Field Trips for Students & Educators
We offer field trips for elementary, middle school, high school, and college students, and classroom educators. A field trip to the San Francisco Center for the Book provides a lively introduction to the arts and crafts that go into making books by hand.
All students will receive a tour of the SFCB facility, a short lecture on the history of printing and binding, and an overview of the letterpress printing process, followed by activities that are tailored to each grade level.
Field Trips for Primary and Secondary School Students (grades 3–12)
2-Hour Field Trip
Students will operate the press to print a paper book cover, then fold text paper and sew a small, blank, pamphlet-style book to keep.
$300 for up to 20 students
Age Minimum 7 years old
One or more chaperone(s) per 5 students is required depending on the age of the students. Larger class sizes will incur an additional fee to cover extra expenses.
1-Hour Field Trip
Each student will then operate the press to print a small poster to keep.
Each student will operate the press to print a paper book cover, then fold text paper and sew a small, blank, pamphlet-style book to keep.
$300 for up to 20 students
Age Minimum 7 years old
One or more chaperone(s) per 5 students is required depending on the age of the students. Larger class sizes will incur an additional fee to cover extra expenses.
30-60 days prior to your requested date to determine availability. Please send 2-3 possible dates and times that will work for your group, along with the number of students, their age range, and whether you want a one or two hour visit. Discounts for public school programs are available, so please mention if you are part of a public school district. A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a specific date.
Ready to schedule your field trip? Please contact at alisa@sfcb.org.
Workshops for College and University Students and Educators
Make a Soft-cover Book
Bring together the basics of printing and binding with this project where participants print a folding cover and then use it as a cover for a traditional pamphlet stitch book. This is a 2-hour workshop.
Minimum of 5 people
Maximum of 20 people
$100 per person
Typesetting a Broadside
Learn some printing history and get your hands dirty! In this workshop, participants are introduced to essential elements of letterpress printing and then everyone will set their own name in metal type to print a group broadside. This is a 2-hour workshop.
Minimum of 5 people
Maximum of 20 people
$100 per person
Ready to schedule your workshop? Or have questions? Please contact chad@sfcb.org.