I love picking out paper covers for my books. There are so many options! To help make it easier to pick some, I’ll review the best cover paper for hardcover books. These are just my opinions, you go with what you like!
Why paper?
Fabric and leather are great for covering book board (I’m a huge fabric fan), but paper is awesome because it’s easy to use, really versatile and pretty affordable.
Culture in print
Bookbinding has been around the block over the last thousand years, so lots of countries have their own unique styles or patterns. You can add some culture to your books by using designs from Italy, Japan, England…wherever!
Desired thickness
The best paper covers have a thickness of 35-75 grams/square meter (g/sm or GSM). 35-75 g/sm papers are usually light- to medium weight and flexible enough to wrap around boards, but strong enough so they won’t tear when you add paste and handling over time.
In Japan, 35-75 gsm papers are considered medium-weight. In Western countries, it’s light (or even light-medium weight).
Recommendations
I love eco-friendly papers, especially the ones made from 30% recycled materials. These are more common now than before, which is awesome.
Marbled papers are really popular, too. The marbling process gives us cool color combinations and designs. Every single one is unique!
Where to Buy
I buy most of my papers from Hollander’s. Hollander’s is one of the largest carriers of decorative papers in the United States, so there are tons of options to choose from at very good prices. Each sheet is usually around 20″ x 30.” This size will usually get me 3-4 A6 book covers. Just make sure to double check the size before buying.
Resources
Related resources that might be helpful:
- Know the Difference | Text and Writing Weight Papers – great info on text vs. writing weight papers
- New Bookbinder Guide – perfect if you’re new to bookbinding and need a platform to start
Hopefully, this will help you choose the best cover paper for your next book project. Just remember to check the g/sm (between 35-75) and you’ll do just fine!
Find me on Instagram or Facebook. I love to share pics of my new cover papers before they’re turned into books!
ALL my best,
Misty
