Paper Stock Selection: The Definitive Guide for Print Buyers

Paper is the foundation of every print project. The right choice makes a book feel substantial, a brochure feel premium, and packaging feel worthy of the product inside. The wrong choice undermines even the best design. This guide covers everything a print buyer needs to know to specify paper with confidence.

How Paper Weight Is Measured

Paper weight is measured using two different systems, which causes confusion even among experienced designers:

System	Unit	How It Works	Used In
Basis Weight	Pounds (lb or #)	The weight of 500 sheets (a ream) cut to a standard basic size. Different paper categories use different basic sizes, so 80 lb text is NOT the same thickness as 80 lb cover.	North America
GSM	Grams per square meter	The weight of a single square meter of paper. Consistent across all paper types — 150 GSM always weighs the same regardless of category.	International standard

The basis weight system is the source of endless confusion. A 100 lb text paper and a 100 lb cover paper are completely different thicknesses — the cover stock is roughly twice as thick. When in doubt, specify in GSM or request a physical sample.

Paper Categories and Their Uses

Text Weight Papers (Interior Pages)

Paper Type	Weight Range	GSM Range	Characteristics	Best For
Uncoated Text	50–70 lb	75–105 GSM	Natural feel, high readability, no glare. Ink absorbs into the paper for a softer look.	Novels, memoirs, black-and-white nonfiction, literary fiction
Coated Matte Text	60–100 lb	90–150 GSM	Smooth surface, low glare, excellent image reproduction. More opaque than gloss at the same weight.	Art books, photography books, color nonfiction, magazines
Coated Gloss Text	80–100 lb	120–150 GSM	Shiny surface, maximum color saturation, crisp detail. Can produce glare under certain lighting.	Cookbooks, catalogs, high-impact photography, children's books
Cream / Natural Text	50–60 lb	75–90 GSM	Warm off-white tone, reduces eye strain. Traditional book feel with subtle texture.	Literary fiction, memoirs, poetry collections, history books

Cover Weight Papers (Book Covers)

Paper Type	Weight Range	GSM Range	Characteristics	Best For
C1S (Coated One Side)	10–14 pt	250–350 GSM	Gloss or matte coating on the outside, uncoated inside for gluing. The industry standard for paperback covers.	Paperback book covers, catalog covers
C2S (Coated Two Sides)	10–18 pt	250–400 GSM	Coated on both sides. Used when the inside cover is printed (gatefold flaps, interior artwork).	Premium paperbacks with flaps, presentation folders
Uncoated Cover	65–130 lb cover	175–350 GSM	Natural texture, accepts writing. Often recycled content available.	Workbooks, journals, stationery, eco-branded publications
Kraft Cover	14–24 pt	300–500 GSM	Brown unbleached fiber, rustic appearance. Strong and durable.	Sustainable packaging, workbooks, natural-brand products

Packaging Paper and Board

Material	Thickness	Characteristics	Best For
SBS (Solid Bleached Sulfate)	10–24 pt	White throughout, smooth surface, excellent print quality. Premium appearance.	Folding cartons, cosmetic packaging, pharmaceutical cartons
CUK (Coated Unbleached Kraft)	12–28 pt	Brown with white coating on one side. Strong, natural appearance inside.	Food packaging, beverage cartons, sustainable brands
Chipboard / Greyboard	40–80 pt	Made from recycled fiber, grey in color. Wrapped with printed paper for rigid boxes.	Rigid boxes, luxury packaging cores, book hardcover boards
Corrugated Board	B-flute, E-flute	Fluted inner layer between two liners. Lightweight but structurally strong.	Shipping boxes, mailers, e-commerce packaging

Paper Finish Options

Finish	Appearance	Texture	Notes
Gloss	Shiny, reflective	Smooth, slick	Maximizes color vibrancy. Shows fingerprints. Not ideal for heavy reading (glare).
Matte	Non-reflective, subtle	Smooth, velvety	Sophisticated look. Resists fingerprints. The standard for most trade books.
Satin / Silk	Between matte and gloss	Very smooth	More color pop than matte, less glare than gloss. Popular for magazines and catalogs.
Uncoated	Natural, soft	Textured, fibrous	Ink absorbs into the paper. Colors appear more muted. Excellent readability for long-form text.
Linen / Felt	Subtle texture pattern	Embossed	Pressed texture applied during manufacturing. Adds tactile interest to covers and stationery.
Soft Touch	Ultra-matte	Rubber-like, velvet	A coating (laminate or varnish) rather than paper finish. Distinctive tactile experience.

