How to Save Money With Your Paper Stock

Which paper stock you choose when printing your book can have a huge impact on your print pricing. Coated or uncoated? Glossy finish, matte finish, or standard offset? What's the opacity? What's the weight? The answer to these questions will determine your paper pricing.

First-time publishers need to understand the difference between the paper they purchase at an office supply store versus what is used by a professional printing plant. While paper weights at an office supply store are measured as "bond," printing plants use a different measurement called "offset." I won't get into the details of why bond and offset weights are different for the same type of paper, but just know that if you multiply a bond weight by 2.5, you get the offset weight. For example, the 24# bond paper you purchase at Office Max is the same thickness as a 60# offset sheet used by your printer.

Typically, I would recommend that for a standard book with just black text (no color) and not a lot of images, 50# offset is just fine. If there are a lot of graphics in the book, you might want to bump up to 60# offset to eliminate some see-through from one side of the page to the other.

No matter what, be sure to ask your printer to send you paper samples. There is no substitute for feeling the paper in your hand to make sure your book has the feel you want it to have.

Now let's assume your book is not as simple as a novel or a book with just black text. Maybe your book needs to be printed in full color. If that's the case, you'll want to use a paper stock that highlights the color better than a typical offset sheet. Glossy paper will usually do the trick.

Also, if your book is full color, a thicker paper may be necessary to make your book have a nicer feel to it and justify your sale price. If printing in the U.S., I usually recommend no lighter than a 70# or 80# gloss. If printing overseas, don't go lighter than 120 gsm.

I can't say it often enough: No matter which paper stock you think you want, ask your printer for some samples first.

Paperback covers overseas are usually printed using 250 gsm or 300 gsm cover stock. In the U.S. that translates to a 10 pt. C1S or 12 pt. C1S sheet. Also be sure to add gloss lamination to give your cover that extra pop!

Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com

About the Author: Josh Prizer has been working in the publishing industry for nearly 15 years and is a book printing expert. For help with childrens book publishing, sign up for his Free 7-Part Mini-Course. 

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