5/16 – 5/20
Titling in Gold
with Don Glaister

Historically, bindings had titles, almost without exception. They were very often rendered in gold leaf on the spine. In the middle of the 20th century, however, designers of fine bindings began to consider the appearance of titles as optional, and that trend still continues. The change from obligatory titling to optional titling has resulted in two seemingly opposing viewpoints: that titling doesn’t matter, and there is no reason to learn it, and titling matters because if it is chosen to be part of a given design, it had better be done with the same degree of skill as other tooling and decorative techniques used in that design.

You may not be surprised to discover that this class strongly promotes the second viewpoint! This one-week course will outline the simple yet precise techniques necessary to achieve elegant gold titling. Students will be exposed to two titling methods: loose brass type arranged in a hand-held type holder (composer) and handle letters (individual brass letters mounted in wood handles).

This class will build a strong practical foundation in titling through personal guided instruction, including body form mechanics, tool heat and pressure, blind tooling, the handling of gold leaf, and titling in gold. Significant emphasis will also be placed on learning to make adjustments and correct errors that will inevitably occur. Once this foundation is built, the rest is practice. Class size is limited to eight.

This is a required course for the Fine Binding diploma program.

Prerequisites: Bookbinding experience is encouraged but not necessary.

Materials fee $140 (includes a 25-leaf gold pack)

Registration will be completed via the American Academy of Bookbinding.