San Francisco Center for the Book

SFCB is thrilled to welcome visiting instructor Islam Aly.

The stiff-leaf binding is a non-sewn technique ideal for assembling printed sheets into a rigid,durable book. Learn how to transform your prints and papers into a beautifully bound artist’s book using simple folding, gluing, and cover-making methods.

Learn the fundamentals of stiff-leaf binding, including hinge construction, page attachment, and material considerations with a balance of demonstration, hands-on practice, and discussion. Variations such as frames, windows, and layered pages will also be introduced.

Participants will create their bindings with time for troubleshooting and group discussion. By the end, participants will complete different sample books and gain the skills to adapt the structure for their projects.

Prerequisite:
Basic bookbinding experience (such as Introduction to Bookbinding) is helpful, but not required. Good hand skills are important, as some tasks involve precise cutting and folding.

Tools/Materials to Bring:
None. All tools and materials will be supplied.

About the Instructor:
Islam Aly is a book artist and lecturer of bookbinding at the German University in Cairo. He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Art Education from Helwan University, and later pursued an MFA in Book Arts at the University of Iowa, where he refined his artistic focus. He went on to complete a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning with a concentration in Art Education at the University of Iowa.

His practice lies at the intersection of culture, technology, and aesthetics. Drawing on historical bookbinding traditions and integrating digital technologies, Islam reimagines the role of the book in contemporary art. His work pushes the boundaries of book art, offering innovative approaches to how history and technology can coexist on the page.