The best paper type and thickness for your book printing

Choosing the right paper type and thickness is an essential part of creating a professional and appealing book. The paper you select not only impacts the overall look and feel of your book but also affects the technical aspects of its design, such as margins and binding. Understanding the relationship between paper type, thickness, and your book’s genre will help you make informed decisions that enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of your book.

Selecting the Right Paper Type

The paper type should complement the content and purpose of your book. Here are common recommendations based on genre:

For novels and fiction, uncoated or matte paper in the range of 70–90 gsm (grams per square meter) is often preferred. This type of paper provides a classic, smooth reading experience without glare, making it easy on the eyes.

Nonfiction and memoirs typically benefit from slightly thicker matte paper, ranging from 80–100 gsm. This ensures durability while maintaining readability, especially for books with extensive text.

Children’s books often feature illustrations, so satin coated paper is a popular choice. A thickness of 100–130 gsm allows for vibrant colours and prevents illustrations from showing through to the other side of the page.

Photography and art books require high-quality coated paper, typically glossy or satin-finish, to enhance the vibrancy of images. A weight of 130–200 gsm is ideal to support the high-resolution visuals without curling or sagging.

Academic and reference books should use matte or uncoated paper in the range of 80–100 gsm for easy readability and durability, especially if the book will be frequently referenced or handled.

Understanding Paper Thickness and Its Impact

Paper thickness plays a significant role in the design and functionality of your book. Thicker paper increases the overall spine width of your book, which directly impacts the gutter and margins. Here’s how:

Thicker paper adds to the total page bulk, requiring wider margins to ensure text does not disappear into the spine. This is especially critical for perfect-bound and hardcover books, where the binding creates a curve that may obscure inner margins.

Books with thicker paper are heavier and may require reinforced binding, particularly for larger page counts. This can influence design choices, such as selecting lighter paper for longer books to maintain manageability.

If your book includes a mix of text and images, paper thickness helps prevent bleed-through, where text or images on one side of the page are visible from the other side. Choosing a slightly thicker paper ensures a clean, professional presentation.

Adjusting Margins for Paper Thickness

To accommodate the impact of paper thickness on your margins, you must update the gutter size as part of your final layout. Thicker paper necessitates a wider gutter to account for the curve of the spine.

Use the Book Printing Company Margins Calculator to determine the appropriate gutter size based on your paper type, thickness, and total page count. Once you have the correct measurements, update your document’s mirror margins and gutter settings in Microsoft Word to ensure your content remains easy to read.

Properly balancing paper type, thickness, and margins ensures your book not only looks great but also offers a comfortable and enjoyable reading experience for your audience. By making thoughtful decisions at this stage, you’re setting the foundation for a polished and professional final product.

 

 


  • Jeynelle

    GRThomas Books
    I cannot express how superb your service was. I was in an extreme bind due to another printer failing to deliver quality goods at the last minute before an event. I was very stressed and Donna went above and beyond to help me get reprints done in an impressively quick turn around even delivering them to my hotel. Quality was fabulous, service exemplary. Thank you
  • Matt Ranawake

    Fully recommended
    This is to recommend The Book Printing Company and Donna for excellent service “above and beyond the call of duty”. We wanted to get a book written by my Mum printed in a hurry. It was a small batch (50 copies) and the assistance we received from Donna was exceptional including delivery of the books ahead of time. Fully recommended Matt Ranawake Sydney