Black LX Strips

Choose the width from the thickness of the complete document, including covers, tabs, inserts, and coated stock. Narrow LX Strips suit thinner text blocks, while medium strips handle greater thickness within the Fastback 9 capacity. Do not estimate from the printed sheet count alone because heavy covers and dividers add measurable spine thickness. Gather the final materials, compress them naturally, and use the machine’s sizing guidance. A strip that is too narrow may not wrap and bond correctly, while an unnecessarily wide strip can create an oversized spine. Keep width labels visible in storage so narrow and medium boxes are not mixed. The correct width supports a clean spine and helps the finished document open as intended.

A medium strip is appropriate when the assembled document exceeds the supported range for a narrow strip but remains within the Fastback 9 medium capacity. Medium LX Strips provide several color options for these thicker documents. Measure the full text block with its intended covers rather than sizing from plain sheets alone. If the document sits near a width boundary, follow the Fastback 9 sizing guide instead of forcing it into the smaller strip. The spine should hold the entire binding edge without excessive adhesive exposure or compression. Standardizing the cover stock and internal materials can also make strip selection more predictable across recurring reports and manuals.

Standard LX Strips are intended to allow limited editing on the Fastback 9, making them useful for reports, proposals, manuals, and other documents that may need a small correction after the first bind. Editing is not unlimited, so the file should still be proofed carefully before production. Follow the machine instructions for reheating, removing, or inserting sheets, and keep the text block aligned during the edit cycle. Repeated edits can affect the spine and adhesive quality. When extensive changes are likely, delay binding until the document is final or use a binding method intended for frequent sheet replacement. LX editability is a safeguard for minor corrections, not a substitute for controlled document preparation.

Composition Strips are better when the document is final and a permanent bind is wanted, or when the work is being produced on another compatible Fastback model. Black Composition Strips support the Fastback 9, 11, 15xs, and 20, while LX Strips remain specific to the Fastback 9. Composition options also include a wider spine range for thicker documents. Decide between the two supply families from machine compatibility, document thickness, and the need for later edits. Do not substitute one strip merely because the color and length appear similar. Clear storage labels and a machine-specific supply area help prevent the wrong strip from entering production.