Common types of paper for book printing include letterpress paper, offset paper, coated paper, matte paper, offset paper, etc. Different papers are suitable for different parts of books.
Main paper types and uses
Letterpress paper
Features: uniform texture, moderate ink absorption, strong water resistance, suitable for main text printing of important works, textbooks, academic journals, etc.
Specifications: gram weight range (49–60g/㎡), roll paper width (787/1092/1575mm), divided into 1-4 numbers according to quality (the larger the number, the worse the quality).
Applicable scenarios: main text paper such as textbooks and academic journals.
Offset paper (offset paper/dot-matrix paper)
Features: small elasticity, uniform ink absorption, strong water resistance, smooth and opaque surface.
Use: suitable for the main text of novels, poetry collections, essays, etc., and can also be used for color illustrations or simple covers.
Gram Weight: Commonly 60–180g/㎡, high-weight models can be selected for high-end books.
Coated Paper
Features: Smooth surface, high color reproduction, but easy to get damp and not suitable for long-term storage.
Applicable Scenarios: Mainly used for book covers, color page illustrations, albums and other parts with high visual requirements.
Gram Weight: 80–400g/㎡, 200–300g/㎡ is commonly used for covers.
Matte Coated Paper (Matte Coated Paper)
Features: Low reflectivity, delicate printing effect, more texture than coated paper, and higher price.
Use: High-end albums, hardcover book covers or brand promotion books.
