If you have a Powis Parker Fastback binding machine or are considering buying one you might have some questions about the different types of binding strips that are offered. This article is designed to give you a quick overview of the different Fastback Binding Strips that are available and what they are used for. Here they are ...

1. Fastback Super Strips are the most common type of Fastback binding strips and are used by the Powis Parker Fastback Model 11 and 15xs. These strips are available in a large number of colors and in three different thicknesses (narrow, medium and wide). Fastback Super Strips have a fast binding time (approximately 17 seconds with the new 15xs CP upgrade).

2. Fastback Speed Strips were originally designed for customers who needed a faster binding time than was available from Fastback Super Strips. However, with new upgrades Fastback Super Strips now bind much faster than they used to and Powis Parker will be discontinuing the Speed Strip.

3. Fastback Composition strips have a leatherette finish that is designed to match the coloration and look of Fastback Composition Covers. These elegant binding strips are available in Narrow, Medium and Wide and are available in Black, Dark Gray, White, Dark Blue, Dark Green, Red and Maroon.

4. Fastback Perfectback strips are designed to allow users to do short run perfect binding using their Fastback Machine. Fastback Perfectback strips are available in several different varieties including Lay Flat (LF), Pressure Sensitive (PS) and Thermally Activated (TA). Fastback Perfectback LF strips are designed for a flexible lay flat perfect bind. Fastback Perfectback PS strips are designed with a peel of liner for a two step perfect binding process. Fastback Perfectback TS strips are designed to attach books into their perfect binding covers using the same type of thermally activated glue used to bind the pages together.

5. Fastback CP strips are some of the newest strips available on the market and are designed to bind difficult to use paper stocks such as laser print or color copier paper. These strips use an extra long bind time (approximately 50 seconds) to bind documents that cannot be bound with other types of Fastback strips.

6. Fastback LX strips are designed for use with the Fastback 8x binding machine. These strips are available in narrow and medium widths and in a number of finishes including a linen finish (similar to the Fastback Super Strips), a composition finish and in perfectback configurations. Fastback also makes an LX-Photobook strip which is designed for use as part of the Fastback Studio Photobook Binding System. The Fastback model 8x will only work with LX strips and is not compatible with any of the other types of strips that Powis Parker makes.

The six types of binding strips listed above are the types of strips that are currently available from Powis Parker for their Fastback binding machines. However, one of the great things about Powis Parker Fastback is that they are constantly producing new and innovative products so you may see some new strips from them soon.