Bookbinder | Bindery Jobs | Bookbinding Jobs
Bindery Jobs - What is the Job of a Bookbinder? What does a Bookbinding Job Involve?
Bookbinders are responsible for combining printed sheets of paper together such as those found in catalogs, books, and magazines into a finished product, a process known as binding. When a publications such as a phone directory needs to be created it must be glued or stitched together to hold all the pages together.
Binary workers have the responsibility of operating and maintaining the machines that bind books, while bookbinders still finish books by hand.
Preparing leaflets and advertising is the most simple form of binding, as it requires folding. Binding of books is much more complicated, and these books are assembled from large sheets of printed paper, which are arranged sequentially. After these sheets have been lined up, the unfinished book is saddle stitched for binding.
Bookbinding jobs may also involve repairing rare books, a process which include sewing and stitching the books pages back together. Book covers are usually made separately and are glued to the bodies of the book. A paper book jacket may also be added in order to add graphics to the cover or to act as a dust jacket.
Bookbinders working in hand binderies perform tasks by hand in order to create one of a kind projects or limited printings. Bindery jobs may also involve using laminating machinery or cutting paper.
Working Conditions for Bookbinding Jobs - How is the Working Environment for Bindery Jobs?
The working environment of bindery jobs can be noisy and require a fast pace of work, especially if a bookbinder is working in an assembly line. Crouching, stooping, and kneeling are all common in a bookbinding job, although increasingly automated machinery reduces these stressful activities.
The vast majority of book binders work fulltime about 40 hours a week, although special printings and holiday hours may result in overtime.
Book Binding Education - How to Bind a Book - How to Receive Your Book Binding Training
Bindery careers only require that one be a high school graduate as most bookbinding training is learned on the job. Inexperienced book binders will be taught how to use cutting machines and fold paper properly. Bookbinder apprentices will also learn how to operate folding machines and other complex equipment, which can take up to a year, especially to learn how to use computerized binding machines.
Formal bindery apprenticeships are rarely offered, although additional educational programs are available for those who wish to specialize in specific areas of bookbinding.
Bookbinder Requirements - How to Become a Bookbinder
Bindery jobs require that one be accurate and patient, in addition to paying attention to details. Dexterity is important in order to be able to fold paper accurately and to operate complex automated equipment. Professional book binding certification is available for those who wish to advance with their bindery careers, and some book binders may advance to supervisory positions in a print shop.
Bookbinding Employment - What is a Bookbinder Job?
Over the next decade, bookbinder and bindery jobs will decrease by 21%. Computers have automated much of the process of bookbinding, and more printing companies are conducting all of their services in house. Bindery jobs will also be lost due to outsourcing and advances in binding technology.
Due to the high turnover in the bookbinding job field, employment opportunities will still be fairly strong, as many skilled bookbinders are aging and can be expected to retire in the next 10 years.
Bindery Jobs Pay Scale - How Much Do Bookbinders Earn?
In 2006, bookbinder jobs had median earnings of $14.55 an hour, with bindery workers having median hourly earnings of $12.29 an hour. Wages for bookbinding workers will vary depending on geographical location and whether they specialize in other areas such as desktop publishing.