Creating a Hardcover Book With Fastback and the Powis Parker Hardcover Guide

One of the great things about the Fastbackbinding system is that you can use it to create high quality hardcoverdocuments and photo books. This article will provide instructions forhardcover binding using your Fastback system and the Powis Parkerhardcover Guide (HCG2).

One of the great things about the Fastbackbinding system is that you can use it to create high quality hardcoverdocuments and photo books. Fastback Hardcovers are currently availablein many popular sizes including 8-1D2" and A4. They come in a number ofdifferent styles including: Suede and premium Composition covers aswell as Library and Art cloths, with a great choice of colors andmaterials. This article will provide instructions for hardcover bindingusing your Fastback system and the Powis Parker hardcover Guide (HCG2).

The first step in binding a hardcover document with Fastback is theassemble the pages of your book. Before binding your pages, placefolded Fastback end leaves at the front and the back of your printedpages. The folds should be at the spine side of your pages. Insert thisbook block (with the end leaves folded end down) into the bindingcavity of the Fastback binder Bind the book block using a HardcoverLinen strip. This strip was specially designed for binding hard coverbooks. They are more flexible than other strips so there is lessstiffness when turning the pages, plus they give an enhanced look toyour book. For a traditional finishing touch, you can even addheadbands to the top and bottom of the spine after binding the bookblock.

The correct cover spine width is determined by the thickness of thebound book block. After your book block has cooled, place it betweenthe right purple cover stop and the slider handle at the front rightcorner of the Guide. Slide the handle against the book block. Thehorizontal line points to the letter size of which cover width to use.Covers are available in six sizes, A-F.

When using wider covers (sizes C to F), it is necessary to use theplastic spacers provided with the Guide. Without these spacers, thebook block may skew, resulting in an imperfect bind. The spacers arestored in slots at the rear left corner of the Guide. We have providedthree spacers, although you only use two at a time. The third one is anspare. To use the spacers, push them into the lettered slots on thecover stops as indicated by corresponding width. For example, for an Ewidth book, the spacers should be inserted in the slots marked 'E'.

Slide the Instruction Card to the upper right corner of the base. Thewhite tab fits under the clamp and the front left angle fits behind thebase notch. For thicker covers, this card should be removed. Place yourFastback Hardcover on the Guide with the release papers facing up,(the back cover of the book should be to the right). Slide the cover tothe right rear corner of the base. The right and top edges of the covershould contact the right and rear steps of the base, with the coverunder the paper stops. Flip the lever to the right to clamp the coverin place and remove the strip of narrow release paper to the right ofthe spine.

With the front of your book block facing up, push the page edgesagainst the top and side green paper stops (and spacers if required).With the page edges held against the edges of the paper stops andspacers, push the spine edge of the book block down firmly onto theexposed narrow adhesive strip. With the spine edge attached, carefullyrotate the book block to the left. Remove the wide release paper on theright side. Roll the book block back to the right onto the exposedadhesive, securing the back end leaf. Remove both the narrow and widerelease papers on the left hand side of the cover. Lift the front coverover the top of the book block. The cover edges must contact the rearand side purple cover stops. Then press the cover down onto the bookblock. Flip the lever up to release your book. Open front and backcovers to smooth down the inside end leaves.

Your Fastback Hardcover book is done!