6 Tips for Binding Books with Your Fastback 20 Binding Machine

The Fastback 20 binding system from Powis Parker is one of the most user-friendly thermal binding machines on the market, allowing even novice operators to create professional-looking bound documents in only 20 seconds with just the push of a button. In this post, we share six tips that will help make binding with the Fastback 20 as efficient as possible.

  1. Ensuring that the edges of all of the pages of your document are evenly-aligned before binding is key to creating a book that is durable and strong. Before inserting your document into the Fastback 20, firmly tap the binding edge against a flat, hard surface a few times. If you notice that your pages are uneven after you have inserted them into the binding channel and activated the book clamp, simply press the “OPEN” button to release the clamp. Jog the pages of your book and re-insert them into the machine before pressing the green “BIND” button again.
  2. The grain of your paper may impact the quality of your bind. For best results, the grain of the paper should run parallel to the binding edge. Paper that has a grain that runs parallel to the long edge of a sheet (i.e. the 11″ side of a letter-sized sheet) is referred to as being “grain long.” If the grain runs parallel to the short side of the paper (i.e. the 8-1/2″ side of a letter-sized sheet), the sheet is referred to as being “grain short.” A sheet of paper will flex more easily along the direction of its grain. Most standard copy paper is grain long, so it should work well with the Fastback 20. If you are binding with a new type of paper for the first time, it is recommended that you determine the grain and perform some test binds before doing any large production runs.
  3. Index tabs are a great way to divide the content of books. Tab dividers can be used in conjunction with the Fasback 20 binding machine, but not all styles are compatible. Many paper tabs work well, however most varieties with plastic or mylar reinforcements along the along the binding edge will not properly adhere to the adhesive used on Fastback binding strips. Contact your Fastback dealer for advice on which tabs to use with your book. It is highly recommended that you perform some test binds before doing any large projects using tab dividers.
  4. In order to allow the pages of your book to adhere to the spine, it is important that you allow the book to cool for 2 – 3 minutes after binding. The book should be placed in the cooling rack with the spine side down. Though the document can be moved out of the cooling rack after 2 – 3 minutes, it is recommended that you wait at least 5 minutes before opening it to ensure that the glue has time to set. Once set, the pages of a book bound using Super Strips can resist up to 50 lbs. of pull.
  5. Unlike books bound with traditional plastic coils or binding combs, Fastback-bound documents are completely recycleable. The adhesives that are used in the strips are environmentally-neutral, which means that they will not pollute landfills or water tables. Furthermore, the strips themselves are paper-based, making them a far more ecologically-sound binding option than plastic-based spines.
  6. Color copies that are made from older-model copy machines that use fuser oil may not bind well using the Fastback Model 20. Fuser oil and some specialty digital paper types can be difficult to adhere to, so they must be prepared with the Powis Parker Splitter Machine prior to binding. The splitter creates small slices in the binding edge of the paper, allowing the glue to penetrate the fibers and form a durable bind.

How Do I Make a Perfectback Book with the Fastback 20 Binding Machine?

You are probably aware that the Fastback 20 binding system from Powis Parker can be used to create both hardcover and softcover books using external thermal binding strips, but did you know that it can also create paperback-style books using wraparound covers? With Fastback Perfectback strips, you can create professional-looking paperback books, where the front cover, spine, and back cover are all a single piece of stock.

Perfectback-TA strips are similar to Super Strips in that they are made with thermally-activated adhesive, however the Perfectback-TA strips have a release liner in place of the decorate paper used on Super Strips. After the Perfectback-TA strip is applied to your document, the release liner is removed and the book is placed within a pre-scored cover. From there, the book is run through an additional binding cycle that will melt the adhesive and fuse the pages to the cover.

In addition to the Fastback 20 binding machine and Perfectback binding strips, you will also need a Powis Parker Scorer in order to crease your cover and prepare it for binding. The Powis Parker Scorer is specifically designed to work in conjunction with Fastback binding machines, and allows you to easily and consistently score covers for books up to 1-1/2″ thick.

