Finding the right paper for your book printing project can seem overwhelming. With so many options to choose from – coated, uncoated, text, cover stock, etc. – how do you know which type of paper will work best?
In this complete guide, as a professional custom book printing service provider, we’ll cut through the noise and walk through everything you need to know to select the ideal paper for your book printing needs.
What is Book Printing Paper?
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s take a quick overview of book printing paper.
Book paper refers to the sheets used for the internal pages of books, as opposed to the thicker card stock that makes up the covers. There are a few key ways that book paper is categorized:
Finish: Coated vs. Uncoated
Color: White vs. Natural
Weight: Measured in grams per square meter (GSM) or pounds (lbs)
These factors determine the look, feel, and performance of the paper when printed. And as we’ll discuss, different types of books call for different paper specifications.
Choosing Between Coated and Uncoated Paper
The first big decision is whether your book’s interior pages should be coated or uncoated:
Coated Paper
Coated paper has an extra layer bonded to its surface, typically made from china clay or calcium carbonate mixed with adhesives and binders. The coating creates a smooth, non-porous surface ideal for sharp image reproduction.
There are a few types of coated paper finishes:
- Gloss – High shine, reflective surface
- Silk – Subtle sheen, not highly reflective
- Matte – Flat, non-reflective surface
Coated sheets excel at rendering photographs, illustrations, or other color content due to their ink holdout properties. The coating prevents ink from bleeding or soaking into the paper.
However, coated papers run thinner to prevent books from becoming too bulky and heavy. So text-only books may show more visible show-through on the reverse side of pages.
Uncoated Paper
Uncoated papers do not receive any surface treatment. The natural fiber paper texture allows inks to soak right in, creating less vivid colors. But this greater ink absorbency makes uncoated sheets ideal for book text, as they offer excellent readability.
While a smooth uncoated paper gives decent color reproduction, rougher uncoated finishes provide visual warmth and a traditional book feel. These papers are available in a broader range of weights and thicknesses as they do not drive up book weight.
White vs. Natural Paper Tones
Beyond coating, the second key paper specification is white vs. natural tone:
White paper undergoes full bleaching during production to remove lignins, the compounds behind yellowing over time. This achieves the brightest, truest whites. Contrast is excellent on white paper, yielding super sharp black text.
Meanwhile, natural paper only gets partially bleached. This leaves behind a percentage of lignins, giving it an off-white, cream color. Natural tones provide visual softness and feel less sterile for novel printing. Just know that inks appear slightly more muted on natural sheets.
Paper Weight Options by GSM
The density and thickness of printing paper are measured by grams per square meter (GSM). This gauge of “weight” impacts perceived quality, durability, and printing performance.
- Text Weights – Ideal for high page counts, these thinner papers run 50-80 GSM for optimal flexibility and affordability. Great for paperbacks.
- Book Weights – Medium-thick papers spanning 80-120 GSM give a quality feel while remaining easy to turn. Typical for hardcovers and manuals.
- Cover Weights – Heavy 120-200 GSM papers convey luxury and durability. Best for low page count books where weight isn’t an issue, like photography books.
Heavier sheets also prevent show-through from dense content printed on the reverse sides. But excess weight strains bindings and challenges readers to keep books laying flat. Finding the right balance for your title is key.
Choosing Paper for Book Covers
Beyond the inner pages, the cover stock calls for an entirely different paper specification. Sturdy covers not only protect the book guts, but play a starring role in sales appeal.
Cover papers come in matte, satin, linen, and gloss finishes to set the right aesthetic tone. These tend to be thick coated sheets around 250 GSM, but can run up to 400 GSM for luxury hardcovers.
Since your cover bears the full brunt of scratches, scuffs, moisture, and other abuse, always upgrade to the heaviest durable stock your printer offers.
Specialty Book Paper Options
Beyond conventional uncoated and coated sheets, consider these unique paper offerings:
- Environmentally-Friendly – Tree-free, recycled, and FSC-Certified options
- Textured Finishes – Linen, laid, cotton, and other material-inspired textures
- Colored Paper – Make bold statements with colored sheets integrated into page layouts
- Translucent Papers – See-through papers enable visual effects for graphic novels
- Letterpress Papers – With pronounced textures that catch inks across highs and lows
Don’t be afraid to inquire about custom paper capabilities from your printer as well. Many can source boutique paper mills across the globe.
Tips for Choosing Affordable Book Papers
Printing paper represents a major component of overall book manufacturing expenses. Here are a few budget-friendly tips:
- Favor smooth uncoated paper in natural tones for the best value
- Specify text weights around 60-80 GSM whenever viable
- Consider moving very image-heavy content, like photography, towards the center to enable lighter weight papers for the majority of pages
- Order large press runs for quantity discounts from paper mills
Key Takeaways on Finding the Best Book Paper
Choosing printing paper that matches your book’s spirit and function takes some deliberation – but you’re now equipped to narrow the options confidently.
To recap, coated papers promote vibrant inks while uncoated offers affordability and texture. White sheets provide high contrast versus natural tones for a relaxed aesthetic. And body pages means balancing durable weights against ease of use based on page count.
By dialing in the exact paper specifications for your title, you ensure every crisp page does justice to your carefully crafted words and images within. It’s one final (yet critical!) step towards bringing your book vision to life!