Selecting the appropriate materials for your book and finding the right printer are crucial factors that should not be underestimated. They not only impact the book’s physical appearance but also influence how potential customers perceive its value for money. When requesting quotes from a printer, it is essential to know exactly what to ask for, whether you are working with a local printer or one overseas.
The information provided below should be considered as general guidance, as there may be variations depending on the availability of materials at the time and the preferences of your chosen printer. When in doubt, it is always recommended to obtain a sample.
Depending on the location of your printer, they may use different measurements to express the weight of paper, such as pounds per ream (#), grams per square meter (gsm), or points (pt). In this article, we will provide equivalents for both the US and the rest of the world. hardcover book printing
It’s important to note that papers manufactured for different purposes utilize different measurement systems. For example, a 100# cover stock is much heavier and more rigid than a 100# text stock.
Text Paper: Typically, the paper used for the text pages in a book is either coated or uncoated. Coated paper has a fine layer of china clay or a similar synthetic substance applied to create a smooth, sealed surface. Uncoated papers, on the other hand, refer to all papers that are not coated.
Coated papers come in various finishes such as gloss, art, satin, semi-matte, and matte. The principle behind coated papers is the same for all of them: ink sits on the surface of the paper, allowing for precise color registration and high-quality image reproduction. Coated paper is usually white, even if it may appear cream-colored in books where the non-illustrated areas are printed in a light cream color from edge to edge.
The process of applying coating on both sides of the paper tends to flatten the fibers. As a result, coated papers, despite having the same weight as uncoated ones, are noticeably thinner. This means that a book printed on coated paper will be slimmer compared to one with the same page count using uncoated paper. This difference in thickness might influence the customer’s perception of value for money. Publishers often compensate for this by using heavier gloss paper (ranging from standard 90 or 100 gsm/60# or 70# stock up to 120 gsm/80# or higher). However, it’s important to consider that using heavier paper can make the book significantly heavier, which may impact shipping costs, especially for large quantities sent by ordinary mail.
Uncoated papers offer a wide range of options in terms of weight, thickness, and shades of white and cream. They are non-reflective and suitable for various uses in book production. Uncoated papers can be as thin as tissue for Bibles and large reference books (known as bible paper) or as thick as card-like quality for children’s picture books.
The weight of text stock typically ranges between 70 gsm and 120 gsm/50# and 80#. One consideration when selecting paper is the potential for show-through, which occurs when printed matter on one side of a page is clearly visible on the reverse side. While this is less likely to happen with coated stock, it can be problematic with lower weights of uncoated paper. If you’re unsure about choosing a paper stock to avoid show-through, it is advisable to consult your printer for recommendations and obtain samples of pages printed on different weights of paper.
It’s important to note that not all printers allow clients to choose their own paper. Many printers purchase a limited range of paper types in bulk, specifically allocated to particular book formats. Digital printers, in particular, often use only one or two types of paper for black and white production (e.g., 80 gsm or 90 gsm/55# or 60#) and might increase the weight only for books with ink-heavy color pages. The choice of paper stock may also depend on whether your printer uses a sheet-fed machine (using single sheets of paper) or a large web-offset machine fed by large rolls of paper.
Paperback Cover: For paperback covers (also known as limp or softback covers), the ideal card weight is between 240 gsm and 270 gsm/12 pt. and 15 pt. Going beyond this range can make the book either too floppy or stiff and difficult to open. It is recommended to obtain a sample of the material to ensure it meets your requirements.
Hardback Cover: A hardback (or cased) cover consists of four main components: the board, endpapers, board covering, and dust jacket. In the past, board coverings would often be made of thin leather or textured materials. Nowadays, it is more common for them to be covered with printed paper that replicates the dust jacket or eliminates the need for a jacket altogether.
Board: Typically made from grey card, kraft board, or mill board, the most suitable weight for board covers is around 40 oz (1800 gsm/100 pt.). However, it can range from 16 oz (1000 gsm/55 pt.) to 48 oz (2200 gsm/120 pt.). Boards may warp if they contain excessive moisture when the endpapers are attached and subsequently dry out. This commonly occurs when the grain of the endpaper runs parallel to the grain in the board, instead of being applied at a right angle.
Endpapers: These are usually around 110 gsm/75#, although the thickness may depend on the book’s weight and format size. Endpapers help attach the book block to the board, so the material used needs to be robust enough. Endpapers can be left plain or printed with illustrations, patterns, or blocks of color. Unconventional types of endpapers, such as marbled patterns or recycled papers embedded with flecks of rag or other unbleached materials, are generally not preferred by printers due to the additional manual work involved in attaching them.
Board Covering: There are three common options for board coverings: reconstituted or synthetic leather lookalike, lightly textured cloth material, or fully printed paper covering (PPC). While cloth materials used to be dyed in the past, they are now more likely to be basic white materials printed in the desired color. Paper used for PPC covers should be around 260 gsm/90#, but it can range from 210 gsm to 270 gsm/80# to 100#. A leather-like or cloth cover would typically be embossed on the spine with the title, author name, and publisher’s logo.
Dust Jacket: Ideally, the dust jacket should be no less than 128 gsm/90#. Similar to endpapers, the weight of the dust jacket may vary depending on the size and format of the book. The heavier the book, the heavier the dust jacket, with acceptable weights going up to 160 gsm/110#. The dust jacket is often laminated, which increases its actual thickness.
Remember, these guidelines are general and can vary based on availability and printer preferences. It is always recommended to consult with your printer and obtain samples to ensure the chosen materials meet your expectations.