Below is a step-by-step guide for binding a Perfectback book using the Fastback 20 and Perfectback-TA strips:

  1. Begin by going into the Settings and selecting “Cover Binding,” then “ON.”
  2. Arrange the inner pages of your document, then tap them repeatedly against a flat surface in order to align the edges. Place the book into the binding channel, sliding it to the right until it is flush against the side of the machine.
  3. Ensure that your pages are still aligned, then press the green “BIND” button to activate the book clamp. The machine will then measure the thickness of your book and indicate the proper strip width on the display screen located at the front of the machine.
  4. Insert the indicated size of Perfectback-TA strip into the guide on the right of the machine. The strip should be inserted with the adhesive side facing up.
  5. The binding cycle will begin automatically once the binding strip is pulled into the machine. The binding cycle will last approximately 15 – 20 seconds, after which the book clamps will open. Remove your book from the binding channel and place it into the cooling rack for 2 – 3 minutes. Note: The book should be placed directly against the cooling rack. If other books are already in the cooling rack, the new document should be placed at the back of the stack, not in front of it.
  6. While your book is cooling, prepare your cover. Ensure that it is more than large enough to wrap around your entire document on all sides. Next, you’ll need to score the cover to create creases that will allow it to bend and form the spine. For best results, it is recommended that you score with the image side of your cover facing up. Use the Powis Parker Scorer to score the cover along both edges of the spine, then place a third score near the spine on the front cover to allow it to open more easily.
  7. After the cover has been scored, make sure that the scores are placed the same distance apart as the width of the spine of your book. Gently fold your cover at the scores.
  8. Remove your document from the cooling rack, then peel off the release liner, working from one side of the book to the other.
  9. Place your document into the folded cover, ensuring that the front cover and the spine edge correspond with the front of your document.
  10. Insert the book into the binding channel, then press the green “BIND” button to close the book clamp.
  11. As soon as the book clamp opens, remove the book from the machine and tap the spine against a flat surface to ensure that the inner pages are firmly adhered to the cover. Note: If, after cooling, you find the pages of your book have not set straight, use the “EDIT” mode to re-melt the adhesive and then tap the book against a flat surface to straighten the pages.
  12. Place the finished book into the cooling rack with the spine side down and allow it to cool for 2 – 3 minutes. Note: For best results, the book should be placed directly against the cooling rack while it cools. If there are other books already in the cooling rack, the new book should be placed at the back of the stack.
  13. Use a stack cutter to trim the edges of the book as desired.

How Do I Bind Books with the Fastback 20 Binding Machine?

The Fastback 20 binding machine from Powis Parker is an innovative thermal binding system that transforms your reports and presentations into professional-looking, thermally-bound documents in as little as 20 seconds. Using convenient Fastback Super Strips, which have a layer of thermally-activated adhesive already applied, this machine binds books without the need for time-consuming punching or messy gluing. Below is a step-by-step guide to binding books using the Fastback Model 20.

  1. Jog the pages of your book by tapping them firmly on a flat surface. This will ensure that the edges are all aligned evenly and help to provide uniform adhesion along the entire spine.
  2. Place the book into the binding channel and slide it until it is flush against the right side of the machine.
  3. Push the green “BIND” button to close the book clamps around your document. Note: If your document is too thick to bind, the clamps will automatically re-open so that you can remove some pages. If you notice that the pages of your book are uneven after they have been clamped, press the “OPEN” button to unclamp them and straighten as necessary. Once the pages have been aligned, press the “BIND” button again to continue.
  4. As the book is clamped, the machine will measure the thickness and determine the optimum binding strip size. The display screen located on the front of the machine will indicate the appropriate strip size (either narrow, medium, or wide). Ensure that the length of the strip matches the length of your binding edge, then insert the strip into the guide on the right side of the machine with the adhesive side up. The strip will automatically be pulled into the machine and the binding cycle will begin. Note: If the binding cycle does not start automatically after the strip has been inserted, you may be prompted to insert the strip further.
  5. The binding cycle takes approximately 15 – 20 seconds to complete. When it has finished, the machine will beep and the clamps will open.
  6. Remove the finished book from the binding channel and place it into the cooling rack with the spine side down. Allow it to cool for approximately 2 – 3 minutes before removing it from the cooling rack, and allow it to cool for an additional 2 – 3 minutes before actually using your book. This will allow the adhesive to fully set.

