San Francisco Center for the Book – San Francisco, California - Atlas Obscura
What's near me?

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)
This entry is a stub
Help improve Atlas Obscura by expanding San Francisco Center for the Book with additional information or photos.

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.

Visit California with Atlas Obscura Trips

Desert Canvas: Art of Joshua Tree and the Mojave

Join us as we venture deep into the High Desert, glimpsing massive sculptures, revitalizing domes, and fluorescent painted mountains along the way.

Learn More »
shopsliteraturebooksart
Community Discussion
Near This Place
San Francisco, California

Letterform Archive

Font fans, unite.
Molly McBride Jacobson Added by Molly McBride Jacobson
San Francisco, California

Walzwerk Restaurant

This eatery transports diners to a place that no longer exists: East Germany.
laurakiniry Added by laurakiniry
San Francisco, California

Prelinger Library

Appropriation-friendly collection of books, periodicals, and more.
Added by Facebook_690520806
San Francisco, California

Institute of Illegal Images

Museum befitting the city responsible for supplying the majority of the world's LSD.
littlebrumble Added by littlebrumble
Related Places
Surrey, England

'The Martian'

An enormous alien invades Woking, England, as an homage to the H.G. Wells classic "The War of the Worlds."
meltingknight Added by meltingknight
Juneau, Alaska

Wizard of Oz Metal Statues

On top of a sheet metal business in Juneau stand nearly a dozen charming Wizard of Oz statues.
Jake Uitti Added by Jake Uitti
New Orleans, Louisiana

The Secret Room at M.S. Rau Antiques

A treasure trove hidden within a treasure trove.
J Ginsberg Added by J Ginsberg
Austin, Texas

The Harry Ransom Center

The upstairs reading room is packed with millions of rare books, literary manuscripts, and historical treasures.
ATX Mike Added by ATX Mike