MyBinding Knowledge Base
How do I bind a document with Fastback HalfBack covers?
Most owners of Powis Parker Fastback binding machines know that they can use their equipment to do tape binding. However, Fastback equipment is designed to do far more than just tape bind. In fact, fastback machines can be used to create perfect bound documents, to create note pads, to bind hardcover books, yearbooks, and can even be used to create photobooks. This article talks about a different type of Fastback binding. It involves using Fastback Halfback Covers, a special pre-formed cover that you can ink jet print and that wraps around the spine of your book. You don’t need a tape binding strip, the Halfback is both the strip and the cover.
Here are eight simple steps to binding a document with a Fastback Halfback binding cover with a Model 8, 8x or 9 binding machine…
1. Switch your Fastback machine into HALFBACK mode. This will tell the machine that you want to use a Fastback Halfback Covers. Once the machine is in the correct mode, the display will read: “READY TO BIND” … “HALFBACK.”
2. Select your Half-Back cover according to your document thickness. These covers are available in two different widths. Narrow covers can bind between 10 and 100 sheets. Medium covers can bind between 101-200 sheets. However, you will probably want to use your binding machine to measure the book so that you choose the right thickness of cover. All you need to do is place the document in the machine and press the bind button. The display will tell you what size of cover that you will need to use. This will help to account for different thicknesses of paper and cover stock that you might be using in your presentation or proposal.
3. Before you proceed in the binding process you may want to customize your Halfback cover. These special covers are designed to allow you to print them with an inkjet printer so that you can add a title to the front and the spine of the book. If you have questions about printing the cover check inside the box that the covers came in, they come with instructions on how to print them. Just remember that you CAN NOT print these covers with a laser printer. The heat will cause a big mess and probably ruin your printer.
4. Form your Halfback front cover into an “L” shape, by folding it along the score mark closest to the cover edge making sure the adhesive side faces inward. Place the document pages on the short flap so they are sitting on the un-melted adhesive and put the back cover in place. You can use almost any cover as the back cover provided that it is compatible with your fastback machine. For proper binding results, the Halfback spine flap must not be too curled prior to insertion in the binder. Flatten the spine by hand if necessary.
5. Tamp your document cover and pages on the front flat surface of the housing so that they are straight and place your assembled document into the binding recess. Then slide it all the way to the right. Tap the document on the top and the left to ensure all pages are even and make sure that the pages are all the way back in the binding slot. Finally, check and make sure that the document is aligned with the edge of the Halfback cover.
6. Press the BIND button to activate the machine and begin the binding process.
7. As soon as the display on your Fastback binding machine flashes “REMOVE BOOK,” you should pick up the document and carefully place it against a cooling fence. Leave the document to cool for at least five minutes before use.
Using these instructions you should be able to bind documents using your Fastback 9 binding machine and a HalfBack cover. Try it out for yourself and see just how easy the process can be.
< 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)
