You could do a foundation degree or degree in:

• design crafts
• printmaking
• art conservation and restoration

You'll need to check that the course covers methods used in bookbinding.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You can do a bookbinder or print operative intermediate apprenticeship or a print technician advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You could start out as a print room or reprographics assistant and work your way up through experience and taking courses.

You could apply directly to become a bookbinder. Employers will expect you to have some printing experience.

You may find it useful to have GCSEs or equivalent at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).

You could take short specialist courses in craft binding and finishing. You can take these courses with organisations like the Society of Bookbinders.

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with your hands
• observation and recording skills
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• concentration skills
• the ability to work on your own
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be flexible and open to change
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You could:

• set up and feed paper into machines
• glue and stitch using hand operated machines
• cut paper to size using hand and machine cutting tools
• check the quality of work and meet production deadlines
• identify issues and report machine breakdowns
• take away and stack finished products

If you're a craft or hand bookbinder, you might:

• use hand tools to make bindings for books and to sew pages
• use traditional materials to add decoration and clean discoloured pages
• produce specialist books like family histories or books for libraries and museums
• repair antique books

You could work in a factory or in a workshop.

Your working environment may be dusty and noisy.

You may need to wear protective clothing.