How Do I Change Dies on My Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 Modular Binding Machine?

The Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 modular binding machine is a powerful and easy-to-use binding punch that combines versatility with performance. The manual punch is capable of punching up to 12 sheets per pull, and can be used with any of the 12 standard dies offered by Rhin-O-Tuff. In addition to its user-friendly operation, the OD4800 has been designed for fast and easy die changes without any tools necessary. Below is a step-by-step guide to changing dies on the Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 modular binding punch:

  1. If a die has already been loaded into the OD4800, then you will need to begin by removing it. Loosen the two die lock knobs (located on the right and left sides of the front of the machine), then slide the die out of the left side of the die slot.
  2. Clear any debris or paper dust from the die slot.
  3. Insert the desired die into the opening on the left and slide it until it is flush with the right side of the machine. Ensure that the punch pin retainer slides into the pusher bar slot.
  4. Tighten the two die lock knobs evenly until the die assembly is secured within the die slot. The inserted die is now ready to use.

How Do I Remove Punch Pins on My Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 Modular Binding Machine?

The Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 modular binding machine is a heavy-duty, manual binding punch that uses interchangeable punching dies to create up to 12 punch patterns. Made with a durable metal casing and metal gears, the OD4800 is designed for medium-to-high volume binding environments, such as schools and offices. Below is a step-by-step guide to removing punch pins from the die assemblies for the Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 modular binding punch:

  1. Punch a test sheet to identify which pins need to be removed. Any pins that leave partially-punched holes along the ends of your sheet should be removed to provide a more professional finish to your document.
  2. Loosen the die knobs located on each side of the front of the machine, then slide the die assembly out from the left side of the die slot.
  3. Set the die assembly down onto a flat surface so that the pin capture bar is facing up.
  4. Push down lightly on the pin capture bar and pull it away from the pin retainer to expose the punch pins.
  5. Remove the desired pins and set them aside.
  6. Replace the pin capture bar by lightly pushing down on the pin retainer and sliding it in place.
  7. Slide the die assembly into the machine, starting from the left side of the die slot and stopping when the right side of the die is flush with the right side of the machine.
  8. Tighten the die knobs evenly to secure the die assembly in place.

When you punch through your sheets, the pins that were removed will not create holes. You can re-insert pins that you have previously removed by sliding the die assembly out of the machine, pulling the pin capture away from the pin retainer, and replacing the pins. Once the desired pins have been inserted, put the pin capture back in place and slide the die back into the machine.

How Do I Attach the Handle onto My Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 Modular Binding Machine?

The Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 modular binding machine is a heavy-duty, manual binding punch that uses interchangeable dies to achieve a wide range of common and specialized punch patterns. Because it offers users the versatility of being able to select between a variety of punching styles, the OD4800 is a budget-friendly and space-saving alternative to investing in multiple stand-alone binding systems. Below is a step-by-step guide to attaching the handle onto the Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 modular binding punch:

  1. Remove the handle from the packaging material and remove the nut, washer, and bolt assembly.
  2. Position the handle so the the black grip extends to the right of the machine.
  3. Slide the handle onto the crankshaft, located on the right side of the machine. The holes in the handle should align with the holes in the crankshaft.
  4. Insert the bolt completely through the holes in the handle and the crankshaft, then place the washer and nut onto the threaded end of the bolt.
  5. Tighten the nut using two 3/8″ wrenches so that it is secure and the handle does not feel loose on the crankshaft.

