Old Book in a New Coat → Book Repair 26/04

The course is in Czech language. ///

Do you have an old book from your grandmother or a beloved one that you accidentally spilled tea on? These are the books we don’t want to just throw away, even though their covers have been through a lot. Join our workshop, where you’ll breathe new life into your worn-out book! We will guide you step by step through the process of replacing damaged boards – how to measure them properly, create new ones, and add endpapers to bind the boards to the book block.

You’ll have the opportunity to decorate the covered boards according to your own imagination – using a piece of the original cover, a free collage, or any other creative technique. Your favorite book will get a new coat, and you’ll infuse it with a part of yourself. Revive a book that means something to you by restoring its functionality and giving it a fresh look that truly suits it!

Not sure which book to bring? The most important thing is that the book block is intact, while the boards may be detached, damaged, or even completely missing. For safety reasons, please do not bring books that are severely damaged by microorganisms or any books of artistic or historical value that could be harmed by the repair process. If you are unsure about your book choice, feel free to contact us at: obchod@reformat.cz

What can you expect at the workshop?

What to expect at the workshop:

• Introduction to the Reformát project
• A showcase of the books we will be repairing and discussing the repair solutions for each one
• Selection of materials and designs for the board covers
• Choosing paper for the endpapers
• Preparing and covering the boards
• Binding the book block with the boards

Why attend our workshop?

• We take a sustainable approach to creation and upcycle unused materials. All paper used in our workshop is second-hand.
• In our bookbinding workshop, history meets new technology. During the workshop, you will have the opportunity to work with bookbinding machines, both modern and those that are decades old.

Lector Eliška Rom

Eliška studied the field of “Conservation and Restoration of Paper, Books, and Museum Objects” at the Secondary Graphic School. This program, in addition to actual restoration, involved a lot of time spent creating historical book bindings, copies, and calligraphy. She is currently a student of the “Art History” bachelor’s program at Charles University, focusing primarily on 20th-century architecture. As a museum restorer, she is interested not only in the historical aspect but also in the properties of paper and other materials, and finding optimal ways to preserve collection items. She is fascinated by bookbinding as a way to artistically shape a three-dimensional object and connect artistic sensitivity with technological knowledge and craft skills. She is deeply committed to sustainability, which is why Reformát’s mission resonates with her. She sees workshops as a unique opportunity to revive the tradition of handmade paper products and inspire others to discover this craft.

/ workshop date: Saturday, 26/04/2025
/ time: 13.00–16.30
/ course capacity max. 8 participants
/ for beginners and the advanced
/ the workshop is suitable for ages 12 and up
/ the workshop fee includes all materials and components