Paper Types Used in Book Printing: A Publisher’s Guide

Selecting the proper paper material is one of the most critical considerations in creating a book. While readers will often concentrate on their content and cover design, the quality of the paper utilized to produce the book will have direct ramifications on the readability, durability, price, and overall perception of the book by consumers. Paper selection is never left to chance in professional publishing; it is always a thoughtful, deliberate choice on the part of the publisher. 

The following guide provides information about the different types of paper that may be employed in book printing, how they vary, and how a publisher determines which type of paper will be appropriate for the book being printed, determined by a number of factors including book format, budget, and reader's experience. 

Why Paper Choice Matters in Book Printing  

Choosing your paper properly for your book is an essential consideration; however, while it may seem trivial in relation to text, the selection of paper also determines how a reader interacts with your book and the manner in which it lasts. 

Publishers assess paper very carefully because of the many ways that paper affects: 

-> The comfort at which a reader reads their text 

-> The type of ink that will be absorbed (or not) into the paper 

-> The actual weight of the book and the associated shipping costs 

-> The longevity of the book 

-> The overall production cost for the book 

By understanding the various types of paper and how they differ, authors are able to make better-informed decisions regarding their paper choices and reduce their chances of making costly errors. 

Common Paper Types Used in Book Printing 

Books require various types of paper to be printed, and there are many types of papers that are used by most professional publishers; see below for a list of the most common paper types used in professional book publishing: 

1. Offset Paper (Uncoated Paper) 

Offset Paper is the most common type of paper used for book publishing. Offset Paper is the most natural and matte-finished paper available on the market. In addition, offset paper offers the most comfort for long reading sessions. The most common uses for offset paper are as follows: 

-> Novels 

-> College Textbooks 

-> Non-Fiction and Academic Books 

-> Business and Self-Help Books 

Advantages of offset paper: re/offset paper is the most comfortable and takes Ink very well, therefore, it is also an economical choice when ordering in high volumes. Offset Paper is often regarded as the best paper for book publication when reading is of the utmost importance. 

2. Coated Paper (Glossy or Matte) 

Coated paper has a very smooth finish on the surface of the paper, which has been treated with a special coating to enhance color and sharpness when printed. 

Best Uses for Coated Paper 

-> Coffee Table Books 

-> Art & Photography Books 

-> Children's Books 

-> Image-Heavy Publications 

Advantages of Coated Paper: Coated Paper produces sharp and bright images; therefore, it produces better color images than other types of publishing paper; thus, it has a premium image and quality. On the other hand, Coated Paper is typically more expensive and heavier than Offset Paper and is therefore used selectively. 

3. Cream Paper 

Cream Paper is an alternative type of Offset paper that has a warm tone; therefore, it's less harsh on the eyes and has a more classic look compared to White Paper. 

Best suited for: 

-> Novels & Literary works 

-> Fiction 

-> Poetry 

Most publishers will prefer using Cream Paper for Fictional Works because it creates comfort while reading and gives the book a more classic feeling to it. 

4. White Paper 

White paper is used when you want to create a high contrast between the text on the page and also provide a crisp finish to the appearance of the text. 

Best suited for: 

-> Educational Materials 

-> Technical Documentation 

-> Reference Material 

White paper will improve the clarity of charts, tables, and diagrams and therefore, will be a more practical choice for instructional material. 

5. Recycled Paper 

The increase in recycled paper in the modern-world publishing industry has been driven by sustainable thinking. 

Who Should Be Using Recycled Paper 

-> Eco-Friendly Publishing  

-> Independent & Ethical Publishers 

Recycled paper supports an environmentally friendly print operation with a slight amount of color variation. 

Understanding Paper Quality for Book Printing 

GSM (grams/square meter) will be the standard measurement of paper; as the number of grams per meter increases, the paper becomes thicker. 

Typical GSM 

-> 70–80 GSM: Lightweight books, novels 

-> 90–100 GSM: Standard professional books 

-> 120+ GSM: Image-heavy or premium books 

Finding the most suitable paper quality for a printed book will require you to balance the costs, weight, and strength against each other. 

Best Paper for Book Printing by Book Type 

Publishers select the type of paper they use based upon what the book is going to be used for as well as who the audience for that book will be. 

The most used paper types by category are: 

-> Novels – cream or white offset paper 

-> Textbooks – white offset paper with a higher GSM number 

-> Children's Books – coated paper 

-> Art Books – glossy or matte coated paper 

-> Business Books – white/cream offset paper 

Using paper types that are appropriate for the content of the book will enhance the satisfaction of the reader as well as extend the life of the book. 

How Paper Choice Affects Printing Cost 

Choosing the correct paper has a direct influence on production costs. Such choices are affected by the following factors: 

-> The type of paper 

-> The weight of the paper (GSM) 

-> How many pages will be in the book 

-> Which printing method will be used (offset vs digital) 

When weighing the trade-off between quality and budget, many publishers find that heavier, more expensive, and/or coated papers lead to increased costs for both printing and shipping. 

Print vs Digital Printing and Paper Selection 

The way paper interacts with the printing process is different depending on which method is used. For example: 

-> Offset Printing uses bulk quantities of either uncoated or coated paper 

-> Digital Printing: is best suited for small quantities of printed items (such as print-on-demand) 

Professional publishers will choose a paper type that will work well with the specific printing process to create a consistent quality throughout the publication. 

Final Thoughts 

To create a quality book, it is essential to know what kind of paper will be used to print the book. Choosing the right kind of paper can help to improve the readability of the printed material, provide protection for the book’s printed materials, and add value to a book when being sold in the marketplace. 

The type of paper selected will provide credibility and allow readers of all genres; whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, or illustrated works, with an assurance that their published work has received a high level of professionalism. 

Selecting a quality paper type from the start of a publishing project demonstrates thoughtfulness and the desire to provide readers with a positive experience.