Paper weight and thickness
Paper weight is usually measured in pounds (lb) in the U.S. or in grams per square meter (gsm) internationally. The higher the weight, the thicker and more durable the paper is. Most novels and trade paperbacks have a weight of 50-60 lbs or 74-90 gsm. Higher quality books with more visuals, including textbooks and graphic novels are around 70-80 lb or 104-120 gsm.
For high-end books including art books or photography books filled with images or drawings with vibrant, vivid colors, we recommend a paper weight of 100 lbs or 148 gsm or higher.
Coated vs. uncoated paper
The paper’s finish plays a role in how the text and images appear. Uncoated paper, also known as matte, has no gloss and a soft, natural feel. It’s best for novels, poetry books, workbooks, and journals. It’s also easy to write on and available in a number of shades. Keep in mind, however, that matte paper also absorbs more ink, so it may have a slightly duller print appearance than coated paper.
Coated paper, also known as glossy or satin, has a smoother, polished surface that makes images seem to come alive with color. It’s best suited for photography books, magazines, graphic novels, and cookbooks where images are an integral part of the process. Glossy paper is more resistant to dirt, smudges, and fingerprints, but is also harder to write on. You can generally find it in three varieties:
- Glossy, which is very shiny and perfect for high-contrast images
- Semi-gloss/Satin, which is a “best of both worlds” between gloss and matte
- Matte-coated, which gives a softer look than gloss while keeping some vibrancy
Paper types based on book genre
Different kinds of books use different types of paper in order to maximize the print quality and make reading easy on the eyes. Here’s what we recommend:
Novels, poetry, and general fiction
- Uncoated, cream or white paper, 50-60 lb
- Cream-colored paper is often used for fiction to help reduce glare
- Gives a soft, natural look and is great for long reading sessions
Textbooks and workbooks
- Uncoated, smooth white paper, 70-80 lb
- Higher readability and durable for frequent use
- Write-friendly surface for highlighting or note-taking
Children’s books
- Thicker, coated paper, 100-130 lb gloss or satin
- Enhances illustrations and makes colors pop
- Offers added durability for repeated use
Photography and art books
- Heavyweight coated paper, 100-150 lb gloss or satin
- Provides sharp images with high-quality color reproduction
- Glare enhances contrast while the matte-coated option reduces glare
Graphic novels and comics
- Coated paper, 80-100 lbs, glossy or matte coated
- Offers rich, vivid colors for artwork
- Matte-coated gives a softer, more sophisticated look, while gloss increases color vibrancy
Workbooks, journals and notebooks
- Uncoated paper, 60-80 lb
- Easy to write on with either pen or pencil
- Durable enough to handle repetitive use
Paper opacity
Paper opacity refers to how much text or images show through the paper. The higher the opacity, the harder the paper is to see through, which is important for double-sided printed pages. You’ll find that budget books often have low opacity paper and suffer from some of the effects such as ink bleed-through. Higher-quality paper opacity, on the other hand, is ideal for books with images, while a medium quality is perfect for novels and textbooks that aren’t particularly image-heavy.
Paper color choices
Did you know that even paper color affects readability? It’s also a choice that’s central to the design aesthetic of your book. Bright white paper is the most common for nonfiction, technical books, and children’s books, while a cream or natural white is popular for fiction or poetry because it reduces eye strain. Occasionally you’ll also see colored paper, which is more commonly used for workbooks, themed journals, or other creative projects.
What about eco-friendly paper or specialty paper?
You’ll be glad to know that BookBaby offers a number of durable, beautiful, and professional-grade printing paper styles for every need and budget. All of our paper stocks are acid-free and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Acid-free paper prevents the pages from yellowing over time, making it the best choice for archival-quality works. We strive to be environmentally responsible and choose sustainable options where possible.
We also offer a number of specialty printing paper choices for more unique projects. We’re able to accommodate various trim sizes and binding options, giving you a custom book printing experience that’s far beyond what’s possible with ordinary print on demand services.
Your next steps to printing your book
Choosing the right kind of printing paper for your book depends a great deal on the genre of your book, the aesthetics you want to present to your reader, and your budget. There’s a great difference between the next great novel and a stunning photography book. The good news is, whatever you’re creating, BookBaby can help you bring your vision to life with superior quality printing paper, design, formatting, and more.
Contact us today and let our book publishing and printing experts help guide you through the process from manuscript to masterpiece.
Beyond helping you choose the right type of printing paper, we can also help with editing, book cover design and even marketing your book. See why thousands of authors recommend us and see for yourself how a professional touch can give you an edge on both digital and retail store shelves!