Medium Super Strips

A medium-width strip is intended for documents with a finished spine thickness of approximately one-half inch to one inch. Measure the complete stack, including front and back covers, tabs, inserts, and heavier sheets, rather than estimating from sheet quantity alone. Different paper weights can produce very different spine measurements even when the document contains a similar number of sheets. A strip that is too narrow may not cover and bond the spine correctly. One that is unnecessarily wide can leave a loose or oversized appearance. Assemble one complete sample and measure it without compressing the stack too firmly. The final choice should allow the machine to form a clean, secure spine while keeping the cover edges properly aligned.

Match the strip length to the document’s binding edge. Letter-sized portrait documents normally require a different length from half-letter, landscape, or legal work. Measure the edge that will enter the machine rather than relying only on the name of the finished document. The strip should cover the full binding edge without extending far beyond either end. When several document formats are produced, the available Fastback strips can help organize supplies by strip family, width, and length. Keep each length clearly separated in storage because selecting the correct width but the wrong length can interrupt production and waste material. A sample bind should be completed whenever a new document format is introduced.

Yes. Covers, coated inserts, tabs, and heavier paper can change the finished spine thickness and may also affect adhesive performance. Measure the assembled document with every component included. Standard Super Strips are commonly used for routine uncoated stocks, while smoother, coated, or harder-to-bind materials may require a different Fastback strip family designed for that surface. Do not select the strip only by document thickness if the paper itself creates an adhesion concern. Bind one sample with the actual cover and internal stock, then allow it to cool fully before testing the spine. Sheets should remain secure without adhesive spreading beyond the intended area. When materials change between jobs, repeat the sample process rather than assuming the previous setup will produce the same result.

Choose a narrower strip when the completed document measures below the medium range, and move to a wider strip when the assembled spine exceeds it. A different Fastback supply may also be necessary when the machine model, paper surface, editing needs, or finished book style does not suit Super Strips. For example, coated stocks may need a compatible specialty adhesive, while another workflow may be better for hard covers or perfect-bound work. Available Fastback binding machines can help confirm which supply families belong with each system before a large order is placed. The safest decision combines machine model, measured spine thickness, binding-edge length, paper type, and desired finish rather than using color or sheet quantity alone.