Paper & Finish Guide

Not sure which paper, cover or finish to pick? Use this guide, then price your book.

📖 Paper & finish guide – read before you choose

Inside pages – choose by what’s printed on them

Your bookBest inside paperWhy
Novel / text bookMunken Cream 90g or 90g BondCream is easy on the eyes for long reading, feels like a “real” book and gives a fuller spine.
Poetry / premium text90g – 120g BondThicker paper means less see-through, so it feels more premium.
Workbook / manual90g BondUncoated paper is easy to write on with a pen – no smudging.
Catalogue / magazine115g – 130gCoated (silk) paper makes photos and colours sharp and bright.
Children’s picture book130g – 170gBright colours and stronger pages for little hands.
Photo book / portfolio150g – 170gPremium feel, durable, and no see-through.

Handy rules

  • More pages = lighter paper. Stapled booklets over 40 pages lie flatter on 70g – 90g. Under 20 pages, use 100g – 130g for more body.
  • Cream paper is for text. Use white coated paper for photos and colour.
  • No card inside stapled booklets. Thick card cracks and won’t fold neatly in the middle.
  • 1 sheet = 2 pages. Stapled booklets go up in steps of 4 pages.

Cover

  • 250g – 300g is the standard paperback cover. 350g feels extra sturdy.
  • A separate cover looks more professional and lies flatter than a self cover.
  • Self cover (same paper as inside) is the budget choice for programmes, newsletters and handouts.
  • We print soft covers only (no hard covers).

Cover finish – the look and feel

FinishLook & feelBest for
GlossShiny – colours and dark pictures popChildren’s books, catalogues, fantasy, anything that must stand out
MattFlat, calm and classyNon-fiction, business reports, art books
Soft TouchVelvety “peach skin” feel, resists fingerprints and scratchesPremium novels, gifts, company profiles
NoneNatural card feel – scuffs more easilyEco or handmade-style books

Gold / silver foil and fluorescent inks – coming soon.