San Francisco Center for the Book

There are two machines commonly used to title books using heated type and dies: the Kwikprint and the Kensol. SFCB is fortunate enough to have both in our bindery! Combining heat with pressure, stamping machines can produce a lovely shiny image on paper, bookcloth, and leather.

Students will learn how to safely set up and operate both styles of stamping machines. Each one is best suited for either type or magnesium dies, and students will get a complete overview of both. They'll also learn the operational differences between the machines, and why they're used for different applications. Most of all, students will learn to troubleshoot a poor result.

This is a great class for anyone interested in stamping with metallic or matte foils on paper, bookcloth or leather; hot stamping can be used on anything from notecards to notebooks to boxes to fine leather bindings. For anyone interested in learning how to do gold tooling on leather, this class is an excellent introduction to the guiding concepts behind how to get a crisp, even impression.

Prerequisite:
None

Materials to Bring:
Please bring an example of something you'd like to stamp, and we'll at least discuss how to get the result you're looking for. Time permitting, we may even stamp it!

About the Instructor:
Juliayn Coleman has been a professional bookbinder since her graduation from the North Bennet Street School bookbinding program in 2003. Her private practice encompasses all levels of book repair and conservation, custom portfolio and enclosure making, teaching, and being a good ambassador for the craft of bookbinding in general. Some of her creative and professional projects can be seen at bookislandbindery.com.