Troubleshooting Your Rhin-O-Tuff 3250CL Coil Binding Machine

Specifically designed for office-use, the Rhin-O-Tuff 3250CL coil binding machine is a streamlined, easy-to-use coil binder that is made with heavy-duty components. This user-friendly binding system has only two buttons – one that operates the electric punching mechanism and another that activates the coil inserting roller. Below are helpful tips for troubleshooting the most common problems experienced while using the Rhin-O-Tuff coil binder:

Problem:

  • The machine will not punch holes through the inserted paper.

Possible Solutions:

  • Check that the power cord is plugged into a wall outlet.
  • Set the power switch to the “on” position. The power switch is located on the back of the machine, next to the fuse and the power cord.
  • Ensure that the wall outlet has power by testing it with another piece of equipment. If the selected outlet is not functioning as expected, you’ll need to repair it and/or move the machine to another outlet.

Problem:

  • The holes are punched through the edge of the sheets.

Possible Solutions:

  • If debris has collected within the punching throat, it may prevent the document from being completely inserted. Clear any waste from the punch, then re-insert your document and press the punch button.
  • When placing your sheets into the punch, make sure that they sit flush against the bottom of the throat before punching.

Problem:

  • The holes are not centered on the sheet.

Possible Solution:

  • After inserting your pages, slide them to the left so that they rest against the paper stop. This will center the pages withing the punching throat.

Problem:

  • The punching mechanism will not punch completely through the inserted sheets.

Possible Solutions:

  • It is possible that the machine has been overloaded. Remove a few sheets from the back of the stack, then press the punch button again to punch the remaining sheets.
  • The 3250CL can punch a maximum of 25 sheets at a time (based on 20 lb. paper). If you are punching thick cardstock or plastic covers, you should punch no more than 2 sheets at a time.

Problem:

  • The punching mechanism has stopped with the pins still in the paper and will not retract them.

Possible Solution:

  • Turn the machine power switch to the “off” position and unplug the power cord from the wall. Remove the black cap that is located on the right side plate. Using a flat-head screwdriver, rotate the exposed shaft counter-clockwise to manually retract the punch pins from the paper. Continue until all of the pins are completely retracted, then replace the black cap and remove the sheets from the machine.

Problem:

  • The spiral binding coil will not spin into the book when pressed against the electric coil inserter.

Possible Solutions:

  • Jog the book by tapping it against a table or other flat surface to ensure that the holes are all evenly aligned.
  • Use the book former (the channel located immediately in front of the coil inserter) to align the pages of the book along a slight curve. This will make inserting the coil easier, especially when binding thick books.

Problem:

  • The coil crimping pliers will not crimp the coil after binding.

Possible Solution:

  • Before crimping, ensure that the red dot is facing up when the pliers are held in the palm of your hand. The book should be held horizontally with the side to be crimped to the right. Turn the pliers horizontally and insert them into the coil. Hold the coil firmly between your thumb and forefinger, then squeeze the handle until the coil is crimped and cut.

How Do I Bind with the Rhin-O-Tuff 3250CL Coil Binding Machine?

The Rhin-O-Tuff 3250CL coil binding machine is a durable, feature-packed coil binder that is designed to stand up to the binding demands of an office environment. The 3250CL has an all-metal casing and heavy-duty internal gears for years of worry-free use. In addition to its quality construction, this model also has a number of user-friendly features, including simple, two-button operation, built-in coil diameter guides, and convenient storage drawers. Below is a step-by-step guide for binding books with the Rhin-O-Tuff 3250CL coil binder:

