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 fan of both), 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 60-75 grams/square meter (g/sm or GSM). 60-75 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! Plus, you can find independent paper marblers on platforms like Instagram who offer totally unique prints from their small shops. Just search for “marbledpaper” and see what comes up.
Where to buy online
When buying from a larger retailer, I will nearly always choose 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.
I also enjoy buying new designs from either Mulberry Paper & More or Paper Jade.
Hopefully, this will help you choose the best cover paper for your next book project. Just remember to check the g/sm (between 60-75) and you’ll do just fine. Good luck!
More bookbinding goodness
✨ What tools do I need to get started bookbinding?
- Bookbinding Tools & Supplies Quick Start Guide – learn all about book making tools, which to buy first & where to go online
- Pick up my popular Complete Starter Bookbinding Tools Kit – all the bookbinding essentials in one spot
🌟 Looking for a simple way to start making books?
Try a Complete Book Materials Kit. Each one has everything you need (+ tutorials & videos) to make a beautiful book without all the fuss.
Thank you for taking me along on your book making journey!
Misty
