MyBinding Knowledge Base
How to Make a HalfBack Book With Your Fastback 15xs?
The Fastback Model 15xs also lets you bind documents using our halfback covers. These covers are unique, because they’re a one-piece cover and spine, with an adhesive strip already built-in. One of the great Halfback cover features is that you can design it on a computer and print it on an ink jet printer-which means you can customize your book’s cover and spine with text, design, and photographs. And since the front cover and spine are one continuous piece, you can have text and images wrap onto the spine.
To create a Halfback document with your Fastback 15xs, follow these steps:
1. First select Halfback as your binding style in the Special Functions menu.
2. Choose the correct Halfback cover size for your document. The display should read “HALFBACK READY.”
3. Design your cover, using any graphic design or page layout program (even Microsoft Word).
4. When you’re ready to print, load your cover into an ink jet printer so the printing will be applied on the side without the adhesive stripe. With most printers, this means inserting the cover into the back of the printer, with the adhesive stripe facing down. Make sure to place the cover into the printer so that the spine is on the right. Do not use your Halfback covers in laser printers! Laser printers melt the Halfback adhesive and will damage or ruin your printer. Halfback(TM) covers can be printed using most popular brands of inkjet printers. Try a practice cover to see if your printer accepts the Halfback cover thickness and size.
5. Once your cover has printed, form the cover into an “L” shape by folding in along the crease. Stand it upright-with the adhesive flap laying on a table or desk-and place the book’s pages on that flap section so they are sitting on the un-melted adhesive. Make sure all the pages rest evenly on the flap, and then put your back cover in place. 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.
6. Now you’re ready to bind. Place your document in the binder, with the Halfback front cover facing the wavy binder fence. The back cover should face you. You can use any Fastback compatible cover as the back cover for your Halfback book. Many users choose a linen cover or a Fastback bindercover that will match the color of the Halfback that they are using.
7. Slide the entire document to the far right, and press the green BIND button to clamp your book.
8. Now press and hold the BIND button for one second until the Halfback binding cycle begins.
9. When the binder’s book clamps open, take your book out of the binder and set it on the cooling rack for a few minutes. It is important that you let your document cool for 5-7 minutes before you attempt to open or use it. Using your book or document before it is cool can cause the spine to become deformed or can compromise the integrity of the bind.
< 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)
