Dimitris Koutsipetsidis

Bookbinder

Where craftsmanship and soul are bound for life

Dimitris studied linguistics at university but has been binding books since 2010
He uses materials such as fabric and leather, and tools like band nippers
A fellow bookbinder once referred to his books as ‘silent teachers’

“Bookbinding is when the human intellect and psyche are encased in a three-dimensional artefact that is functional, long-lasting and beautiful: the (bound) book.” This is how Dimitris Koutsipetsidis describes his craft, which he has been meticulously practising in Athens since 2010. "Bookbinding is an incredible amalgam of arts and crafts. It is this vastness and depth that I fell in love with, as it allows me to be many artisans in one," he says. Dimitris' journey in bookbinding started years ago at a book fair, when, mesmerised by the sight of handbound books and journals, Dimitris decided to try his hand and see if he could make a binding without any prior knowledge of the craft. Today, he uses all sorts of materials, from leather to copper, and makes some of his tools himself. His joy is to fuse incredible stories into existence.

Interview

What inspires and fuels your process?: Even the most seemingly irrelevant thought, memory, experience, imagery can find its way into my work. A maker’s mind is one of transmutation. Then, there is the constant tug of war between tradition and innovation. Sometimes, the desire to improve technically means I prioritise tradition; other times, the need to experiment urges me to try new things, in small, interesting ways.
What motivates you to keep binding, book after book?: Books are extraordinary pieces of technology: proof of our ability to collect, transform and create conveniently sized ‘arks’ of thoughts, that do not require power to function and can last thousands of years. Bookbinding is an amalgam of arts and crafts. This vastness is what I have fallen in love with. Plus, my craft allows me to work ‘with’ the greatest storytellers of all time.
How do people react when seeing your work?: I was once invited to introduce my craft to a high school class. I showed students how to make a longstitch leather journal, and one of them stayed silent, focused, lost in his thoughts. After the workshop, I saw him meeting a girl from another class and gifting her the journal he had just made. She burst in excitement and his face lit up. Knowing I had a hand in that moment is one of the most heart-warming memories I have as a bookbinder.
What wise words do you have for aspiring bookbinders?: Firstly, think of yourself as less of an artist and more of a craftsperson – bookbinding is 90% measuring, cutting, folding and gluing things together. Secondly, have a plan. Even if it does not work out the way you expected it to, you will still reach milestones and be able to evaluate and adapt accordingly.

Dimitris Koutsipetsidis is a master artisan: he began his career in 2010 and he started teaching in 2013