San Francisco Center for the Book

It’s fun, it’s elegant, it’s endlessly adaptable.

Created by German bookbinder and Bauhaus contemporary Otto Dorfner, this structure has been popularized and adapted by renowned binders such as France’s Jean de Gonet and Belgium’s Edgard Claes.

The Dorfner binding is a three-part structure characterized by an open joint. The boards are attached exclusively via the sewing supports. This leaves a deliberate gap at the joint and exposes a small area on both sides of decorative sewing supports. The open joint encourages the boards to be made from unusual materials.

The text block is rounded and backed so the boards fit into the shoulders. It has a leather spine with headcaps that is constructed off the book.

Students will work with leather and other materials to create this lovely versatile structure.

SFCB's Windgate Scholarship Fund is dedicated to providing need-based financial support to individuals interested in learning bookbinding, letterpress printing, and related book arts. Click here to apply.

Prerequisite: Experience binding books as well as working with and paring leather; Practical Leather Skills workshop or other leather binding workshops.

Materials to bring: All tools and materials will be provided. Students are encouraged to bring any of their own favorite bookbinding tools including paring knives.

About the Instructor: Beth Redmond (she/her) was first introduced to making books in the photography program at San Jose State. She loves binding books for their perfect marriage of functionality and creativity.  After learning the basics of a well-made book at SFCB she went on to study fine binding at the American Academy of Bookbinding in Telluride CO. She works primarily with leather to create bindings for public and private collections. Her work can be seen at bredmond.weebly.com.