  1. Plug the power cord into a wall outlet and turn the power switch to the “on” position. The power switch is located on the back panel of the machine, next to the fuse and power cord.
  2. Insert up to 25 sheets (based on 20 lb. paper) into the punch. Align the pages against the left side paper guide, ensuring that they sit flush against the bottom of the punching throat.
  3. Push the punch button, which is located on the left side of the machine (between the punching throat and the electric coil inserter). Remove the punched pages from the machine and set them aside.
  4. Continue punching the pages of your document, working in sets of up to 25 sheets until all pages have been punched. For best results, cover pages should be punched separately from the internal pages of your book.
  5. Once all of the sheets have been punched, arrange the pages in order with the front cover on top and the back cover on the bottom of the book.
  6. Use the 3250CL’s built-in coil size guide to determine the size of spiral binding coil that is required based on the thickness of your book. The size guides are located in the two pull-out drawers on the front of the machine. Slide your unbound book into the various slots until it just fits – the number that corresponds to the slot indicates which coil size to use.
  7. If necessary, you can verify the size of the coil that you are using before binding to ensure an accurate spine selection. Place the plastic binding coil onto the peg that matches the size indicated during step 6 to verify that it is the proper size.
  8. Manually insert the plastic coil into the first 3 – 4 pages of your book.
  9. Position your document so that the coil is to the right and the holes are to the left. Press the coil inserter button (located on the right side of the machine, between the punching slot and the coil inserter) to activate the electric coil inserter.
  10. Gently touch the coil against the spinning roller, allowing the coil to spin through the open holes in the book.
  11. When the coil has been fully inserted, move the book away from the spinning roller. The roller will stop automatically after a period of non-use, or you can press the coil inserter button to stop it manually.
  12. Use a manual coil crimping tool to trim away the excess coil and crimp the ends to prevent the coil from spinning out of the book.

How Do I Bind with the RENZ SRW 360 Comfort Wire Binding Machine?

The RENZ SRW 360 Comfort wire binding machine is a 3:1 pitch wire binder that features a heavy-duty electric punch to provide increased productivity for high-volume binding environments. The SRW 360 features a high-capacity, 22-page punch and fully-disengageable punching dies, allowing it to accommodate a variety of document sizes with ease. Below is a step-by-step guide to binding books with the SRW 360 Comfort wire binder:

  1. If you will be using your SRW 360 Comfort for the first time, start by punching a sheet of scrap paper to remove any residue on the dies. Insert the paper into the punching throat and engage the punch using the foot pedal. Remove the paper from the punch and discard.
  2. Use the measuring scale located to the rear of the machine to determine the appropriate wire diameter. Stack the pages of your unbound book, and place them next to the scale. The line that corresponds to the top edge of your book will indicate the recommended binding wire size based on the total thickness of your document.
  3. Adjust the closing diameter of the wire closer so that it matches the size of the wire that will be used. The closing diameter is set by the sliding knob on top of the closer – simply loosen the knob, move it to the desired position, and re-tighten the knob to lock in the adjustment.
  4. Set the punching depth using the four-position knob. The greater the depth margin, the larger the amount of space between the edge of the paper and the punched holes.
  5. Use the side margin guide to center your document within the punching throat. The side margin guide is adjusted by loosening the attachment screw, sliding it into position, and tightening the screw to prevent it from shifting.
  6. Disengage any punching dies as necessary in order to eliminate partially-punched holes along the ends of your sheet. Dies can be disengaged by pulling upward on the corresponding arm until it stops. To re-engage a die that had been previously deactivated, push it back into the machine until it stops.
  7. Position the closing rail based on the diameter of the wire that will be used. The closing rail has two positions – one accommodates wires from 3/16″ – 1″ and the other is used with binding wires from 1-1/8″ to 1-1/2″. To adjust the closing rail, press the buttons located on each side of the rail and then flip the rail 180 degrees.
  8. Place the wire binding spine into the wire holder, which is located on the front of the machine. The wire holder will keep the wire steady so that you can insert the pages of your book as they are punched.
  9. Arrange the pages of your document in order from front to back, then place the back cover on top of the front cover so that they are facing one another. Turn the stack upside down so that the covers are at the bottom.
  10. Insert up to 22 pages (based on 20 lb. paper) into the punching throat, aligning them against the side margin guide. Note: If you are punching thicker paper or cover stock, you will need to reduce the number of pages that you insert into the punch to prevent jamming the machine.
  11. Press the foot pedal to activate the punching motor and punch through the inserted sheets.
  12. Remove the punched pages from the throat and place them onto the twin-loop binding wire.
  13. Repeat steps 10 – 12 until all pages have been punched and inserted onto the wire. The covers should the punched last and inserted onto the top of the stack, as this will help to hide the seam of the wire after binding.
  14. Lift the wire off of the wire holder and set it into the wire closer. The open side of the wire should be flush against the back of the closer.
  15. Pull the wire closer handle forward to clamp the wire shut. The closer will automatically stop based on the closing diameter that was set during step 3, which helps prevent over- or under-closing your wires. Return the handle to its upright position to open the closer, then pull your book out.
  16. Flip the back cover from the front of the book to the rear to complete your binding project.

