About

Designer Bookbinders, supported by The Clothworkers’ Company, are delighted to showcase an exhibition of Contemporary British Bookbinding.

They are located at The Art Academy, 185c Bankside, Park Street, London, SE1 9BL. www.Artacademy.ac.uk

The books on display are all unique, handcrafted works of art. A handcrafted book can take many tens of hours from conception to completion.

For the very first time, Designer Bookbinder’s involvement in London Craft Week allows us to showcase bindings by some of the finest bookbinders, both past and present, from The Clothworkers’ collection, alongside many bindings from current Fellows and Licentiates of Designer Bookbinders.

Additionally, they are displaying bindings from students taught as part of Designer Bookbinder’s “Transferring Design” initiative. Since 2018, this initiative has seen Fellows of DB teaching both students and tutors the craft of bookbinding in art & craft colleges across the UK, including Glasgow, Bath, Lincoln & West Dean.

Each afternoon during Craft Week, representatives from Designer Bookbinders will be demonstrating binding techniques. Demonstrations include a wide range of techniques involved with producing a contemporary binding – this will include gold tooling, hand sewn endbands & forwarding techniques.

In addition, they will have bookbinding materials including decorative papers and leathers, hand tools, and publications for purchase. Members of Designer Bookbinders will be on hand and there is the opportunity to join our vibrant expanding society.

Designer Bookbinders is one of the foremost societies devoted to the craft of fine bookbinding. Founded over fifty years ago it has, by means of exhibitions and publications, helped to establish the reputation of British bookbinding worldwide.

The mission of The Clothworkers’ Company is to support the British textiles industry, champion trusteeship, and fulfil a 500-year commitment to using their position and wealth for charitable causes and social good.