Adhesive binding is a very demanding technology that leaves no margin for error. Material-related characteristics such as glossy, coated, or heavily calendered paper and adhesives establish the limits that cannot be exceeded without loss of binding quality.

Spine milling may be sufficient when processing book blocks with lightly sized or pulpy paper. However, when glossy, coated, or heavily calendered paper is encountered, its inability to expose fibers makes it inadequate. Traditional roughening techniques help to expose fibers to some degree, but in many instances they can be detrimental by destroying the fiber bonds at the paper edge. The MEKANOTCH™ was specifically designed to complement and enhance adhesive binding technology.