Course program

Course location Zurich

Dive into the world of suminagashi with Bastien Conus (www.suminagashi.ch / @bababathings).

Suminagashi (墨流し- "flowing ink") is the precursor of all marbled paper practices. After a historical and technical introduction, you will have the opportunity to experiment with different inks and paper types in exchange with others and your own curiosity. In all likelihood, you will also make your own discoveries. In a tub, the ink will be applied to the water surface and then transferred to the paper from which magical creative moments emanate, inviting contemplation and letting go.
At the end of this class, you will take home your very own creation.

Course location Ascona

This course is the second part of the well-loved topic 'Ten clever book structures.'
Another five techniques - contemporary, simple, and original - will be studied and realized in these three days. The main focus is the technical knowledge behind the precise construction of these binding styles. We will also encourage freedom for discovery and development of our own creativity.

Course location Ascona

Have you always dreamed of designing and binding your very own book? In three days, you will learn the basics of book binding and fulfil your dream of creating your own book. From the choice of paper to folding and creasing and binding of the spine of the book.

Course location Ascona

Continuation to course number 3

The offer is aimed at hobby bookbinders. This course builds on the basics of the beginners course and deepens your knowledge and skills in bookbinding. By working with more sophisticated techniques and materials, your skills will be taken to the next level, for example with a simple slipcase for a book. Although an individual, more complex book project is possible, no further prior knowledge is required.

Course location Ascona

Some objects are difficult to showcase in a way that respects their morphology, structure and history. This is the case for graphic art, an almost two-dimensional object with multiple facets. Engravings, drawings, pastels, oils, acrylics or photographs on paper - large or small format, flat, inclined or framed, the list of variations is vast and requires individual mounting techniques.
By applying the fundamentals of conservation, this course aims to present the range of techniques available for preparing these works in a durable way, while focusing on the materials best suited to meeting the strict standards of preservation. A number of framing and attachment methods and systems will be studied and tested. Finally, the technique of lining/marouflage could be tried out with a view to providing an additional means of enhancing the works.

Course location Zurich

Reconstructions or infills, traditional patterning or free artistic design – the basic techniques of paste paper production have not changed for centuries. The hands-on learning of the techniques of the craft will be supplemented by excercises in ‘reading’ paste paper samples and identifying other sorts of decorated papers. If participants are interested and time permits, general topics can be discussed.

Course location Ascona

Some objects are difficult to showcase in a way that respects their morphology, structure and history. This is the case for books, three-dimensional objects with multiple facets. Whether new or old, large or small, light or heavy, each book requires special attention if it is to be mounted individually.
By applying the fundamentals of conservation, it will be possible to try out various techniques that respect the books and their individual opening angles. Several custom-made mounting supports in cardboard, Plexiglas or metal will be presented, manufactured and/or tested. Lastly, the various fastening systems (hooks, ribbons, string) can be compared, with particular emphasis.

Course location Ascona

Three box forms will be made: a drop back box (otherwise known as solander or clam shell box) and slip cases with flat and rounded openings. Their construction is based upon a system of measuring and calculating the various parts, resulting in consistent and accurate results. They will be built using some engineering principles for structural stability and robustness, and covered in Buckram book cloth. Additional possibilities for design and decoration/titling will also be shown. 

Course location Ascona

Two box forms will be made: a magic box and an Asian folder. The magic box is a multi-compartmental box with a double hinged lid which allows it to be opened in both directions. When used with a certain ‘sleight of hand’, it can seemingly cause objects inside to disappear and reappear. The Asian folder is a layered structure with interlocking flaps, which that although flexible, form a stable a near solid box form once closed and fixed together. 

Course location Ascona

The Franzband was once a central test piece for every apprentice and master bookbinder examination. Nowadays, it is a rarity in everyday bookbinding, but the binding technique still offers a variety of skills that can enrich daily work in a special way: backing on deep joints, ivory edge colouring, French sewn headbands, and assured leather paring and covering. All of these techniques will be refreshed and practiced. Consequently, in six days a full leather binding will be achieved, which will serve as a starting point for a creative and individual cover design.

Course location Ascona

This old binding technique was previously used for ​​register, cash and writing books. It is characterized by being able to open flat, right into the fold. The spine of the book literally jumps up at the user when the book is opened, which is where the name of the technique comes from. Digitalisation has displaced this technique in its original areas of application, but through its refined technical details and the sophisticated way in which it opens, it can still impress and be an interesting alternative to conventional guest books and diaries.
During the 5 days of the course we will make a half leather binding.

Course location Ascona

Origata is the exquisite Japanese art of wrapping and gift-giving. Drawing inspiration from this aesthetic, Julie Auzillon developed a refined bookbinding technique for binding one to three layers of booklets. The ribbons or strips used serve both functional and decorative purposes. This binding method is ideal for protecting booklet fragments or creating flexible, blank books. Another book structure, where individual sheets are attached to a flexible spine using tapes, offers inspiration for creating your own glue-free book objects.

