Bookbinder Career Description
The work of bookbinders entails the making of a book from fiat sheets of paper or folded sections. They are responsible for "binding" the book together as well as making the various types of covers, which may be required to hold the book block together.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Bookbinders seldom perform all the different binding tasks although they will have received training in all of them. A number of machines are used for bookbinding in general, but specialised operations such as the repair of old volumes or the making of single copies of luxury volumes are usually performed by hand and require specialised skills.
A well-equipped bookbinding shop contains a variety of specialised machines, such as machines for folding, gathering, stitching, gluing, forming, case-making, casing-in etc. The trainees will learn a variety of skills, which will enable them to bind books in the manner required.
Bookbinders work indoors in well-lit and ventilated printing and bookbinding shops. The work among machines may be noisy, although hand-binding shops may be less noisy.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need?
One of the most important qualities needed by bookbinders, as with all other printing operations, is the ability to work with accuracy. A reasonable level of mechanical and finger skill is required and persons should be able to operate machines and perform
other mechanical tasks to a high degree of efficiency.
Where can I work?
Due to the tremendous technological changes
taking place in bookbinding there is a continuous demand for young people to be trained to a high level of competence and the prospects for motivated young people are unlimited. They can be appointed at the Government Printer or at anyone of a number of independent printing companies.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Due to the tremendous technological changes taking place it is not practical to be se1femployed.
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