How Do I Bind with the RENZ SRW 360 Wire Binding Machine?

The RENZ SRW 360 wire binding machine is a 3:1 pitch wire binder that offers heavy-duty manual binding and punching capabilities that are well-suited for use in offices and schools. The SRW 360 uses twin-loop binding wire to create books that are tamper-resistant and durable, making it an ideal choice for binding frequently-used documents like training manuals, catalogs, price lists, and more. Below is a step-by-step guide to binding books with the RENZ SRW 360 wire binder:

RENZ SRW 360 Wire Binding Machine
  1. If this is the first time that your SRW 360 will be used, it is recommended that you punch a sheet of scrap paper in order to remove manufacturing residue. Insert a page into the punching throat, pull the rear handle forward to punch through the sheet, then push the handle back to lift the punching dies. Remove the scrap sheet and discard it.
  2. Stack the pages of your document together and set them against the measuring scale located toward the back of the machine. The indicated measurement corresponds to the diameter of the binding wire that should be used.
  3. Set the wire closer to match the binding wire diameter. The closing diameter is adjusted using the sliding knob located on the top of the machine. Loosen the knob, slide until the knob is aligned to the desired diameter, and tighten the knob to lock it in place.
  4. Adjust the depth margin based on the thickness of your document. The thicker the book, the greater the punch margin that should be used. The SRW 360 has a four-position adjustable depth margin, which can be set by turning the punching margin knob.
  5. Position the paper guide to match the paper size of your document. Loosen the screw on the rear of the guide, slide it until it matches the length of the binding edge of your paper, and re-tighten the screw.
  6. Use the fully-disengageable punching dies to eliminate any holes that will be partially-punched on the edges of your sheet. Dies can be disengaged by pulling the corresponding pins straight up until they stop. If you need to re-engage a die, simply push the extended pin back into the machine.
  7. Adjust the wire closer rail to match the size of the wire binding spine. The closing rail has two positions – a setting for use with 3/16″ – 1″ wire diameters and another for wires from 1-1/8″ to 1-1/2″. To adjust the closing rail, push the buttons on both sides of the rail and rotate the bar 180 degrees.
  8. Place a wire binding element onto the wire holder at the front of the machine. The wire holder keeps your wire steady so that you can easily insert the pages of your book onto it as they are punched.
  9. Organize the pages of your book so that the back cover is on top of the front cover and they are facing one another. Turn the book over so that the covers are at the bottom of the stack.
  10. Insert up to 22 pages (based on 20 lb paper) into the punching throat. Align the sheets to the paper guide on the right side of the punch. Note: When puching thicker paper, you will need to reduce the number of pages that you insert in order to avoid overloading the machine. Covers should be punched separately from the inner pages to ensure a clean punch.
  11. Pull the punching handle (located at the rear of the machine) forward to punch through the inserted pages, then return it to its starting position to complete the punch. Remove the sheets from the punch and place them onto the binding wire.
  12. Continue punching the pages of your book in sets of up to 22 sheets until all sheets are punched and inserted onto the binding wire.
  13. Lift the binding wire off of the wire holder and set it into the wire closer. The open side of the wire should be flush against the back of the closer.
  14. Pull the closer handle (located toward the front of the machine) forward to activate the wire closer. The wire closer will stop automatically based on the diameter that was set in step 3. Push the handle back to its upright position to open the closer.
  15. Pull the book out of the closer and flip the back cover around to the rear of the book. This will conceal the seam of the binding spine within the inner pages of the book and provide a more polished and professional look to your document.