Book arts is a field of art that uses the structural and conceptual properties of books as both the medium and message, creating works that may combine text, image, or sculptural form to explore narrative, form, and meaning.
This artform encompasses the traditional crafts of bookmaking, such as papermaking, printmaking, typography, and bookbinding, alongside contemporary practices such as sculptural bookworks, installations, and altered books inspired by the book's form and function.
Book art is a dynamic field that transforms the book from a container for text to a form of art in its own right. It includes works that leverage both the physical structure and conceptual possibilities of books, from the printed pages to sculptural forms. Resulting creations may incorporate text, images, or both, and sometimes exist as three-dimensional objects.
Although books as an art form stretch back thousands of years, evidenced in Egyptian papyri, East Asian scrolls, and Meso-American codices. Today, the term "book art" also refers to a 20th-century avant-garde movement. In Europe and Russia, artists and writers began treating the book itself as a canvas rather than simply a repository for textual content.
In the early 20th century, publishers and dealers like Ambroise Vollard launched deluxe "livres d'artistes" such as Parallèlement with original lithographs by Pierre Bonnard illustrating Paul Verlaine's poems. Around the same time, Russian Futurists, followed by Dadaists and Surrealists, pushed the book's form, experimenting with typography, photomontage, collage, and non-linear layouts. These explorations laid the groundwork for treating the book as a hybrid medium that merges visual art, poetry, and design.
Within contemporary book art, several sub-fields have been identified.
Fine Press Books: Acknowledging books as precious objects, fine press work revives crafts of hand-set type, handmade paper, and exquisite bindings. William Morris's Kelmscott Press in the late 19th century foreshadowed this tradition, which continues today in presses such as Arion Press and The Gahenna Press.
Artist's Books: Defined as books conceived as artwork, these range from unique, sculptural one-offs to inexpensive multiples. Artists exploit graphic design, photography, printmaking, poetry, and unconventional materials or bindings to expand our conception of the "book" itself.
Sculptural Bookworks: These three-dimensional pieces use pages or book shapes as material, folding, cutting, or stacking volumes to create installations that blur boundaries between book and sculpture.
Altered Books: Existing books are reconfigured, with pages cut, painted, or collaged, to produce new visual narratives and tangible interventions.
Designer Bookbinding: Craft binders apply inventive structures, materials, and decorations to bind books as unique art objects.
Installations and Performances: In gallery or public contexts, artists stage immersive works where books serve as props, stage sets, or interactive elements, engaging audiences in the book's lifecycle as art.
Institutions, non-profits, associations, and other organizations focused on book art through education, exhibitions, and community. These include the Center for Book Arts, the Guild of Bookworkers, Focus on Book Arts, the Center for Book Arts (NYC), and the Minnesota Center for Book Arts.
Topics related to book arts are the focus of resources in this category.
Recommended Resources
American Printing History Association
The APHA fosters the study of printing history, particularly American, and the book arts. Established in 1974, the organization holds annual conferences and publishes "Printing History," a semi-annual peer-reviewed journal, the "APHA Newsletter," and "Fit to Print." Membership information, chapters, and volunteer opportunities are outlined, along with an overview of the organization's programs, publications, and contacts. An online store offers books and other items.
https://printinghistory.org/
Founded in Seattle in 1979 by a group of binders, printers, paper decorators, and librarians, the BAG has evolved into the largest book-arts membership organization in the Pacific Northwest. Its mission is to promote interest in and knowledge of all forms of book arts, including traditional crafts and contemporary artists' books. Its members include bookbinders, papermakers, calligraphers, printers, typographers, image makers, designers, librarians, collectors, publishers, and vendors.
https://www.bookartsguild.org/
The Book Arts and Bookbinding Web is a longstanding curated portal for those fascinated by the physical book as an art object. Included are several reference works, suppliers, professional organizations, discussion lists, and blogs, all focused on bookbinding and related crafts. Also included are online exhibitions and galleries showcasing fine bindings, decorated papers, artists' books, and historic collections. Also included are how-to guides, bibliographies, and featured projects.
https://www.philobiblon.com/
Briar Press is an online hub for those who enjoy letterpress printing. It began as Elizabeth Nevin's personal tabletop press, which she acquired in 1973. However, in 1994, she launched it as a non-commercial website to share historical and practical information and to build a global community of printers and enthusiasts. The site includes a virtual museum of printing presses showcasing presses from the 19th to 20th centuries, as well as letterpress classifieds and downloadable vintage artwork.
http://www.briarpress.org/
Located in Manhattan, CBA is the oldest non-profit in the United States devoted solely to the book as an art object. Founded in 1974, the CBA champions artists who explore every facet of book arts, from letterpress and papermaking to artists' books and binding techniques, through education, preservation, exhibitions, studio access, and community building. Its core programs and services include in-person and online classes covering letterpress, collage, papermaking, and bookbinding structures.
https://centerforbookarts.org/
CoOL is a digital library and community hub for preservation professionals around the globe. Hosted by the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC), the site features resources for conservation professionals (training, research, networking), the public (guides on caring for family heirlooms and personal collections), emergency response (help for collections affected by disasters), and education (promoting cultural preservation).
https://cool.culturalheritage.org/
The Washington, D.C.-area workshop specializes in fine bookbinding and printing. They create everything from full leather, 23kt gold-tooled artist's bindings to custom restorations and limited edition printings. The main sections of the website include a gallery of past work, binding presentations, restoration services, artist bindings, limited editions, a blog, and an online shop offering a rotating collection of hand-painted portrait and landscape journals, guestbooks, and bindings.
https://www.bookarts.us/
Founded in 1906, the GBW is an organization registered in New York City that promotes the craft of bookbinding, conservation, and the book arts. Membership in the Guild is standard, although not universal, among American bookbinders. The organization includes ten regional chapters that carry out the Guild's mission by offering similar activities in their local areas, including sponsoring exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, and local meetings. Membership information is provided.
https://guildofbookworkers.org/
Based in Evanston, Illinois, the Hive Center is dedicated to the belief that storytelling, through the creation of books, writing, binding, and reading, deepens and enriches community connections. Hive invites participants to explore how the physical act of creating a book can spark conversation, empathy, and shared experience. The Center hosts workshops, exhibitions, reading salons, and pop-up events throughout Chicago's North Shore, as well as online. Schedules are posted on the site.
https://www.hivebookarts.org/
The UK-based educational charity is devoted to teaching and promoting both traditional and contemporary bookbinding techniques and related crafts. Key activities include a program of regional and national workshops, an annual seminar/conference, competitions, exhibitions, educational films, pamphlets, a regular newsletter, and a bound journal. The Society also provides hands-on training and publishes resources. Membership data and a directory of binders are included.
https://www.societyofbookbinders.com/
