Each course is open to a maximum of eight or ten students, allowing them to receive the personal attention required and creating a group dynamic beneficial to both beginners and more advanced students.

The courses offered at La Tranchefile allow students to master the different steps in the bookbinding process.

In the first session, the new student will learn the basic technique of the craft of bookbinding - sewing the book on sunken hemp cords - hard covers - cloth and paper covers.

In the following sessions, if desired, the student has the opportunity to learn different techniques such as:

• French binding (laced on boards):
  • leather and paper binding
  • full leather binding with raised bands
  • headbanding - hand-paring leather
  • coloured or marbled edges
  • silk, paper or suede endpapers
  • slipcases and storage boxes.
• Non-adhesive binding: limp binding inspired by medieval models or using innovative contemporary techniques.
• Slipcases and boxes : making and decorating boxes of various shapes and materials.
• During the year, different workshops will be offered to students, such as gold finishing and decorative papers.