Choosing paper weight: the complete guide
The right paper weight makes the difference between a good and a great book. Discover which paper best suits your book type, budget and desired look.
1. What is paper weight (g/m²)?
Paper weight is expressed in grams per square meter (g/m² or GSM). This number indicates how much a sheet of paper of 1 m² weighs. A higher number means thicker and heavier paper. Standard copy paper is 80 g/m², while book paper ranges from 70 to 170 g/m² depending on the type of book.
2. Why is paper weight important?
Paper weight affects the reading experience, the appearance of your book and shipping costs. Lighter paper makes a book thinner and cheaper to ship — important if you want to stay within letterbox post (max. 3.2 cm thick). Heavier paper feels higher quality and prevents show-through with double-sided printing.
3. Novels & literary works (70–100 g/m²)
For novels and reading books, 70–90 g/m² book paper is ideal: light cream-colored, easy on the eyes and pleasantly thin. This paper reduces light reflection, making long reading sessions more comfortable. Standard reading books often use 90–100 g/m² woodfree white paper for a slightly sturdier feel.
4. Educational books & non-fiction (80–160 g/m²)
Educational books, manuals and non-fiction require sturdier paper that can be printed double-sided without show-through. Woodfree white paper of 80–100 g/m² is ideal for text-oriented books. For manuals with images, choose 100–160 g/m² for sharper color reproduction and a professional look.
5. Image-heavy books (115+ g/m²)
Cookbooks, photo books, art books and portfolios require semi-gloss or satin paper of at least 115 g/m². This paper renders colors vividly and gives photos sharp, professional quality. For premium photo books, you can choose 150–170 g/m² for maximum image quality.
6. Thickness & budget: the right balance
Does your book have few pages? Choose a higher weight (100–120 g/m²) so the book feels substantial. Does your book have many pages? Choose lighter paper (70–90 g/m²) to keep the spine manageable and limit shipping costs. For large print runs, paper weight significantly impacts the total price — every gram counts.
Summary
Choose 70–90 g/m² book paper for novels, 80–100 g/m² woodfree white for educational books, and 115+ g/m² semi-gloss for image-heavy books. Consider page count, desired thickness and shipping weight. The right paper weight combines reading comfort, appearance and fair pricing.