Photos: Bookbinding businesses keep the pages turning -- for now

Restoration specialist Grace Sanchez the cover of a family Bible for a client at Kater-Crafts, a family-run bookbinding company in Pico Rivera. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Dec. 29, 2014 4:36 PM PT

Hit hard by the recession and by digital media, the craft of bookbinding survives by finding new niches. But its practitioners are part of an aging and dwindling demographic. One big challenge: attracting more young people to the profession.

Kater-Crafts owner Bruce Kavin holds a menu made for the Seven Grand whiskey bar by Kater-Crafts. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Richard Kavin holds a lead type that he created on an old Intertype machine at Kater-Crafts, the bookbinding company he runs with two siblings. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Owner Richard Kavin works at an old Intertype machine at Kater-Crafts, the bookbinding business his father once ran out of their family home. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Metal dies for die casting are displayed at Kater-Crafts. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Miguel Olvera uses a press to stamp letters on a book spine at Kater-Crafts. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A book featuring embossment by Kater-Crafts. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Books bound by Kater-Crafts. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Bruce Kavin, left, Judy Howard and Richard Kavin, run Kater-Crafts, the 66-year-old bookbinding company co-founded by their father. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)