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Interior paper for books

Choosing the right paper stock is one of the most important decisions when printing a book. The paper not only determines the look and feel of your publication, but also affects how photographs are reproduced, how comfortable the book is to read, and how it feels in your hands.

At New Energy Printing, we work exclusively with premium paper stocks from leading brands. This ensures consistent quality, excellent brightness, and outstanding print results.

Coated or uncoated paper?

Interior paper can generally be divided into two categories: coated paper and uncoated paper. Each has its own appearance, feel, and ideal applications.

Not sure which paper stock is the best choice for your book? We are happy to help you find the right option.

Coated paper

Coated paper has a smooth surface that keeps ink on top of the sheet. As a result, images appear sharper, colors are more vibrant, and photographs have greater contrast and detail.

This paper is an excellent choice for photo books, art books, magazines, catalogues, cookbooks and anniversary books

The most popular coated paper stocks are:

  • Matt coated paper – a non-reflective finish with excellent image quality.
  • Silk coated paper – a smooth, satin finish that combines vibrant colours with excellent readability.
  • Gloss coated paper – a high-gloss finish that delivers maximum colour intensity and sharpness.

Uncoated paper

Uncoated paper has a natural appearance and a warm, tactile feel. Because it has no coating, the ink is absorbed slightly into the paper, creating a softer, more natural look that is comfortable to read—especially in books with long passages of text.

Uncoated paper is particularly suitable for novels, textbooks, academic theses, journals, notebooks and corporate publications.

The most popular uncoated paper stocks are:

  • Woodfree offset paper (white)
  • Cream book paper (bulky paper)

For novels, cream book paper is often the preferred choice. Black text on a cream-coloured background is easier on the eyes than on bright white paper, making it more comfortable for extended reading.

Cream book paper is also available as bulky paper, which contains extra air between the fibres. This makes each page feel thicker while keeping the actual paper weight relatively low. As a result, novels feel substantial without becoming unnecessarily heavy.

Because uncoated paper has no coating, it produces very little glare, making it an excellent choice for books that are read for long periods.

White or cream-colored paper?

In addition to choosing a paper stock, you can often choose between white and cream-colored paper.

White paper creates a clean, modern appearance. Colors appear bright and photographs reproduce vividly, making it a popular choice for catalogues, textbooks, magazines, and illustrated books.

Cream-colored paper offers a warmer look and is easier on the eyes when reading large amounts of black text. For this reason, it has been the preferred choice for novels for many years.

Not sure which option is right for your book? Request our free paper samples and compare them yourself.

Paper weight

Besides the paper stock, paper weight (gsm) is another important consideration. The right paper weight affects how sturdy the pages feel, the overall thickness of the book, and its weight in your hands.

There is no single paper weight that suits every book. The ideal choice depends on factors such as the number of pages, the book size, and its intended use.

As a general guideline, we recommend:

  • Books with fewer pages: choose a heavier paper weight to give the book a fuller, more premium feel.
  • Books with many pages: choose a lighter paper weight to prevent the book from becoming unnecessarily thick or heavy.
  • Large-format books (A4 or larger): choose a heavier paper weight for extra page stiffness.

Commen paper weights:

Book type Recommended paper weight
Novals 80 of 90 grams
Textbooks 90 of 100 grams
Anual reports 100 of 120 grams
Journals 100 of 120 grams
Catalogs 135 of 150 grams
Magazines 135 of 150 grams
Cookbooks 150 of 170 grams
Photo books 170 of 200 grams
Art books 170 of 200 grams

Not sure which paper weight is best for your project? We are be happy to advise you on the ideal combination of paper stock, book size, and page count.


We use only premium paper stocks

For almost all of our book productions, we use premium paper from leading European paper manufacturers.

This guarantees:

  • consistent quality
  • excellent print performance
  • high brightness
  • long-lasting durability
  • a professional finish

Looking for a specific paper stock or manufacturer? That is no problem. On request, we can source and print on almost any paper stock. Please note that specialty papers are not always FSC certified.

FSC-certified paper

All paper stocks we use as standard are FSC certified, meaning the paper comes from responsibly managed forests.

It is important to know that using FSC-certified paper does not automatically make your book FSC certified.

If you would like to include the FSC logo in your book or receive an officially FSC-certified finished product, the paper must be registered through our FSC Chain of Custody certification process. This usually involves additional administrative costs.

If you require an FSC-certified book, please let us know before production begins. We will be happy to explain the options and any additional costs.

Request free paper samples

Choosing paper from a screen is not easy—we completely understand. That is why we are happy to send you free paper samples, allowing you to see and feel the differences between various paper stocks and finishes before making your decision.

If you would like to compare multiple paper types or finishing options, we will gladly put together a sample pack for you.

Learn more about samples and print proofs

 

We work for:

Send us the specifications of your book and we will make sure that you receive a tailor-made price quote.

Calculate the price now
New Energy Printing

T

+31 (0)347 779 407


M

info@newenergy.nl


A

Mijlweg 9-6,

4131 PJ Vianen,

The Netherlands

Opening hours

Mon – Fri:  08:30 AM – 05:00 PM
Sat – Sun Closed

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