What Happens After You Book a Venetian Plastering Course

After you book a Venetian plaster course at the Zavoré Academy in Birmingham, your course dates are confirmed by email within 24 hours, and then you plan your travel, your stay and the three or four days themselves. Nothing else needs buying in advance, because all materials and tools are provided.

This guide walks through the steps in order, so you know what to expect between pressing book and picking up a trowel.

How do you book, and what do you pay?

You can book online and pay in full, or call or email to hold a bench with half the price and pay the rest on the day. Both routes give you the same place on the same course.

To hold a bench with half the price, call 07592 929191 or email sales@zavore.co.uk. Course dates are shown on the training page. If dates are not yet set there, you can register your interest on that page instead. Not sure which course to pick? Our guide to what a Venetian plaster course costs sets out what each one includes.

When do you hear back about your dates?

Course dates are confirmed by email within 24 hours of booking. Keep an eye on your inbox, including the spam folder, and reply to that email if anything looks wrong.

Once your dates are confirmed, you can start arranging time off work and travel. If you have any questions about your booking, call or email us on the details above.

How do you plan travel and where to stay?

Plan your travel and a room as soon as your dates are confirmed. The courses are taught at our training centres in Birmingham, London and Manchester, and students join from across the UK and abroad.

Birmingham is central in England, and people travel there by train or by car. A 3 or 4 day course means you need somewhere to stay, so it helps to book early. Zavoré supports travelling students in two ways.

• A partner rate at a hotel near the Academy. Quote Zavoré when you book your room.
• Airport or station pickup, which can be arranged with your booking. The price depends on where you arrive.

We do not quote travel times or fares here, because they depend entirely on where you start. If you are coming from further away, ask about pickup when you book. Our guide to how long Venetian plastering training takes is useful when you plan how many nights you need.

What happens on the first morning?

Each day runs from 10am to 5pm, with lunch and refreshments included. You start with the theory, then move on to hands on work with your own panels.

On the Beginner Course the three days cover the following.

1. The theory, including what Venetian plaster is, how the materials behave and how a wall is built up layer by layer.
2. Surface preparation and base coats, then a wide range of textures.
3. The systems, meaning how many coats each product needs and how to protect the finish.
4. The finishes Marmorino, polished plaster and metallics, from bucket to burnish.

You will work in a small group, with up to six students per course, taught by working applicators who install these walls for clients. The Advanced Course and 1 to 1 Training follow their own syllabus, and the 1 to 1 is shaped around what you want to learn.

What do you need to bring?

You do not need to bring tools or materials, because the seat includes authentic Italian plasters, primers, waxes, trowels and panels. Wear clothes you do not mind getting plaster on, and bring anything that helps you through a full day, such as comfortable shoes.

Every seat also includes lunch and refreshments, so you do not need to plan meals during the course day.

What do you take home, and what happens afterwards?

You take home your finished panels, a Zavoré certificate and ongoing support. The certificate records the course you completed, and it is not a formal credential, so keep the panels with it as a small portfolio.

• Your finished panels, ready to show customers.
• A Zavoré certificate.
• Trade pricing on Zavoré materials. Trade accounts get ten percent off every material, applied automatically (see the trade page).
• A private course group with a helpline for life.
• For Advanced students, help to find, price and win a first paid decorative job.

For more on the certificate, read what a Venetian plastering course certificate is for.

Questions about booking a Venetian plastering course

How long until my dates are confirmed?

Course dates are confirmed by email within 24 hours of booking.

Can I pay a deposit to hold my place?

Yes. Pay half the price (£375, £600 or £750 depending on the course) to hold a bench, then pay the rest on the day. Call 07592 929191 or email sales@zavore.co.uk to do this.

Does Zavoré help with hotels or getting there?

Zavoré holds a partner rate at a hotel near the Academy, so quote Zavoré when booking. Airport or station pickup can be arranged with your booking, for a price that depends on where you arrive.

Do I need to bring anything?

No tools or materials are needed, because they are all provided, along with lunch and refreshments.

What if there are no dates on the training page?

If dates are not yet set, you can register your interest on the training page.

To book, call 07592 929191, email sales@zavore.co.uk or visit the training page.