With the Fastback model 9 binding machine and Perfectback binding strips, you can bind professional looking paperback books right at your desktop. There are two types of Perfectback Lx-Strips. Which type of strip you should use will depend on what type of document you are binding. This article will talk about the two different types of Fastback LX Perfectback strips that are available and will talk about how you use each type of strip. It will also talk about the type of cover that you need to use these different types of binding strips.
Lx-Perfectback LF Strips
When it comes to Fastback Strips, LF stands for “Lay-Flat.” These strips create a book bind that lays flat when opened. The spine hinges free from the book block. This allows the book to open easily without creasing the spine. It also allows you to do the final binding without heat so you can use printing methods and cover materials that are heat-sensitive. Perfectback LF strips have two narrow bands of release paper, one on each side of the back of the strip. Once you have bound your document using your Fastback 9 binding machine (the same strips are also used on the Model 8 and 8x binding machines) you simply peel off the release paper and stick your bound book block inside your prefinished cover. If you need to, you can then trim the book down with a guillotine cutter.
Lx-Perfectback PS Strips
The other type of LX PerfectBack strip is called a PS strip which stands for “Pressure-Sensitive.” These strips have a full pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side of the strip, and a thermal plastic adhesive on the other side. The entire spine of the cover is completely bound to the book block. Then, the final binding is done without heat so you can use cover materials or printing methods that are heat-sensitive without worry. Pressure Sensitive strips have a narrow and a wide band of release paper on the back of the strip. The final results look like traditional softcover binding.
Your Cover
In order to produce a perfect bound book with either a Perfectback LF or PS strip you will need a cover for your book. After you have bound the contents of your book using your Perfect Back strip and the Fastback 9 you will then need to peel off the release liner and insert it into your cover. This requires you to have a pre-scored full wrap cover with a front, back and spine. In order to make this type of cover you will need to take a large sheet of paper and print it using a large format printer or copier. After your cover is printed, you will then need to use a scoring device such as the Fastback Scoring Machine to produce score lines in the cover and to create a spine for your book. Once your cover is scored, you then need to fold the paper along the score lines to create a box spine. After that, all that is left to do is stick your book block into the cover.
Finishing Your Document
Depending on the size of the perfect bound document that you have created it may be necessary to finish your book by trimming the top bottom and side of your cover. This is usually done using a large guillotine cutter. Using a guillotine cutter it is possible to trim your documents so that all of the pages are flush. However, it is important to remember not to trim too much or you will end up cutting off some of the content from your book.