Glenn Malkin Design Bindings



Bespoke Individual Tuition.

If you have a specific requirement for training in a particular aspect of bookbinding, then one-to-one tuition may be the best way to have an intensive, immersive and effective learning experience, tailored exactly to your skill level and objectives. With focused support and guidance as well as the use of my own bookbinding equipment and facilities, together we can explore your technique and understanding of book structure or decorative techniques. 

Please get in touch for an informal chat. Tuition would take place at my bindery on the East Yorkshire coast, UK.

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'Aspects of Design Binding'
An intensive one-to-one programme for intermediate level binders in three separate modules.
Based on the design approaches and techniques of award-winning Designer Bookbinders Fellow, Glenn Malkin
Who is the Programme Aimed at?
Participants should already have a broad understanding and experience of general bookbinding techniques. This should include some experience of working with leather. 
For example, it is anticipated that participants are likely to be confident in the following aspects of the craft: sewing a text block onto tapes; basic rounding and backing; making a case bound book; making a quarter leather book; edge paring leather; sewing a simple headband.
If you are unsure about whether your level of experience is appropriate for this programme, please do get in touch for a chat.

There are of course numerous approaches to design binding including different decorative and structural techniques. It is therefore strongly recommended that participants recognise the value of learning from a number of experienced binders over time in order to develop their own style and approach that suits them.

Elements of the Programme
  • Up to three 5-day one-to-one intensive modules 
  • Based at Glenn's own bindery in East Yorkshire
  • Additional online and/or telephone mentoring available
  • Participant supply their own choice of text block
  • Aimed at creating a full leather design binding
  • Tailored to suit individual experience and skills
  • Flexible days and dates to suit mutual availability
  • One-to-two option available 
  • Certificate of Completion awarded
 
Module One
Forwarding
5 days

This module covers the preliminary stages of preparing the text block and, although tailored to each student, would usually include the following elements:
 
  • Choice of text block
  • Overall structure and design concepts
  • Sewing
  • Endpaper and joint options
  • Rounding and backing
  • Ploughing
  • Edge preparation and decoration
  • Hand sewn silk endbands
  • Board attachment 
Module Two
Leather, Design and Covering
5 days

This module covers the core elements of design and decorative techniques for a full leather binding and, although tailored to each student, would usually include the following elements:
 
  • Design concepts and materials selection
  • Leather paring/preparation 
  • Leather dyeing and decoration
  • Onlay techniques
  • Basic tooling and design
  • Airbrushing 
  • Covering in leather
  • Corners and caps
 Module Three
Doublures, Joints and Boxes
5 days

This module covers the final elements of binding, doublures, leather joints and drop-back box making and, although tailored to each student, would usually include the following elements:

  • Laying down cloth/leather joints
  • Filling in and smoothing boards
  • Edge-to-edge leather doublures
  • Decorative endpaper options
  • Final tooling, finishing and decoration
  • Drop-back box making
  • Box lining and decoration
  • Review, critique and learning
Programme Pricing
One-to-One Tuition
Modules can be booked individually for £950 each.

Booking multiple modules at the same time attracts the following discounted pricing:

2 Modules: Total price £1,750 (saving £150)
3 Modules: Total price £2,500 (saving £350)

Discounted pricing will not be applied retrospectively.
Tuition takes place at Glenn's bindery in Hornsea, East Yorkshire on dates to be mutually agreed. 
Five day modules may be split into two smaller sessions for added flexibility. Whilst weekdays are preferred, a limited number of weekends may be available.
Those booking multiple modules will additionally have up to two hours of free on-line support and mentoring available per module. 

Please Note: It would normally be expected that participants would complete the first module before booking modules two and three. 
If a participant wishes to book module 2 without attending module 1 it will be necessary to demonstrate that the participant's forwarding is at an equivalent level before bookings will be accepted for subsequent modules. This would normally be done through a half or full day one-on-one 'Assessing and Reviewing Fundamentals' session. This would take place at Glenn's bindery in Hornsea and is chargeable at £85/£150 respectively. Please contact Glenn for further information.

One-to-Two Tuition
Where two people wish to be taught together, sharing their learning and jointly exploring their design binding approaches this can be accommodated on the same basis as above. 
It is the responsibility of both of the participants to decide upon, and commit to, attending mutually agreed dates. Tuition will still be based on individual requirements and needs.

Price per person for 1 module: £800
Price per person for 2 modules: £1,400
Price per person for 3 modules: £1,900

 Should one participant withdraw from the module, pricing will revert to the higher individual tuition rate above for the remaining participant. 


Payment Terms
50% deposit is payable on booking, the remainder due two weeks before the first agreed tuition date.
Where multiple modules have been booked: A deposit of 50% of the total amount is payable on booking. 
The remainder is then split between the number of modules booked, each payable two weeks before the first agreed tuition date for each module.
The participant(s) will also be responsible for the cost of their accommodation, travel and subsistence/meals (not provided)
(Hornsea has a wide range of reasonably priced AirBnB properties to choose from.)
Materials such as leather and decorative materials will be charged extra where required (at cost). This will be discussed individually with each participant in advance. 
Basic materials such as board, plain papers, glues and sundries are included in the price.
Proposed programme dates will be discussed at the time of booking but some flexibility is offered and expected where agreed dates need to be unavoidably changed (for example due to ill health), providing sufficient notice is given.
Payment is accepted by cash, cheque or direct bank transfer. Sorry, no card payments.

How to Apply
Please note there are a maximum of only two or three places available per year for each module
For further information and an application form please Click Here or contact Glenn directly on glenn@glennmalkin.com