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Both the UniBind and Powis Parker Fastback Model 9 appear to be similar thermal binding systems that yield professional binding for manufacturing documents; however there are very distinct differences between UniBind and Fastback. This article will help you understand the differences between these systems so that you can choose the system that best suits your needs.

Both the UniBind and Powis Parker Fastback Model 9
appear to be similar thermal binding systems that yield professional
binding for manufacturing documents; however there are very distinct
differences between UniBind and Fastback.

One of the most
distinct differences between UniBind and Fastback is that UniBind
utilizes a steel spine and Fastback uses a flexible binding strip.
There are some advantages and disadvantages to each method.

The
steel spine used by UniBind in the SteelBack, SteelCrystal, SteelMat
and SteelBook covers is a rigid, U-shaped channel with a thermally
activated adhesive. The steel channel offers a rugged bind, but does
not lay flat. One advantage to the UniBind method is that the pages of
the book can be stapled offering a secure bind. The staples will then
be hidden by the rigid steel spine. One of the biggest disadvantages to
the UniBind method is that the spine sizes are fixed widths. In other
words, a spine may fit a range of 30 pages. If your document is on the
smaller side of the range, you will see a gap when looking at the edge
of the book.

The Powis Parker system uses the Lx strips. These
strips are available in the Lx SuperStrip (similar to a linen finish),
the Lx CompStrip (leatherette), Lx Perfectback Strips for perfect
binding and the Halfback covers. The Model 9 also has the ability to
bind a hard cover as well as the new Image Strip from Powis Parker. The
wide range of binding methods available for the Model 9 makes it a much
more flexible binding system. The Lx strip is a paper based strip with
an aggressive thermally activated adhesive that is tightly wrapped on
the spine of the document. The result is a strong bind with a lay flat
finish. In the event that you are binding glossy or thick stocks, you
can stitch the edge of the book block prior to the binding process. You
will need to make sure that you flatten the staple prior to binding to
ensure that the staple does not come through the strip.

Another
major difference is in the pricing for each method. The Model 9 from
Powis Parker is approximately $1500.00 more than the UniBind XU 138.
While the Model 9 is quite a bit higher in price, the supplies are
dramatically less expensive. It cost less than $0.30 per bind with the
Fastback system while the UniBind system starts at over $1.00 per bind.
It is also important to look at the inventory costs when comparing the
two systems. UniBind covers are quite a bit more bulky than the
FastBack supplies as they have incorporated covers. UniBind offers 12
spine sizes to cover 1mm to 36mm or just under 1 ½”. Meanwhile the Lx
strip is only the binding spine and takes up a minimal amount of space.
The Fastback Model 9 has 2 spine sizes that go up to 1″.

Another
feature that is found with the Fastback binding system is the
environmentally friendly materials that Powis Parker has developed for
the binding strips. The company commitment of Powis Parker to develop
and promote sustainable product options allows for this unique binding
system to offer products such as SuperStrips that when combined with
paper reports allows for 100 percent recyclable alternative. Despite
the aggressive characteristics of the adhesive used to bind documents
with the Fastback thermal binding system, even the adhesive is proven
to be environmentally sound to promote green binding alternatives.

The
XU 138 from UniBind is a basic but very durable machine that is very
well suited for producing a series of documents that are of the same
spine sizes. UniBind has also become popular for photo books and other
hard cover binds as it is a one step binding process for the hard
cover. The Model 9 is a fast and easy to use system that offers a
premium finished appearance with a wide variety of finish options.
While the Model 9 binds in about half as much time as the XU 138, the
XU 138 allows you to bind multiple books in a single bind cycle.
UniBind offers very durable and attractive binding covers that are of a
much higher quality than traditional thermal binding options. Powis
Parker, however, offers the highest quality covers , strips and hard
covers on the market today for a premium finish every time.

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