I am having trouble with my fastback workcell photobooks, what should I do?

For the most part, binding photobooks with the Fastback Photobook Workcell is trouble free. However, from time to time you may notice problems with your bound photobook. This article is designed to identify some of the most common problems that users can face with their photobooks and provides advice direct from Powis on fixing the problems. There are six common problems addressed in this article.

1. First page falls out or is adhered to the base of the front endleaf page.
   • With slick or static paper, the first page sometimes gets stuck on the endleaves and is not properly seated when clamped or the endleaf slides up during clamping. For this reason it can sometimes help to jog your sheets in a jogging machine to help reduce or eliminate static electricity that might have built up during the printing process.
   • For each bind, make sure pages are seated properly at the beginning of the bind cycle.
   • Use an endleaf slightly shorter than the pages to easily tap down pages. If your endleaf is longer than your pages you may only end up tapping on the endleaves and not actually align the pages of the book.
2. Middle pages falls out:
   • Typically a problem with split pages getting caught on each other as they are moved during transfer from the Splitter to the FB25.
   • Make sure pages are seated properly by tapping them down at the beginning of the bind cycle prior to clamping.
   • Try a Course Rate setting on the Splitter to reduce amount of edge expansion.
3. Whole sections don’t bind
   • Pages don’t adhere to the adhesive because of low binding temperature.
   • Confirm FB25 has properly warmed up for 10-15 minutes.
   • Make sure heating and rotating platen are clean and can properly heat the strip.
   • Contact Tech Support to confirm temperature settings.
4. Last page falls out or is adhered to the base of the rear endleaf page.
   • With slick or static paper and thick books, the last page sometimes gets stuck on the endleaves and shifts during the bind cycle, or the endleaf slides up during clamping.
   • For each bind, make sure pages are seated properly at the beginning of the bind cycle.
   • Use an endleaf slightly shorter than the pages to easily tap down the book block pages.
   • Hold the book block against the backrest with your left hand during clamping.
   • Contact Powis tech support to check calibration and alignment.
5. Print (Toner) Damage from heat of bind on full bleed pages:
   • Make sure you test bind with the endleaves to confirm problem.
   • Endleaves are usually thick enough to protect first page. Consider heavier or textured endleaf paper.
   • Insert a safety page in between the fold of the endleaves for added protection. This page can be removed after the binding and should not effect the wrap of the strip.
6. Glue does not go to the end of the page.
   • Confirm strips have uniform end gaps
   • Confirm that the binder is on a sturdy flat surface.
   • Confirm that the temperature is correct to provide sufficient bind strength.
   • Contact Powis tech support to check calibration and possible adjustments.