How to Choose Paper: A Decision Framework

Step 1: Define the Reading Experience

• Novel or long-form nonfiction? → Uncoated or cream text, 50–60 lb. Prioritize readability over image reproduction.
• Heavily illustrated or color-dependent? → Coated matte or gloss text, 80–100 lb. Images need a smooth surface.
• Workbook or journal (user will write in it)? → Uncoated text, 60–70 lb. Writing requires an absorbent surface.
• Children's book? → Coated gloss text, 80–100 lb. Vibrant color and durability matter most.

Step 2: Consider the Book's Physicality

• Short manuscript that needs to feel substantial? → Higher bulk paper (more pages per inch thickness).
• Long manuscript that needs to stay manageable? → Lower bulk, thinner paper (higher PPI). Consider bible paper for very long books.
• Book that needs to lay flat? → Heavier text paper can cause spring-back. Lighter paper or lay-flat binding may be needed.

Step 3: Match the Cover to the Market Position

• Mass market or budget title? → C1S 10 pt with gloss lamination.
• Standard trade paperback? → C1S 12 pt with matte lamination.
• Premium paperback or literary title? → C1S 14 pt with matte lamination + spot UV, or include French flaps.
• Hardcover with dust jacket? → Case wrapped in cloth or uncoated paper. Full-color jacket on coated stock.
• Hardcover with printed case? → Case wrapped in printed and laminated cover stock (no jacket needed).

Step 4: Factor in Production Practicalities

• Page count vs spine width: A 200-page book on 100 lb coated text will have a wider spine than on 50 lb uncoated. Spine width affects cover design and shelving.
• Shipping weight: Heavier paper means higher freight costs. For large print runs, the paper weight difference can add significant shipping expense.
• Binding method constraints: Perfect binding requires a minimum spine width. Very thin books on light paper may need saddle stitching instead. Coil binding requires paper that punches cleanly without tearing.
• Availability: Some specialty papers have longer lead times or minimum order quantities. Standard stocks are typically in inventory.

Common Paper Selection Mistakes

1. Specifying gloss paper for a text-heavy book. Glare makes long-form reading uncomfortable. Reserve gloss for image-heavy content.
2. Choosing paper that is too thin for the binding method. Perfect binding needs a minimum spine width. Very thin paper on a short book may not bind securely.
3. Not considering opacity. Thin paper allows text from the reverse side to show through (ghosting). Higher opacity paper costs more but eliminates this problem.
4. Specifying coated paper for a workbook. Coated surfaces resist pen and pencil. If users need to write, uncoated is essential.
5. Mixing up text weight and cover weight. 80 lb text and 80 lb cover are completely different materials. Always clarify whether you mean text or cover weight, or use GSM to avoid ambiguity.

Paper and Sustainability

For brands and publishers with sustainability commitments, paper choice is a significant factor:

• FSC-Certified Paper: Forest Stewardship Council certification ensures the paper comes from responsibly managed forests. Available for most paper types.
• Recycled Content: Post-consumer recycled paper is available in uncoated text and cover weights. The percentage of recycled content varies by stock.
• Soy-Based Inks: Compatible with most paper types. A more environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based inks that performs equally well.
• Kraft and Unbleached Stocks: These require less chemical processing than bright white papers and have a natural aesthetic that communicates sustainability.

Requesting Paper Samples

The best way to choose paper is to hold it in your hands. Contact us to request a paper sample kit. We will send you swatches of our most commonly used text and cover stocks so you can evaluate weight, texture, and opacity before committing to a print run.