For most softcover book printing, covers are typically made from heavier 250–350 gsm glossy or matte art paper to deliver vibrant colors and added durability that protects the inner pages. Interior pages often use glossy or matte art paper for image- or illustration-rich content, while uncoated paper is ideal for text-heavy layouts or a more natural reading experience.
The selection of paper type and weight has a significant impact on your book’s visual appeal, durability, and overall reading experience. For paperback books, the cover typically uses a heavier stock, most commonly 250–350 gsm coated paper, to provide adequate stiffness, protect the interior pages, and deliver strong color reproduction with either a glossy or matte finish.
Interior paper choices vary based on the book’s format, page count, and intended use. For example, a 10″ × 10″ paperback children’s picture book with fewer than 32 pages benefits from heavier 200 gsm glossy art paper, which enhances color vibrancy, image clarity, and durability while creating a premium look and feel. For an 8.5″ × 11″ paperback coloring book with 64 pages, we usually recommend 140 gsm uncoated paper for the interior, as it works well with crayons, markers, and watercolor pencils while helping to reduce bleed-through. For a 5.5″ × 8.5″, 120-page softcover novel, 80 gsm uncoated paper is ideal, as it keeps the book lightweight, comfortable to hold, easy to read, and cost-effective for longer page counts.
At BookPrintingChina, we also offer a wide range of special papers and materials to meet unique design and branding needs. For example,
