Bookbinder (Buchbinder/in)
You make, repair and decorate books and other bound products, by hand or by machine. A 3-year training in a company and at vocational school.
What a bookbinder does
A bookbinder designs bound products in one-off or industrial production: they repair books, make special orders and, in production, run the machines and control the work steps.
Bind by hand
Make products using manual binding and casing-in techniques, for special orders.
Repair and restore
Repair damaged books and work carefully on the finishing or restoration of volumes.
Produce by machine
In industrial production, set up and run machines and control the production steps.
This occupation is for you if…
- you work carefully and have an eye for detail
- you have manual skill and dexterity
- you have a sense of aesthetics for decorating a book
- you accept the responsibility of working on precious books
Less suitable if…
- you dislike meticulous work that takes patience
- you are looking for a job that is purely office-based
- you do not want to work in a workshop or a production hall
A typical day in the workshop
What you will learn, what is expected of you
Technical skills
Hand bookbindingBook repairMachine set-upDecoration and finishingMaterial calculationQuality controlPersonal qualities
CareManual skillAesthetic senseSense of responsibilityPatienceHow the Ausbildung works
In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.
Basics of the trade
- Planning and organising work
- Preparing stations, tools, machines
- First bound products
Binding techniques
- Making by hand and by machine
- Choosing processing techniques
- Intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung)
Chosen options
- Two options, e.g. book repair
- One-off or machine production
- Final exam (Gesellenprüfung)
Exams and qualification
An intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) takes place before the end of the second year: written work planning and making a test piece. The final exam (Gesellenprüfung) has a practical task with a technical discussion, two written papers and a paper on economics and society. You obtain the Gesellenbrief (journeyman's certificate), issued by the Chamber of Crafts (HWK).
What you need to apply
Education level
German level
Physical fitness
Documents to prepare
- CV and cover letter in German
- Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
- German B2 level certificate
Advantages and difficulties
Advantages
- Paid training in a company
- Concrete work, from single books to series
- Options to shape your own path
- Progression to Meister or restoration possible
Difficulties
- Meticulous work that takes patience
- Work mostly in workshops or halls
- Some tasks are repetitive in series work
- The first months in German take effort
Where it can lead
Skilled bookbinder
Work in a print shop with a bindery, in print finishing or in a publishing house.
Gestalter im Handwerk
Specialise in creative product design with the Gestalter (crafts designer) qualification.
Meister or restorer
Work towards the Meister (master craftsman), antiquarian book restoration or a business management course.
Other trainings: Industry, metalworking and mechanics
Not quite convinced by this occupation? Here are related trainings in the same field.
We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany
Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.
Take the test online or at the office
The eligibility test is done online on our website, or by visiting our Douala office directly.
Take the testTalk to our team
Germany: +49 (0) 7033 694 18 80
Cameroon: +237 622 20 81 64
DZK, our language centre
Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK) is our own language centre in Douala. Outside Douala: partner language centres, call us to find the nearest one.
AZUFA is always us
AZUFA is our platform: it connects you with German companies that recruit apprentices and follows your application through to the training contract.
Go to AZUFAFrom German A1 to the first day of training in Germany
Each step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.
- 1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
- 2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
- 3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK
- 4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
- 5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA
- 6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
- 7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
- 8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Stay informed
Join our channels to receive new offers, session dates and advice. These are announcement channels: no private conversations.
Our structures for this occupation
Our platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.
Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.
Training offers for this occupation
No offer is open here at the moment. Browse apprenticeship offers on AZUFA, or receive an e-mail as soon as a partner company recruits.
See offers on AZUFA →Take this sheet with you
A 5-page document to read offline or show your family: the occupation, the training, the pay and the whole pathway, from German A1 to the first day of training.
Download the brochure (PDF)You may be wondering…
What German level is required?
How long does the training last?
Am I paid during the training?
Where can I take the eligibility test?
Where can I learn German?
What is a “Gesellenbrief”?
Can I choose a specialisation?
Ready to find out whether this occupation is for you?
Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.