MyBinding Knowledge Base
How do I bind a book with the Fastback Photopress?
Binding the Book Block1. Remove the book block from the assembly caddy and place face down next to the PhotoPress. Handle the book contents carefully before binding. DO NOT SQUEEZE. Squeezing the book contents can cause the PhotoPress Signature Sheets and photos to stick together prematurely.
2. Open the PhotoPress. The PhotoPress locks automatically if it is idle for more than ten minutes. To unlock the machine, press the Unlock/Move button
3. Starting with the last Signature in the book, turn the Signature over and place it face up in the lower left corner of the PhotoPress platen. Tap the top and the right edge of the signature to ensure that the photos are properly aligned.
4. Continue turning over and placing Signatures in the PhotoPress, tapping each Signature on the top and right sides until all the Signatures and the cover photo have been placed in the PhotoPress.
5. Close the PhotoPress, press the Size Button that corresponds to the size of the book you are binding.
6. Press the green BIND button. The lights will stopping blinking and remain constant until the end of the binding process. When binding larger books, the PhotoPress binding process comprises three unique compression cycles. To ensure the best possible binds, it is important to choose the correct book size. Although there is no substantial difference between the bind times for each size, the pressure distribution does vary.
7. When the binding process is finished, remove the completed book block from the PhotoPress. It is now ready for you to attach the cover.
Adding the Cover
Once the book block is bound, assembling your hard cover book can be done quickly and accurately. After you have bound your book block with a Fastback PhotoPress all you need to do is add the cover and complete for your book. You will use the Fastback Hardcover guide for this part of the process. Actually, the process for binding a photobook with the PhotoPress is the same as it is for binding a hardcover or photo book with any of the other fastback systems. There are five simple steps for adding your cover.
1. Measure the pages of your book using your Hardcover Guide to determine the right size of cover for the project
2. Place your PhotoPress Photobook Hardcover into the hardcover guide. Peel back the narrow portion of the liner on the right side of the cover exposing the glue.
3. Use the stops on your hardcover guide to align your book and press it firmly into the adhesive. Make sure that the window on your endleaves will line up with the window on the cover before you do this since it will be very difficult to remove the book block once it has made contact with the adhesive.
4. Carefully lift up the contents of your book, peel back the rest of the liner on the right side of the cover and press your book into the adhesive. Your right endleaf will now be firmly attached to the photobook cover.
5. Finally, remove the rest of the release liners and bring the rest of the book block over to fasten the left side of the book into the adhesive. The guide should help you to keep your book straight using the purple stops. Press the endleaf firmly into the adhesive and then rub both endleaves to make sure that your book is securely bound.
< Over the years, a number of customers have asked me whether they can use twin loop wire with their plastic comb binding machine. These customers often don’t want to have to buy a brand new machine but like the look and feel of twin loop wire binding. However, the answer to their question isn’t as simple as it seems. You see, they actually do make twin loop wire that is designed to work with the plastic comb binding hole pattern. With that said, if you want to use these wires you are going to need a way to close the wires. What is Spiral-O Wire? Let me explain a little bit more…There is a product that we carry called Spiral-O Wire. This wire has 19 loops and is designed to work with the hole pattern from a plastic comb binding machine. Spiral-O Wire is sometimes called Wire Combs or Ibico Wire and was originally designed for use with some of the older Ibico binding machines. A number of the older Ibico plastic comb binding machines also included a twin loop wire closer on the front of them to allow users to use both plastic combs and wire. This 19 loop wire was designed for this purpose. What Equipment is Needed? As the Ibico brand has been phased out by GBC and all of the older Ibico plastic binding machines have been replaced with new models, they no longer have the twin loop wire closer on the front of them. This presents a problem in trying to use these spiral-o wires since you can’t use the wires without a way to close them. One of the only options left is to purchase a Twin Loop wire closer. However, since twin loop wire closers are not incredibly cheap this option usually only appeals to users who have larger electric plastic comb binding machines. Otherwise, it is often advisable to simply buy a low end 3:1 pitch twin loop wire binding machine (the supplies are cheaper). This being said, if you have one of the older Ibico binding machines that has a wire closer included you are in luck. The Spiral-O binding supplies that we carry will work perfectly with your machine and you will be able to use both plastic combs and wire depending on your needs. These Spiral-O binding supplies are available in Black, Silver, White, Blue and Red and in sizes up to 1″ in diameter. If you aren’t sure what type of wire binding supplies that you need to work with your machine simply give us a call. Our trained sales representatives will be glad to help you find the correct supplies for use with your machine.(Read More)
