What are Fastback CP Binding Strips?

Fastback CP Binding Strips are a specialized strip configuration within the Fastback product line designed specifically for binding paper types that standard Fastback strips have difficulty adhering to reliably. The CP designation stands for Coated Paper — reflecting the primary application for which these strips were engineered. Understanding what CP strips do differently, which paper types they are designed for, and how to use them correctly allows Fastback operators to produce quality bindings on a wider range of paper substrates than standard Fastback strips permit.

Why Standard Fastback Strips Sometimes Fail on Certain Papers

Standard Fastback strips use a heat-activated adhesive formulated for standard uncoated paper stocks — the 20 lb and 24 lb bond papers used in the majority of office printing. When the same adhesive encounters coated paper, the clay coating on the paper surface creates a barrier between the paper fiber and the adhesive that prevents deep fiber penetration. The adhesive bonds to the clay surface layer rather than into the paper fiber structure, producing a bond that may appear complete immediately after binding but fails under normal reading and handling stress as the clay surface separates from the paper fiber beneath it.

What are Fastback CP Binding Strips

What CP Strips Are Made From

Fastback binding CP strips use a modified adhesive formulation with higher tack and deeper penetration characteristics that overcome the barrier created by paper coatings. The adhesive in CP strips is engineered to flow through the clay coating layer during the heating cycle and bond into the paper fiber beneath, producing a bond to the paper fiber rather than to the surface coating alone. This deeper penetration adhesive is activated at slightly higher temperature or longer dwell time than standard strips, which is why CP strips require specific machine settings rather than the default settings used for standard strip production.

Paper Types That Require CP Strips

Fastback binding machines using standard strips perform reliably on: uncoated 20 lb bond, uncoated 24 lb bond, uncoated 28 lb bond, and recycled paper. CP strips are required for: glossy coated text paper (the paper used in most commercial brochures, catalogs, and high-quality color printing), matte coated text paper (a coated stock without the high gloss surface), cast-coated paper (the highest-gloss coated stock used in premium photography and luxury printing), inkjet photo paper, and laser-finished paper with a smooth toner-bonded surface. When in doubt about which strip type to use, a test bind on a single sample document confirms whether standard strips produce adequate adhesion for the specific paper in use.

How to Use CP Strips

Using CP strips on the Fastback Model 9 or compatible machine follows the same general process as standard strip binding, with one important difference in machine settings. Set the thermal binding machine temperature to the CP strip setting specified by Fastback for your machine model — this is typically a slightly higher temperature or a longer dwell time than the standard strip setting. Jog the document pages firmly at the binding edge until all pages are flush. Insert the jogged pages into the CP strip with the spine edge fully in contact with the adhesive. Load into the machine spine-down onto the heating platen. After the cycle completes, remove and hold upright for 60 seconds while the adhesive cures. The curing time for CP strips is slightly longer than standard strips because the deeper-penetrating adhesive requires additional time to fully set.

Testing CP Strip Adhesion

After each CP strip binding, test adhesion quality before distributing the finished document. Allow the binding to cool for 5 minutes, then perform a page pull test: grasp the first page near the binding edge with two fingers and apply steady forward tension perpendicular to the spine. A well-adhered CP strip binding will resist page removal — the page should flex without pulling free from the spine. If pages pull free with minimal force, the machine temperature was insufficient for CP strip activation, or the specific paper being used requires additional temperature adjustment beyond the standard CP setting.

CP Strips vs Standard LX-PerfectBack Strips

Fastback hard covers and standard LX strips both rely on the same adhesive family designed for standard paper, while CP strips are the specific solution for coated paper binding. Operators who produce documents from both standard and coated paper stocks should stock both strip types and select the appropriate strip for each job based on the paper type in use. Mixing strip types — using standard strips on coated paper or CP strips on standard paper — produces either adhesion failures (standard strip on coated paper) or unnecessarily high adhesive penetration that may bleed through lighter standard paper stocks (CP strip on very thin standard paper). See How to Bind a Book with the Fastback 9 Tape Binding Machine? for the complete standard Fastback binding procedure.

CP Strip vs Standard Strip Comparison

When to Choose CP Strips Over Standard Strips

The simplest decision rule: if the documents being bound are printed on coated paper — any paper with a glossy, satin, or smooth matte surface that reflects light differently than standard copy paper — use CP strips. Standard copy paper and bond paper has a slightly rough, non-reflective surface. Coated paper has a smooth, light-reflective surface. If you can see your hand reflected in the paper surface (however faintly), the paper is coated and requires CP strips for reliable Fastback binding.

For organizations that regularly produce documents on both paper types, developing a clear workflow designation — CP strips for coated paper jobs, standard strips for standard paper jobs — prevents the adhesion failures that result from using the wrong strip type. Labeling the strip storage locations clearly and training all operators on the distinction between paper types produces consistent binding quality across all document types.

Troubleshooting

CP strip binding is producing adhesion at the top and bottom but not in the middle

The page stack was not fully jogged flush at the spine edge before insertion. Pages in the middle of the stack that were not flush with the binding edge received less adhesive contact than the top and bottom pages. Re-jog more firmly and re-bind with a new CP strip.

CP strip adhesion passes the pull test immediately but fails after a few days

The adhesive achieved initial surface contact but did not penetrate through the coating to the fiber. Increase machine temperature by 5 to 10 degrees and test again. Also confirm the CP strip used is current stock — CP strips stored in warm environments may have reduced adhesive effectiveness.

CP strips are adhering but the spine is not flat

The strip size selected is too small for the page count, causing the spine material to buckle during adhesive activation. Measure the page stack thickness and select the next larger CP strip size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use CP strips on standard uncoated paper?

CP strips can be used on standard paper, but the higher penetration adhesive is not necessary and the slightly higher temperature setting increases the risk of adhesive bleed on very thin standard papers. For standard uncoated paper, standard Fastback strips are the correct choice.

Are CP strips available in all the same sizes as standard strips?

CP strips are available in the standard size range matching document thicknesses from approximately 2mm through 25mm. Confirm current size availability with your Fastback supplier, as the CP strip line may have fewer size options than the full standard strip range.

Do I need a special machine to use CP strips?

CP strips work in the standard Fastback Model 9 and compatible machines. No special machine hardware is required — only the correct temperature setting for CP strip production, which is typically a higher setting than the default.

How do I store CP strips to maintain adhesive effectiveness?

Store CP strips in a cool, dry location away from heat sources. The adhesive in CP strips is heat-activated — storage near heat (radiators, direct sunlight, vehicles in summer) can partially activate the adhesive in the strip before use, reducing its bonding effectiveness.

Can CP strips be used with Fastback hard covers?

CP strips are designed for the standard Fastback strip format and can be used in combination with Fastback hard cover cases when the interior paper is coated. The hard cover case itself is not a factor in the CP vs standard strip selection — only the paper type of the interior pages determines which strip is needed.

Properly matched strip and paper type combinations are the foundation of consistent Fastback quality across all document types an organization produces. Building awareness of coated versus uncoated paper among all operators who use the Fastback system prevents adhesion failures that result from defaulting to standard strips regardless of the paper being bound.