Short answer
Most books are printed on uncoated offset paper, in white or cream, for the interior pages. Image-heavy books such as photo books, cookbooks and art books often use coated paper in gloss or matte. Covers use a separate, heavier stock. Printers differ in what they offer, so use the following as a general guide and confirm the options with your printer.
The main types of book paper
| Type | Surface | Common uses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncoated cream | Natural, slightly textured | Novels, memoirs, poetry | Warm tone; often chosen for long reading |
| Uncoated white | Natural, brighter | Textbooks, workbooks, non-fiction | Crisper contrast; good for diagrams |
| Coated matte | Smooth, low glare | Text with images, cookbooks, art books | Easier to read than gloss |
| Coated gloss | Shiny, smooth | Photo books, children’s books, yearbooks | Vivid colour, shows fingerprints |
Uncoated offset paper
Uncoated offset paper is the standard for text-heavy books. It has a natural surface that accepts ink well and can be written on, which makes it a good choice for workbooks and journals. Common weights are about 50-70 lb text (roughly 75-105 gsm); see choosing the right paper weight for a book for how to pick.
Cream vs white
Cream or natural paper has a warmer tone that many readers find comfortable for long reading, so it is a frequent choice for fiction. White paper gives stronger contrast, which suits textbooks, manuals and books with diagrams or photographs. Neither is better in an absolute sense, so choose based on your content. Printing on cream shifts how colours look, so images may appear slightly warmer.
Coated paper: gloss and matte
Coated papers have a surface layer that keeps ink on top, giving sharper detail and stronger colour. Gloss is shiny and makes images vivid, but glare can make text harder to read and fingerprints show. Matte coated paper has less glare and still reproduces images well, so it is often chosen for cookbooks and mixed text and image books.
Coated paper is usually not ideal for writing with some pens, so avoid it for journals or workbooks unless you test it first.
Cover stock
Softcover books use a much heavier stock for the cover, often measured in points (one point is a thousandth of an inch) or about 250-350 gsm, frequently with a gloss or matte laminate. Hardbacks use board covered with paper or cloth. Cover weights are not directly comparable to text pounds, so see the paper weight and GSM guide when comparing.
Matching paper to the kind of book
- Novels and memoirs: Cream or white uncoated, lighter text weight.
- Workbooks, journals, coloring books: Uncoated, so pens and pencils work; test your tools.
- Cookbooks and art books: Matte or gloss coated, medium to heavy weight.
- Photo books and yearbooks: Coated gloss or matte, heavier weight.
- Zines and booklets: Lighter weights, often saddle stitched, so thick paper is awkward to fold.
If you are binding by hand, check that the grain runs parallel to the spine. Our guide to short grain vs long grain paper shows how.
Recycled and certified options
Many printers offer papers containing recycled fibre or sourced from certified forests. Availability, colour and finish vary, so ask for samples. Recycled papers can have a slightly different shade and texture, which can suit books and journals with a natural look.
Why A4 and Letter differ
Page size standards differ by region. Most of the world uses the ISO A series, such as A4, while the United States and a few other countries use Letter. These standards developed historically and persist because printers, photocopiers, folders and supplies are built around them. If you plan to print internationally, check which formats your printer supports and whether it matters for your layout.
Quick recap
- Uncoated offset is the usual choice for text; coated paper for images.
- Cream suits long reading; white suits diagrams and photos.
- Covers use a heavier stock than interiors.
- Test with your pens or inks before committing.
- Ask printers for sample packs.