Books come in various sizes and shapes. If you are considering publishing one, you should know the type of paper used for them. So, what kind of paper are books printed on? Also, it would help if you learn how to choose the best paper according to your needs.
We always tell our clients that the book paper they choose will determine the book's quality and influence the reader's impression. Our expert guide will reveal the most common paper we use for book printing and help you find the perfect one for your needs.
What Kind of Paper Are Books Printed On?
Books and book covers can be printed on various types of paper. The choice of paper in your book printing process plays a crucial role in the book's durability, readability, and overall feel.
The most commonly used paper for books such as novels and textbooks is uncoated. They are typically manufactured from cellulose fibers and count as one of the high-quality materials used for book printing. The uncoated paper offers several benefits, such as:
Smooth to the feel and natural appearance
Excellent strength parameters
Anti-aging features
Low dusting tendency
Anti-glare
There are many subcategories under uncoated paper. You will come across offset, bully, recycled, and eco-friendly paper.
If you are considering printing on uncoated paper, we recommend you check their brightness, smoothness levels, finish, and quality. The brightness level indicates the percentage of light reflected to the viewer’s eye. Regarding the finish, uncoated papers can be found in smooth, super smooth, linen, laid, and vellum finishes.
Another paper type that can also be used for books is coated paper. Coated paper can have different finishes, such as gloss, dull, matte, silk, etc. Coated paper is typically the better option for books with high-resolution designs.
What kind of paper are book covers printed on?
In contrast to the interior pages, which are commonly printed on uncoated paper, the covers are coated paper. Thanks to the variety of thicknesses available, you can choose between a softcover and a hardcover.
If you are looking for a coated paper thickness that perfectly blends practicality and durability, we recommend the coated paper covers from 240 grams/square meter. However, we can help you find the right paper for your cover according to the content in your book, the number of pages, and the printing methods we will use.
What kind of paper are comic books printed on?
There are different comic book types, so we can print them out on various print papers. Generally looking, whether it comes to black and white or full-color comics, the most used paper is 60# and 70# matte.
Other popular paper types for comic books are half-matte, satin, gloss coater, offset, and even bulky paper. Also, newsprint paper is popular for comic books because it is lightweight and has a rough texture that gives the comic book a vintage feel.
Glossy paper is generally a choice because it provides excellent color saturation and visually appealing pictures. Typically, our clients request this type of paper for high-end comic book releases.
What kind of paper are coloring books printed on?
When it comes to coloring books, you will have the freedom to choose between almost every paper type. Yet, in the printing industry, we see most clients opt for newsprint paper or white uncoated paper stocks.
What Size Paper Are Books Printed On?
Unfortunately, there is no universal rule for the size of paper that should be used in books. It all comes down to personal preference. With the invention of the new technology used in the publishing industry, we can print books in various sizes.
In the USA, the most common book paper sizes are:
4.25" x 6.87"
5.5" x 8.5"
6" x 9"
8.5" x 11"
How to Choose the Right Paper for Your Book
What paper is used to print books? Well, it depends on several factors, such as:
Book type
First, it depends on the book type you are publishing. For instance, most lightweight paper options are the perfect fit for books with many pages, such as novels.
On the other hand, if you are publishing an art book or other type of book with many images, it might be best to go with papers with 100 GSM or higher.
Book size
You might be thinking, “How can the book paper size influence the type of interior paper I want to use?” As a rule of thumb, if you are printing smaller books, it is advisable to use thinner paper, and vice versa.
Besides the format you will be printing the book, the page count also matters. The higher the number of pages your book has, the more limited you are regarding the thickness of the paper. This is because choosing paper thicker than the recommended word count will make the book difficult to open and turn.
Budget considerations
How much you are willing to spend for your book production is crucial when deciding on paper. Luckily for you, there are various products of both coated and uncoated paper. From both categories, there are budget-friendly and premium options with special characteristics you can choose from.
Other important considerations
When you are choosing the paper for your book, you should also consider your audience. You can do market research and see what type of books and papers your audience prefers. Sometimes, you might need to reach an audience that likes more visuals, while others will prefer smooth papers and sharp text.
Hence, our final tips are:
Try to get a test sample so you can examine the print, appearance, and feel.
Ask our employees for professional advice; they will provide valuable insights into your best paper options.
Have in mind the brightness of the text and images and pick a suitable paper,
Think about the durability and longevity of the paper, and if it is your priority to avoid yellowing of the pages, go with acid-free paper.
Consider choosing cream paper for heavy textbooks to reduce the eye strain of the readers.
Conclusion
What kind of paper are books printed on? The appearance of your book is just as important as its content. Thus, knowing the paper type and how to choose the right one will help you bring your idea closer to your audience.
If you still don’t have a printing company in mind, feel free to contact us, and we will explain everything about our book printing services. We can use different printing methods and offer various paper and cover types.