November 2008 - PUR: The Pinnacle of Strength in Adhesive Binding

Feiereisen's new PUR bound books can take any environment, including this one!

Feiereisen is pleased to announce the addition of PUR (polyurethane reactive) adhesive binding to our line up of services. PUR is the strongest adhesive binding method available and offers durability that cannot be achieved with traditional EVA hot-melt (ethylene vinyl acetate) glues. PUR permanently binds any job including those printed on coated stocks with lots of clay fillers and heavy ink coverage bleeding into the gutter. While cross-grain signatures will hold fast with PUR, they still should be avoided to prevent spine waviness problems, especially on thin books.

Top PUR Advantages

• Durability. For adhesive binding strength, PUR is the undisputed champ. Books bound with PUR glue consistently achieve page pull readings that far exceed the perfect bind industry standard of 3 lbs per linear inch. In fact, most PUR bound pages will rip leaving paper fibers attached to the glue long before the glue fails. PUR is an excellent binding method for extended use products like reference materials, heavy equipment manuals and public catalogs that need to stand up to excessive wear and tear.

• Flexibility. PUR is more flexible than thicker, harder EVA glues, and results in a softer spine. While PUR is technically not a layflat adhesive binding method, its pages lie flatter than those of traditional perfect bound books. In perfect binding a strip of glue must be applied to the entire spine from head to foot. PUR offers the flexibility to apply glue only in the places that are required for adhesion. Feiereisen can apply PUR in either strips or patterns. The strength of PUR allows us to keep it out of the head and foot areas where most waste occur.

• Temperature extremes. Traditional EVA glues may cold crack below freezing and loosen up or even melt on automobile dashboards on hot summer days.  Conversely, PUR holds strong in temperatures ranging from -40°F to over 140°F.

• Fast turnaround times. Experience less down time and faster turnarounds with new PUR application systems. Unlike only a few years ago, today’s PUR formulas cure in six hours or less. Your bindery only has to keep one PUR formulation in stock because it will work on any product. On the other hand several EVA formulations should be kept in stock for binding different types of books.

A “Greener” Finish

At Feiereisen, we strive to offer you the best in finishing options. The addition of PUR is just one more way we are ensuring that books bound with us are the strongest they can be. Contact us today to schedule your next adhesive binding project and discover the strength, durability and appeal of PUR for yourself.

The Feiereisen Advantage

Feiereisen, Inc. is a leading provider of post press and finishing services including die cutting, embossing, foil stamping, pocket folders, tab dividers, UV coating, film lamination, scoring and perforation, perfect binding, PUR adhesive binding and more. Founded in 1933, Feiereisen has manufacturing locations in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Kansas City.