Christopher Wakeling studied Information Graphics at Nottingham Trent University from 1984 to 1987. Immediately after graduating with a BA(Hons), he was employed in London as a designer in several studios (Conran Design Group, Michael Peters & Partners, and Addison), and then as a partner in New Leaf Associates, a typographic design and production studio, from 1994 to 1999.

Wakeling had his own early workshop, originally kept at his parents' home in North Yorkshire, where he was printing on an Adana 8x5 and a demi-foolscap Cropper. In Summer 2004, he permanently moved his workshop to Shotley Bridge, Durham, and brought it under the freelance studio banner "Typographic Design Unit" (TDU).

In 2005, Christopher Wakeling started teaching typography and letterpress printing at Northhumbria University two days per week, while continuing his freelance design work under the TDU banner, designing books and printed literature. His letterpress workshop was used for self-promotional pieces, ephemeral work for family and friends, and other printings of personal interest. Printing continued on the Cropper and a German-built A3 Victoria parallel platen press. In 2025, Wakeling acquired a 1964 built Korrex Hannover press.

Between 2012 and 2017, Wakeling's position at Northumbria University became full-time, which meant his TDU projects were limited, although personal ephemera work continued, as did occasional published booklets.

Following a long illness, Wakeling reverted to part-time at Northumbria University, and commercial book design work under the TDU name was closed down. Instead, Corvus Works was established to concentrate on the long-held aim of designing, printing, binding and publishing limited edition books. The Cropper and Victoria were sold, and a single large parallel press was bought: a Schelter & Giesecke Phoenix IV.

Christopher Wakeling is a UK committee member of the Fine Press Book Association, and a member of the Oxford Guild of Printers.