When you are in a place where you want to learn more about bookbinding, the first thing that you should be aware of is that binding is something that has been used to keep documents together since books were first introduced. It was around before printing, when books were written by hand and copied down, and every culture that had a written language found some way to keep their work together. One ancient form of bookbinding is still in use today for beautiful handmade art books. It is known as Coptic bookbinding and it is accomplished by stitching doubled over pages together. Books are not made for mass publication in this way, but many people are still very interested in this art.
The work that modern binders do today is typically done using machines. There are still people who work on binding by hand, but the demand is very low. If you are interested in binding books by hand, there is a good chance that you are going to be in the restoration business instead. You may work for historians or preservationists who have an interest in keeping older books in good shape, or you may even work for a library that has an interest in seeing books repaired rather than bound by machine. There are many different options open to you if you want to bind books by hand, but you should remember that this is a very small field and that jobs might be scarce!
If you are interested in mass bookbinding, you will find that you will largely be working with machines, and that while you will not need any formal education, you will need a fair amount of basic math skills, a decent understanding of computers and good communication skills. It is very common for people who are involved in this type of venture to find apprenticeships where they can learn the trade, often while earning a salary as well. Before you decide that you want to be a bookbinder, remember that you are looking at a job that involves manufacturing and that the job itself can be very strenuous. You will need to lift and to carry stacks of paper and the job itself may require that you stay on your feet a great deal.
Another thing that you should keep in mind is that the need for bookbinders does seem to be diminishing as time goes on. There is less demand for printed materials than there once was thanks to digitized media, and you will find that computerized machinery has created a lower demand for bookbinders in general. This is something that can make a huge difference when you are thinking about where your future might be, and it might not be something that you want to risk.
When you are interested in getting work with binders, your first step will likely be to call up the bookbinderies or printing companies in your area. You may also find that there is printing or bookbinding unions in your area as well. There are many printing companies that are doing their own bookbinding these days, so you may have better luck with the printing companies than not. Take some time and make sure that you know who to contact and then start calling around. Be upfront about your lack of experience, but let them know that you are definitely willing to learn!
Bookbinding is an ancient practice and you will find that it might be something that truly appeals to you. Take some time and see what this position can mean to your future.