Course location Ascona

Some texts are a challenge to bind because of their grain direction, paper weight or a particular quirk of the publisher. Stub binding is one solution but it's also possible to combine binding methods to make hybrids that accommodate all of these conditions. The week will be spent exploring and discovering the various ways to use concertinas (and double concertinas) in a fixed spine to create a codex format. The result is neither a stub nor a concertina but an original format with lots of character.

Course location Zurich

The course introduces a simple method to create the strongest possible ‘net’ (a box opened flat) for a box of any shape, not just boring square boxes. No glue is needed. Using it, you will be able to create beautiful packaging that protects and promotes your work, or which can be used as point-of-sale …and more. The first part of the course will take you step-by-step through the method to design the optimum net for any packaging form. The second part will allow you to use the method to design and create your own packaging forms. The method is so powerful, that after winning 15 out of 15 Prizes in the major international StarPack competition that year, Paul’s students in London were banned from entering again!

Course location Ascona

An introduction to the techniques of making pop-ups from one sheet of card, sometimes called Kirigami or Origamic Architecture. It will focus on the fundamentals of the art, allowing students to fully understand the basics, from which more complex pop-up structures can evolve. Time will be given for students to explore how simple-to-make techniques can be used to create a near-infinite number of beautiful variations, using text, images and collage. Beginners are very welcome.

Course location Ascona

The course will introduce a multitude of fascinating ways in which the geometry of folding and cutting paper can be used to create basic 2-D polygons, 3-D polyhedrons and other surfaces and structures, which have practical uses across all art, design and making disciplines. The constructions are quick, simple and elegant. This hands-on method of making 2-D and 3-D geometry parallels and even improves the traditional ‘straight edge and compass’ method, taught since the time of Euclid. The course is suitable for math- and geometry-phobic students, but it will also be hugely useful for students with a knowledge of geometry. 

Course location Ascona

Traditional Japanese specialized papers: their treatment and finishing

The course focuses on a few selected handmade papers that originally served a very specific purpose, such as urushikoshi paper as a filter for Japanese lacquer. With the decline of the original techniques for which they were intended, these papers are also unfortunately disappearing. 
The papers used in the course have a long tradition and are printed, dyed or embossed according to their special properties, and then bound. We will focus on the special characteristics of the papers and develop suitable solutions for the binding. Various book forms, such as those developed by Veronika Schäpers for her artist's books, will serve as models.

Course location Ascona

This course is intended to offer participants the opportunity to critically review and discuss various techniques and their approaches in book and paper conservation as well as in exhibition related work. It is meant to be an overview of well-known and innovative conservation techniques, which will be demonstrated and reviewed by the participants. Furthermore, there will be ample time for discussions and suggestions. Topics covered include attaching loose boards, rebacking materials, alum-tawed parchment as a repair material, tips for paper repairs, using cast pulp paper in paper conservation, ideas how to mount books for exhibition displays, and other helpful tips.
This course is best suited for participants with prior knowledge in book and paper conservation.

Course location Ittigen (Bern)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of both traditional and innovative paper conservation techniques. Starting with basic methods such as simple tear repairs and filling losses, it progresses to more advanced treatments, including addressing damage from mold, brittle paper, and the mechanical stabilization of paper affected by ink corrosion.
Participants will explore topics such as humidification, washing, drying, flattening, and lining. The course also covers innovative techniques, materials, and processes, which participants will apply practically.
Please note that prior knowledge of paper restoration is required for this course.

Course location Ascona

Learn how to integrate powerful neodymium magnets as practical and playful elements in both book and box structures. We will work with a large selection of magnets in different sizes, shapes, and strengths and integrate them as closures, hinges, or connectors in our work. We will make a series of useful reference models and complete some sample book and box structures that incorporate magnets in different ways. 

Course location Ascona

Participants choose the programme at the beginning of the course!
You decide which of Hedi Kyle's extraordinary book constructions will be worked on in this course. The ingenious folding, cutting and stitching techniques - from fanfold to codex and numerous variations - will be determined together in the course group on the first day according to interest and then carried out step by step.

Course location Ascona

Exclusive and sophisticated, box making has always been part of the handbook binder's repertoire, combining creativity and craftsmanship in the usage of high quality materials. Today, manufacturers, particularly in the luxury goods sector such as jewelry, technology or delicatessen, use high-quality boxes, made of card or board, to perfectly present their products. Exciting and rewarding fields of work can be opened up for the bookbinder, for which, in our course, we want to lay a solid foundation.
Starting from the geometric principles and calculations, we will create boxes in different shapes - with the focus always being on creating a precise basic structure and the flawless treatment and application of the covering leather. How can cuts at different angles be realized efficiently and as reproducibly as possible? What should you pay particular attention to when it comes to curves? How do I pare and treat my leather so that transitions and overlaps in the leather become “invisible”? Where are danger spots – and what considerations should be taken into account?

