Studio 5 Creative Studies in Contemporary Bookbinding and Book Arts.: Beginners and Improvers Bookbinding Workshop for May 2026

Saturday, 11 April 2026

Beginners and Improvers Bookbinding Workshop for May 2026

My biblionautic chums and friends.

Places available, a residential bookbinding course at West Dean College in May. Introduction to Flat Back Case Binding, inspired by Arts and Crafts style bindings (historical examples will be available to study) and Slip Case making.

I am delighted to announce that I will be teaching a bookbinding course, designed for the beginner/improver at West Dean College. Not only will you be introduced to 3 sewing techniques and 3 covering styles.... we will make sewing gauges, pricking cradles, 2 paper decoration techniques (this can be gloriously messy!) and masses of tricks and tips. In addition to all of that we will explore hot foil tooling and lettering. The workshop is fully equipped and all materials are included, though there is an on site art shop should you wish to go off piste. An intensive 4 days of learning, doing and making. For more information.....please follow the link

https://www.westdean.ac.uk/short-courses/s4d39825-arts-and-craft-style-flat-back-case-binding-and-slip-case-making

Please follow the link for a video (on my youtube channel) about how and why I make Flat backs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tNliTSkDm4

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Studio 5 Creative Studies in Contemporary Bookbinding and Book Arts. Manifesto.

The Studio 5 workshops and courses in Creative Studies in Contemporary Bookbinding and Book Arts offer a unique combination of specialisms in traditional and contemporary practises and skills. With a flexible delivery programme throughout the year enabling the individual student to maximise their learning experience. Over the last 20 or so years UK residents along with students and working artisans from all parts of the world have studied both part and full-time at Studio 5. Whilst it would be easy to increase numbers, the ethos of Studio 5 has always been quality not quantity. Studio 5 provides practical experience in making and doing. Studio 5 is very well placed to offer all suitable students a stimulating learning opportunity in the art and craft of bookbinding.
Aims of the Studio 5 course, Creative Studies in Contemporary Bookbinding and Book Arts
The scheme of study has been designed to enable suitable students of any age to study the Art and Craft of Bookbinding and Book Arts with the emphasis being on practical projects and workshops, balanced with theoretical understanding that offers a practical gateway in bookbinding and book arts. It is anticipated that students will acquire and develop skills that will enable them to become artisans, designers and artists who understand the importance of good working practices as a firm and practical foundation for contemporary and progressive work.

The intention of the Studio 5 course, Creative Studies in Contemporary Bookbinding and Book Arts is to:

provide a unique education in terms of the diversity of the mixture of art, craft and making

stimulate creativity in terms of traditional, contemporary and progressive/experimental working practices

provide artisanal training in bookbinding and book arts that can be used specifically for bookbinding and book arts or adapted for further use in other areas e.g. applied arts, graphic arts, installation work, restoration, private press etc

develop a student’s sense of professionalism

develop students’ critical abilities and awareness and an ability for self expression and collaborative works through projects

develop the understanding and application of relevant health and safety in the studio/workshop environment

develop the student’s ability to identify and solve technical and design problems and to become self motivated in working practices and out-put

provide knowledge, environment and facilities that enable students to work with hand tools, workshop and studio equipment safely and competently

provide a sound background in general and working knowledge with particular regard to bookbinding, book arts and associated practices

The Future

Since the inception of the earliest hand written book and increased availability due to inventions such as paper and printing, there has rarely been a time that the book has been out of the public domain. The genre of the book as a creative vehicle is growing in importance and understanding around the world. With the wonderful advances in technical communications and affordable equipment such as printers and graphic packages for computers along side the traditional processes, the scope for either the self-employed bookbinder, book artist or employed artisan, in an institution, company or college/university, to engage with the book has never been more varied, exciting and rewarding.

Back Story.

Studio 5 was opened in 2003 and is a professional bookbinding/book arts studio in South West London that offers a maximum of 4 dedicated work areas for students. From introduction days to extended programmes in contemporary designed bookbinding and book arts, the studio ethos concentrates on combining modern practices with traditional skills with emphasis on the creative. From the artist's sketch book to installation work, Mark Cockram has nearly over 30 years of working and teaching experience. Mark is widely respected and regarded, both nationally and internationally as one of the most original and imaginative bookbinders / book artists working and teaching in the UK today.

Mark Cockram.

Mark was elected Fellow of Designer Bookbinders in 2001 and Brother of the Art Workers Guild in 2008. Member of the Society of Bookbinders and is currently a Regular Visiting Tutor on the Foundation Degree-Arts Bookbinding Course at West Dean College. After studying art and design at Lincolnshire College of Art, Mark worked as a free lance artist and designer. He discovered his passion for bookbinding and book arts whilst working in Paris. After graduating from the bookbinding course at Guildford College of Technology (Diploma in Fine Bookbinding & Conservation), he went on to study Japanese bookbinding and related subjects at 'Studio Livre' Tokyo and London College of Printing (BA (Hons) Book Arts and Crafts). Mark opened his first bookbinding studio in Lincoln in 1992 and Studio Five, London in 2003. He works in fine contemporary bookbinding, book arts, printing and box art. Teaching various aspects of bookbinding / book arts in Studio Five, the UK, France, USA, India, the Philippines, China, Japan, North Africa and the West Indies. His work is eclectic, once being described as the Christian Lacroix of bookbinding. Mark's diverse work is represented in public and private collections around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Library. Since being elected Fellow of Designer Bookbinders he has been a regular Man Booker Binder. Usually working with one book at a time, using both traditional and contemporary materials, modifying or manipulating , developing and creating new decorative and structural techniques to realise the final design. Mark feels that being able to work with various styles, he is able to respond to the text, illustrations and mood of the book with honesty. Current projects include working on methods of board and cover attachment for fine designed bindings, print techniques, ways in which the book can be viewed within the contexts of the exhibition and the public or private collection, the artist's book and creating 3 dimensional, extended book sculptures and formats. A major theme of recent work has been to make more from less, to engage in up-cycling materials to make books. It is hoped that this research will lead to a more sympathetic way of working with the book, viewing the book; structure, manipulation use and enjoyment.

Studio 5 Creative Studies in Contemporary Bookbinding and Book Arts.

Saturday, 11 April 2026

Beginners and Improvers Bookbinding Workshop for May 2026

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Beginners and Improvers Bookbinding Workshop for May 2026

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