Gold Lettering with Hand Tools
Glenn Bartley, 26–27 September 2026
For those with experience of gold tooling techniques, this workshop will explore the process for lettering both traditional and modern bindings with individual hand tools and type holders.
With over forty years experience as a bookbinder, Glenn will share his personal approach to hand lettering – an approach which draws on traditional techniques and incorporates methods better suited to today’s bookbinder.
Working on prepared leather panels and dummy spine blocks, the workshop will concentrate on the various aspects of hand lettering to produce neat and pleasing results. These include the choice of typeface and font size, the principles of layout and spacing, and the considerations of overall design. The different approaches used for traditional versus modern work will also be explored, as well as a look at the various materials that can be tooled successfully. Attention will also be given to developing methodical working practices which are the foundation of successful gold tooling.
Equipment list
As this masterclass course is aimed at those with some experience of gold tooling, participants should bring along the following:
- Usual personal small hand tools
- Your own gold finishing equipment, ie gold cushion and knife, gold rubber (Blu-Tac), Vaseline, lighter fluid, cotton wool etc
- Brockman BS glaire will be used, a fresh supply will be available
- Real gold leaf will be available to buy (per sheet at cost), but a personal book of double thick leaf would be best
- A finishing press if you can
Items provided:
- Finishing stoves
- Prepared practice panels and spine blocks
- A selection of finishing tools and brass type & holders (but you may bring your own if you prefer)
Skill Level
This workshop is suitable for those with experience of gold tooling techniques.
Date and location
26–27 September 2026
The Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE
Price and other costs
- £185 for members of either Society
- £205 for non members
- Materials charge of no more than £35 to cover cost of leather panel and dummy spine and, additionally, students will be able to purchase gold leaf by the sheet if they do not have their own (current price is £2.80 per sheet but actual price is hard to predict)
Glenn Bartley studied bookbinding at Guildford College and subsequently worked for a trade bindery in Oxford for five years. He established his own workshop in 1991 – 2017. He has won several prizes for his bindings, including the UK Designer Bookbinders Competition Mansfield Medal and the Society of Bookbinders International Competition (Fine Binding category). Elected Fellow of Designer Bookbinders in May 1999, he has bindings in many private and institutional collections worldwide. He is currently Head of the Royal Bindery at Windsor Castle.