Bookbinders may:

Fold and sew signatures (sections of pages) to form book bodies

Compress sewn-together signatures of book bodies to uniform thickness

Apply glue to the backs of sewn signatures to stiffen the backs of book bodies

Trim books to size

Stack books and glue super-lining and back-lining on each book cover

Fasten the headband (cloth band) to the top and bottom of a book under the spine, if required

Apply color to the edges of signatures

Fabricate covers for books

Glue covers to outside end sheets and place books in presses to dry

Finish books by embossing lettering or designs on covers

Rebind damaged or worn books

Set up machines to perform cutting, trimming, and other operations

The tools, equipment and materials used may include:

Bookbinders usually work with a minimum amount of supervision. They work around others in large bindery departments or small shops, surrounded by bindery machinery. Work areas are well lighted and well ventilated. However, odors from paper, melting glue, stains, dyes, inks, and cleaning agents may be present. Bookbinding machine operations usually result in a moderate amount of noise.

Bookbinders must spend long periods standing, reaching, and stretching while feeding materials into machinery. Their work is not hazardous, but they must operate machinery with care.

The workweek for Bookbinders range from 35 and 40 hours, Monday through Friday. They may work in a bindery that has both day and night shifts.

Many Bookbinders belong to The Graphic Communications Union and pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Working with things and objects

• Working with your hands and machines

• Working indoors

• Seeing the physical results of your work

You Should Be Able To:

• See differences in shape/surface of books to check for defects/errors

• Follow written and spoken instructions

• Make decisions based on measurable information

• Adjust to routine, repetitive work

• Meet set standards

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If you have a sheet of leather that is 12" long and 9" wide and you are covering a book that is 10.5" long and 7.3" wide and the patter for the cover calls for a 5/8" overlap how long should the leather sheet be?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Should be able to read and comprehend binding terminology and procedures.

For example, over-sew the glued back edge of each section with a single thread of silk for 1/8", starting and finishing 3/8" from each end with a double stitch. The stitches should be about 1/2" apart.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

After taking inventory, prepare an order form for adequate amounts of material, thread, glue, needles, and other binding equipment.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Must be able to assess books and determine what type of bindings are best. Skilled Bookbinders usually must have 4 or 5 years of on-the-job training. This training may be gained by completing an apprenticeship program. To become an apprentice Bookbinder, individuals must be at least 18 years old and pass written and physical exams. Currently, no apprenticeship programs for Bookbinding are available in Michigan. For more information contact: U.S. D.O.L., B.A.T.; Federal Bldg., Room 657; 231 W. Lafayette, Detroit, MI 48826.

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

l0 ART , 0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript

A related job in military service as well as part-time civilian jobs as a Bindery Worker in large libraries or bindery shops may provide experience.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Bookbinder employer

internships

volunteer work with a Bookbinder employer

community service work with an agency

Most Bookbinders enter this occupation by applying directly to employers or contacting local civil service offices. Assistance in locating a job may be available from local unions representing Bookbinders. Although individuals might enter this occupation through apprenticeship training, currently no apprenticeship programs for this occupation are available in Michigan. You should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Earnings vary according to hours worked, union affiliation, job specialty, geographic location, and size and type of employer. In nonunion binderies, earnings are generally lower. Wage rates for Bindery Workers are considerably lower than rates for Bookbinders and are among the lowest for printing industry workers.

The average hourly earnings of unionized Bookbinders and binding workers in selected U.S. cities were (1998):

National earnings of apprentice Bookbinders start at a rate of pay 60% - 70% of a qualified Bookbinder's wages. In some printing shops, Bookbinders may receive extra pay for overtime work, and additional pay per hour for late-shift work, and cost-of-living adjustments.

In Michigan, Bookbinder and bindery workers employed in non-union shops earned hourly rates of (late 1998):

Bindery Workers and assistants working for the City of Detroit earned from $9.92 to $12.70 per hour (1998).

Fringe benefits received by Bookbinders vary from shop to shop. Those Bookbinders under union contracts usually receive health, disability, and life insurance; paid holidays and vacations; pensions, and funeral leave with pay. Some workers may also receive dental benefits. Most benefits are paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Bookbinders usually complete 4-or 5-year apprenticeship program. Less skilled bindery workers learn through a 2-year apprenticeship program or through on-the-job training. Generally, Advancement comes faster for those who have completed an apprenticeship program than those who have learned the trade through on-the-job-training. Experience and seniority are considered when promotions are made.

Nationally, about 85,600 Bookbinders and Bindery Workers were employed in 1996. Employment of Bookbinders and Bindery Workers is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2006. The industry distribution for Bookbinders looked like this:

About 2,625 Bookbinders are employed in Michigan. Bookbinders worked in bindery shops, printing shops, book publishing firms, and large libraries. A few worked in industrial plants which had printing departments.

According to the 1990 Census, 41.5% of this occupation were male, 18.4% were black, and 2.4% were persons of Hispanic origin.

Employment of Bookbinders in Michigan is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 70 annual openings is expected, with 30 due to growth and 40 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

In book printing, automation has been more prevalent in prepress operations and thus, has not affected Bookbinders as adversely as it has other occupations. Also, the public's needs for knowledge, information, and entertainment from books should remain high in spite of increased use of videotapes and other forms of electronic media. The Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids areas have larger concentrations of bookbinding establishments.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.