This delightful style, which dates back to 2nd century Egypt, opens perfectly flat. Creating your book involves sewing folded signatures with linking stitches to produce a braided looking exposed spine sewing structure. We will begin by getting acquainted with paper grain and its importance for the finished book. We will cover the boards of the book with decorative paper and once dry students will pierce the holes in the covers to prepare for sewing. Paper signatures will be folded and pierced and then we'll take a short break for lunch. After lunch we will learn to sew the coptic stitch to bind the book. By the end of the workshop, you will have completed your book, and have the skill to make more on your own. Class fee includes all materials we use to make a book: a sheet of decorative paper to cover boards, paper for your signatures, a pair of pre-cut cover boards, glue, and waxed-linen thread. Students can borrow tools from the BAL or you can bring your own bookbinder's toolkit. Students will need: bonefolder, medium-weight awl, Xacto knife, scissors, ruler, and a bookbinder's needle.

Note: We'll be taking a break for lunch, so please feel free to bring or pack your meal.

The Book Arts League is a Colorado-based community of individuals who share an interest in letterpress printing, calligraphy, and bookbinding.

Will be available to register on Monday, September 21 at 8:00am.

The Book Arts League is excited to announce that we will now offer open studio hours! Our shop will be available monthly for you to print your work. Below are the upcoming open studio dates. BAL board members will be your hosts and will assist you with your printing projects. Please bring your own paper and get ready to print! Book Arts League Members please RSVP to bal.workshops@gmail.com. If you are not a Book Arts League Member, register here!

WEDNESDAY November 11 — 4:30-6:30PM

WEDNESDAY December 9 — 4:30-6:30PM

With polymer plates, you can letterpress print anything you can draw. This class will meet on two different days*. The first night (Monday December 7th from 6-8pm) we will talk about drawing your designs, translating drawings into files to make polymer plates to print with. We'll discuss the Boxcar plate system so students understand how the plates and base function together in the press. Then Brenda will send off to have plates made from our drawings at Boxcar press. We will meet again to print our plates on Saturday (December 12th 10:00am - 4:30pm) for an all day printshop day. Students can draw or scan holiday card designs or any other designs you want to create. We'll be printing on the BAL Pilot press which is a platen press. If time permits students can share/combine plates for multiple color designs or add a second pass of type from the BAL wood type collection. Each student will finish the class with a set of hand made cards with matching envelopes.

*NOTE: If you are unable to make the first night, you can email your drawing/design to Brenda and still join us to print your plate (made from your drawing) on Saturday Dec 12th.

We'll be taking a break for lunch, so please feel free to bring or pack your meal.

The Book Arts League is a Colorado-based community of individuals who share an interest in letterpress printing, calligraphy, and bookbinding.

Will be available to register on Monday, September 21 at 8:00am.