Press, book binding press

London's bookbinders employed many specialist workers and often occupied extensive factories. Bookbinding was a labour-intensive manual trade which operated on a production line basis. The process involved three main stages: the 'making up' and stitching of the book, the 'boarding', and the 'covering' process. High-quality leather and cloth-covered books would typically be decorated.

In the large bookbinding firm of Westleys and Clark, up to 200 women were employed to fold pages and stitch them together on a sewing frame. Male employees specialised in skilled operations such as boarding and decorating. They also operated the large binding and embossing presses.

The press played a key role in bookbinding. After flattening the pages prior to sewing, it was then used to set the book spine and press the book after covering. This press was used by the firm J.M. Dent, publisher of the Everyman's Library series. Joseph Malaby Dent began his bookbinding business in Hoxton in 1872 before moving to larger premises on Great Eastern Street. His firm became well known for publishing classics of world literature at a price affordable to working men and women.