From the bookbinding apprenticeship
Imagine you’re walking into a bookshop. You see all the tables and shelves, packed from top to bottom with books. Which books do you take a closer look at? You’re bound to pick up the book whose cover catches your eye. Especially if you’re not looking for a specific author or title, the book’s presentation is the number one eye-catcher! This is where the Bookbinder comes into play, as they bring ideas for a book cover to life and provide the book’s content with an attractive presentation.
But what makes the bookbinder’s trade so appealing? Did you know that a bookbinder doesn’t just work with books? We’d like to introduce you to the fascination of a craft that has existed for centuries and is constantly evolving.
Products, techniques and materials – the wide variety of bookbinding
Anyone who completes a bookbinder’s apprenticeship doesn’t just deal with books. Essentially, the bookbinder is responsible for the shape of every single printed sheet, whether Brochures, Folder or Books. Each product is made from the material best suited to it. And every material requires its own specific treatment, from the thinnest paper to the thickest card.
In addition, leather, fabric and adhesives are used by the bookbinder to create the final product. Different materials and products, combined with individual customer requirements, call for skilled craftsmanship in cutting, folding, perforating, embossing, drilling, shaping, gluing and finishing.
Every job is a new challenge – the skill of the bookbinder
There’s no such thing as assembly-line work here, as every order is unique and presents a new challenge. Creativity and Flexibility are required. In addition, the bookbinder should plan the job precisely and, to this end, good spatial awareness possess.
The bookbinder must coordinate the planning with all parties involved as part of a team. When processing orders, the bookbinder should take an interest in Mechanics and Electrical engineering as well as Physics and Chemistry have. In addition, the bookbinder should have a good eyesight to process orders with great care and precision, as well as an eye for detail.
No one is born a master – training to become a bookbinder
The bookbinder apprenticeship lasts three years. During this time, the apprentice works in the company and also attends a vocational school. For the On-site phase at school and in the workplace Are there different approaches to bookbinding training depending on the country – in druck.at one is 10 consecutive weeks in blocks at vocational college and then back at the workplace.
The course content of the bookbinder training programme is as varied as the profession itself: Creating books as individual items or in batches, producing a variety of products, learning different techniques, working with materials in a personalised way, and even repairing damage to books. The bookbinding training course concludes with a final examination.
Bookbinding training – what next?
Following their bookbinding apprenticeship, bookbinders have various opportunities for further training: for example, a bookbinder can Master’s examination complete a course that enables him to set up his own business.
In addition, the bookbinder can, for example, act as Art bookbinder, Commercial bookbinder, Etuimacher, Book restorer or Print finishing services specialise. In addition, bookbinders can undertake further training to become trainers and supervise the bookbinding training of apprentices. At trade fairs, specialist conferences, product presentations and courses run by various specialist institutions, bookbinders can undertake continuous professional development to stay up to date and broaden their knowledge.
If you’re interested in a bookbinding apprenticeship, we’d be delighted to druck.at We look forward to receiving your application. You can find further information about jobs at druck.at here!
