Binding hardcover books with the Powis Parker Fastback binding system revolves around binding a group of pages (referred to as a “book block”) with an endleaf in both the front and back using either LX Strips with the Fastback 9 binding machine or Super Strips with the Fastback 20 binding machine.
Since the inserted endleaves are glued to the cover while the spine itself is not, it creates what is referred to as a “floating spine,” which adds longevity to the book by preventing creasing and cracking along the glued edge.
Pre-fabricated Fastback hardcovers are available in both portrait and landscape orientations with either “composition” covers or “suede” covers in a variety of attractive colors.
Though there are only page maximums when it comes to the binding strips, it is important to match the thickness of a book’s block to the appropriately-sized hard cover spine to ensure a proper fit.
For a highly-customized, full-color hardcover book, one might consider the Image Wrap process. A laminated printed sheet is cut to size using the appropriate hardcover guide then wrapped around covers with pre-applied adhesive with the help of the Powis Parker Image Wrapper. After endleaves are added to each side of the “book block” and the double sided adhesive sheets included with the covers are applied to each side of the cover’s interior, the “book block” is then inserted.
Neither type of cover actually goes inside the machine – only the “book block” bound with either the LX Strips or Super Strips.
To give your hardcover book a truly professional finish, create an indentation near the book’s spine using the Pro-Bind Hardcover Crimper to allow for easy page turning and to prevent unsightly creases on the cover.
If you have any questions about Fastback binding or how to make your own hardcover books, feel free to ask us within the comments section – we’re happy to help you!