Course location Ascona

Using Edgard Claes' method, we will make a full vellum binding with hinges. In contrast to his other techniques, with hinged bindings the covers are mechanically connected to the book block and spine via metal rods and can be removed at any time. The parchment tapes upon which the book block is sewn, are reshaped and form the supporting element of the hinge structure, which does not require a visible, deeper joint. The separately made spine is connected to the book block via strips and remains flexible at the joints, which guarantees that the binding will open well. The parchment of the covered boards can be decorated with onlays.

Course location Ascona

Dying your own leather can be an extremely creative process and it can enable the binder to produce beautiful and unique covers for their design bindings.
This workshop will be a mixture of some short demonstrations and hands on experimenting. We will be using a selection of different dyes and exploring each of their uses and limitations.
The aim will be to develop a different approach to how you illustrate your design pieces. We will be creating numerous plaquettes, utilizing a variety of dyeing techniques which will become your reference pieces for future use.
This workshop benefits all binders; from the amateur wishing to learn about the dyes to the professional wanting an opportunity to play and discover. This course is also educational to anyone within the leatherwork industry as well as artists wishing to explore a different medium.

Course location Ascona

The „Double or Triple board binding", invented by the Czech master bookbinder Jan Sobota, utilises a new binding form without shoulders. This method involves covering the two/three boards with leather separately, starting with the inner doublure board surface and finishing with the outer board, and then gradually gluing them together as a laminate. It is possible to create very interesting designs using this process.
The course participants will complete one binding using this structural method and additionally, decorate the top edge with a heated roller and pigment foils.

Course location Ascona

The Plastic Panel Binding, the Stretchbook, The Loop and the Limp Binding 3.0, the Self-binder, the Saddler Binding

Bernhard Sanders demonstrates binding styles that come from his forays into innovative techniques using plastic, board, paper and saddlery leather. During the workshop we will explore the function and the opening characteristics of binding techniques, their limits, and the synergy of material, format and proportion. We will produce 5 non-adhesive contemporary bindings whose roots are anchored in the classical book, yet are freed from the strictness of the tradition. The “easy book” on the difficult road to open thinking ;)

Course location Ascona

The board book, also known as the flat book, is a very practical structure that has been used in industrial binding for many years as, for example children’s books or more recently some printed photo books. It can also be a very practical and versatile structure for the hand binder. In this workshop we will learn the basic techniques for making a board book and construct book blocks in various ways based on the size, form and paper. Subsequently we can focus our energy on making six different case styles from the simple to the elegant. Through creative case design, we will turn the simple board book into something quite extraordinary!

Course location Ascona

In this course, we will delve into the creative possibilities of adhesive-free bindings.
Unusual book shapes can be created with simple methods, which can be produced without machines and drying times. You will have the opportunity to design albums and books, such as the „Steckalbum" and the "Woven rod binding" and learn how to use neodymium magnets for closures and connections. Furthermore, the course will give an introduction to different folding techniques from the world of origami and tessellation and we will also create the "circle binding" with magnets as connectors.

Course location Ascona

This subtle half leather binding technique, developed in Denmark, has been constantly refined over the last century and is seen by bibliophiles as an extraordinary fine bookbinding. The book is worked on a 90° shoulder and head caps, similar to the German full leather binding.
Ideal format: approx. DIN A5, 3-10 sections.

Course location Ascona

The half leather binding with attached covers and a "floating" spine is a refined technique by Edgard Claes. The book is easy to open, and the decorative spine offers a play of shapes and colours. We will set the joint at 90° and split and pare the leather. The spine consists of three layers: a thin leather, a leather-covered spine insert, and leather straps that attach the spine insert to the book block. The boards will be attached and covered with coloured paper.
The participants will get an insight into the great variety of form and colour combinations that this technique offers.

Course location Ascona

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the art of making and designing a traditional French binding. The bookblock is worked with stabs and sewn on hemp cords. The book is covered with box calf leather, while the endpapers are an elegant combination of leather and suede.
Another focus of the course is the development of an individual design concept. Special tools and plexiglass templates are used to create leather inlays.
This course is designed as an intensive immersion into the world of fine bindings and offers an in-depth exploration of traditional and modern techniques.

Course location Ascona

A designer slipcase fits the book perfectly, like a glove fits a hand and protects it completely from dust and light. The tailored rounded spine shape gives the slipcase a nice and snug feel. Participants can choose if they want to apply the opening horizontally, vertically, diagonally or free form.
Please bring along 2 to 3 of your own bound books. Ideal format: maximum A5.