Paper, Materials & Construction FAQs

What paper should I choose for a text book, photo book, art book, or children's book?
It depends on the type of book. For text-heavy books, uncoated papers usually work best because they are easier to read and feel more natural. For novels and similar books, a lighter stock like 50 lb Novel White is a common choice. If you want a little more weight, 85 lb / 128 gsm is a popular step up. For photo books, art books, and other image-heavy projects, coated papers usually work better because they hold color and detail more clearly. For art and coffee table books, some customers choose heavier stocks like 105 lb / 157 gsm art paper for a more substantial feel. For children’s books, it depends on the format. Board books use a laminated board-page construction, so they do not use a standard interior paper setup. Hardcover and perfect bound children’s books often use coated papers for brighter illustration work. If you are unsure, the sample pack is the easiest way to compare the options in person.

What is the difference between coated, uncoated, matte, and glossy finishes?
Coated papers give you a smoother surface and usually stronger image reproduction, which is why they are common for photography, art, and color-heavy projects. Uncoated papers feel more natural and are often preferred for novels, journals, and books with a more tactile, paper-forward look. Matte and glossy usually describe the coating or lamination finish. Glossy gives more shine and punch. Matte looks softer and reduces glare. The right choice depends on how image-heavy the project is and how you want the book to feel in hand.

What cover materials do you offer for hardcover books?
The standard hardcover cover material is a printed case wrap. We print it on 157 gsm glossy art paper for good color reproduction, then finish it with either matte or glossy lamination. If you want to upgrade from the standard printed wrap, you can switch to cloth or linen, faux leather, or specialty cover materials such as Wibalin. You can also add other cover options and finishes, such as foil stamping, a dust jacket, or other finishing details.

How do I choose between matte and glossy lamination for the cover?
Both are popular, and neither one is better by default. Glossy lamination gives the cover a brighter, more vibrant look with more shine. Matte lamination has less glare and gives the cover a softer, more understated look. If you want the colors to stand out more, glossy is usually the better choice. If you want a quieter, more refined look, matte usually makes more sense.

What paper weights are most popular for hardcover, perfect bound, children's books, and art books?
The most common interior paper weight for both hardcover and perfect bound books is 85 lb, and that is our standard option for most projects because it gives a good balance of thickness and durability. For text-heavy books, customers often go lighter, such as 50 lb Novel White, 55 lb Classic White, or 65 lb Classic White, depending on the page count and feel they want. For art books, photo books, and other image-heavy projects, 105 lb is a common choice, especially when the book has fewer pages and the customer wants a stiffer page. For children’s books, if it is a hardcover or perfect bound format, 85 lb and 105 lb are both common choices. If it is a board book, it is different from a regular paper-page book, because we print on 350 gsm cardstock and bond the sheets together to build each board page to about 1 mm thick. For perfect bound covers, the standard cover stock is 12 pt. If you want to compare what those differences feel like in real life, order the sample pack and review the paper guide.

Which paper is best if readers need to write in the book?
Uncoated paper is usually the safest choice if readers need to write in the book. That said, it still depends on the situation. For example, at a signing event, if you are writing with a Sharpie, matte or glossy paper can work too, but the ink may need a few seconds to dry. If you want to be sure, you can order a sample pack and test it yourself.

Can I mix different paper types in one book?
Yes, but that becomes a more custom project. If the mixed paper setup gets too complicated, we may decide not to take the job. The most common version of this is a book that is mostly black-and-white text, such as a novel or nonfiction book, with a section of color pages in the middle. That kind of setup is usually much more realistic than mixing several paper types throughout the whole book.

Can I print on the endsheet?
Our standard endsheet is 160 gsm uncoated paper. If you want to print on the endsheet, we can do that either in full color or in a solid color. At the moment, we do not offer different paper choices for the endsheet, so the main option is whether you want the standard unprinted endsheet or a printed endsheet on the same paper.