Workshops

Due to the growing interest in studying bookbinding in my studio, I will be offering 3 new spots in 2026. Please watch this space for updates regarding tuition fee and next available dates.

Location: Évora, Portugal (Europe).

Images from previous workshops with Ileana from in_libros_artis and Taj from @botanical_education

Personalized One-on-One Workshops

Learn bookbinding through personalized, hands-on instruction. These one-on-one workshops are designed to adapt to your skill level and interests, offering individual guidance at every stage of the process. 
You will work with professional tools and materials, learning both traditional and contemporary binding techniques. Each session focuses on developing practical skills while encouraging creativity by adopting an artistic approach.  
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a beautifully leather bound book of your own and the knowledge to continue this craft independently.

Case Binding Workshop

Duration: 5 days, 8 hours/day

Overview: This workshop includes all basic steps for the construction of a traditional case binding plus an intro into leather types, different leather dying methods, various decoration techniques (blind and foil tooling, stamping). You will learn every stage of creating a leather-bound hardcover blank book.

Course Structure:

Day 1: Introduction & Book Block Preparation

• Overview of the case binding process, tools and materials;
  
• Understanding paper weight, paper grain, cutting paper to size (straight edges or hand torn);
• Folding and punching the signatures;
•  Sewing the text block;
• Gluing, lining and rounding the spine.

Day 2: Headbands & Case Construction

• Sewing the headbands 
• Measuring and cutting the board and spine to size. Adding raised bands.
• Preparing and assembling the case structure.
• Overview of covering materials (paper, cloth, leather)
• Introduction to leather: types, characteristics, and uses in binding.
• Paring leather;

Day 3: Leather Work, Decorative Techniques

• Making paste (from rice starch);
• Applying leather to the case.
• Making the turn ins
• Introduction to leather decoration techniques (blind tooling, foil tooling, stamping, dying, hand painting);
• Creating the sketch for the cover design;

Day 4: Decorating the cover

• Applying the previously learned techniques to transfer the design onto the leather and create the desired decoration
• Tooling text / title / monogramming
• Preparation of the endpapers;

Day 5: Finishing off

• Attaching the text block to the case (casing-in).
• Pressing, drying, and finishing procedures.
• An overview of additional possibilities and techniques (turn in decoration, book fittings / metal decoration, methods for decorative endpapers);
• Protective measures and packaging;
  

A few moments from 2025 Bookbinding Workshop with Taj from @botanical_education

In-depth modules, offered as extensions to the Case Binding workshop: 

Edge Decoration Module

Duration: 2 days, 8 hours/day

Objective: Allows the participant to refine and complete their book with an unique edge decoration in various techniques. 

• Preparing and sanding edges for decoration.
• Choosing suitable materials: pigments, inks, metal foil and finishes.
• Edge coloring Technique
• Creating patterns, textures and effects
• Transferring a design, fore-edge painting by hand
• Gauffered edges
• Metallic Edges
• Protective coatings / polishing

Advanced Cover Design Module

Duration: 2 days, 8 hours/day

Objective: Gaining a more in-depth knowledge to create a complex cover design, using more advanced leather working techniques

• Overview of available techniques and materials, how to combine them
• Problem solving
• Inlay / Onlay
• Create raised surfaces / original cover structures 
• Advanced leather dying 
• Hand painting complex compositions
  
• Sealing off the design

All materials are included. Participants will have access to all necessary professional bookbinding tools, with guidance in their safe use.

Transport and accommodation are the responsibility of the participant. 

These workshops are intensive and were designed at a high pace due to foreign participants coming to Portugal for a short stay. Please keep in mind that I can always customize and adapt the programme according to your particular needs. The classes are intended for one participant at a time, but if you are interested in a joint class please contact me, and for any other questions, at contact(at)teo-studio.com .