San Francisco Center for the Book – San Francisco, California - Atlas Obscura
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San Francisco, California

San Francisco Center for the Book

This shop and studio is dedicated to the art of the book, from letterpress to bookbinding. 

Handbound Books made by students at San Francisco Center for the Book CKItamura (Atlas Obscura User)
San Francisco Center for the Book CKItamura (Atlas Obscura User)
Wood Type Cabinets at San Francisco Center for the Book CKItamura (Atlas Obscura User)
Metal Type at San Francisco Center for the Book CKItamura (Atlas Obscura User)
Printing on a Cylinder Press at San Francisco Center for the Book CKItamura (Atlas Obscura User)
Cans of Ink at San Francisco Center for the Book CKItamura (Atlas Obscura User)
Iron Hand Press at San Francisco Center for the Book CKItamura (Atlas Obscura User)
Book Presses at San Francisco Center for the Book CKItamura (Atlas Obscura User)
Tabletop Platen Presses at San Francisco Center for the Book CKItamura (Atlas Obscura User)
Lola at San Francisco Center for the Book CKItamura (Atlas Obscura User)
Letterpress Print Studio at San Francisco Center for the Book CKItamura (Atlas Obscura User)
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The San Francisco Center for the Book is dedicated to the art of the book, everything from the art and craft of letterpress printing to bookbinding. 

The center holds regular book arts workshops and has a fully equipped letterpress print studio with over a dozen antique printing presses, wood and metal types, plus a bookbindery and arts and crafts room. The gallery exhibitions range from private collections to retrospectives featuring book artists’ work.

Founded by Mary Austin and Kathleen Burch in 1996, 2016 marks the Center for the Book’s 20th anniversary.

Know Before You Go

San Francisco Center for the Book is open to the public Monday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Workshops are scheduled during the day, in the evenings (after exhibition hours) and on weekends. A full workshop schedule and details on directions and parking are available on the website.

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