organizational reasons), the lesson will be made up at the end of the course. Please note that a course may be extended by a few weeks due to this. You can read more about this in our terms and conditions.