from Paper’s Physical Properties to Binding Pens
The paper and printing industry, are sometimes employed interchangeably, they technically represent different parameters. This article will examine the physical structure of paper, the volume/toughness relationship, and how to calculate the total weight of a finished book , starting with the weight of a single sheet of paper , item by item .
- What is Grammage? Weight Calculation of a Sheet of Paper
Weight (g/m² or GSM – Grams per Square A meter) represents the mass of a sheet of paper with an area of 1 m² . The grammage is constant regardless of the size of the paper; however, the physical weight of a sheet you hold in your hand will vary depending on its surface area.
Sheet Paper Weight Formula
one sheet of paper = Width (m) × Height (m) × Grammage (g/m²)
Example Calculation: The weight of a sheet of paper measuring 70 × 100 cm and with a grammage of 80 g/m² is :
0.70 m × 1.00 m × 80 g/m² = 56 grams
- The Physical Structure of Paper : The Relationship Between Volume, Toughness, and Thickness
Two different types of paper with the same grammage ( e.g. , 80 g/m²) can feel completely different when you hold them. One might be thin and flexible, while the other feels thicker and “solid.” This difference is explained by the specific volume ( bulk ) of the paper .
- Specific Volume ( Bulk ) : The ratio of the paper’s thickness (µm) to its grammage (g/m²).
- Toughness ( Rigidity /Stiffness): This is the strength resulting from the length of the paper fibers, the filler ratio, and the degree of compression.
Specific Volume (cm³/g) = [Thickness (mm) × 1000] / Grammage (g/m²)
Why do papers of the same weight feel different and produce different spine thicknesses?
- Coated Papers : During production, dense fillers (calcium carbonate, clay, etc.) are applied to the surface and compressed under high pressure between rollers ( calendering ). Therefore, they are non-porous, smooth, but have a low volume (0.7 – 0.9 cm³/g).
- Enzo / Book Papers ( Enzo (Bulk ): Cellulose fibers are compressed less, preserving their air pores. This results in a high volume (1.5 – 2.0 cm³/g).
This means that 80 g/m² book paper is much thicker (solid) than 80 g/m² coated paper, increasing the spine thickness of the book; however, their masses per m² are exactly the same.
- Sample Book Papers and Comparative Characteristics Table
The table below shows the physical differences between commonly used paper types at equal weights and sizes:
| Paper Type | Weight (g/m²) | Approximate Specific Volume (cm³/g) | Single Sheet Thickness (µm) | 70 × 100 cm Sheet Weight |
| Enzo / Holmen Book | 80 | 2.0 | ≈ 160 | 56 g |
| I. Dough (1st Dough) | 80 | 1,2 | ≈ 96 | 56 g |
| Glossy Coated Paper | 80 | 0.8 | ≈ 64 | 56 g |
| Matte Coated Paper | 135 | 0.85 | ≈ 115 | 94.5 g |
| American Bristol | 230 | 1.3 | ≈ 300 | 161 g |
- Calculating the Final Book Weight (Detailed Example)
(320 Pages / 10 Signatures – 13.3 x 21 cm – Hardcover/Cardboard Cover)
1. Basic Printing Parameters
| Parameter | Value / Description |
| Number of Inside Pages | 320 pages |
| Finished Book Size | 13.3 x 21 cm |
| Inner Layer Dimensions | 64 x 96 cm |
| Number of pages per sheet | 32 pages (16 front pages + 16 back pages) |
| Total Number of Inner Kits | 320 / 32 = 10 layers |
| Inner Paper Type | 80 g/m² Enzo (Volume / Enzo coefficient = 2.0) |
| Side Paper | 140 g/m² 1st grade paper (Total of 2 sets of 4 pages for front and back) |
| Bookbinding Cardboard | 2.00 mm Grey Cardboard (Approximately 1200 g/m²) |
| Cover Outer Casing | 150 g/m² Coated Paper ( Laminated ) |
2. Internal Block Weight Calculation
- 1 Sheet Area (64×96 cm):
0.64 m x 0.96 m = 0.6144 m²
- Weight of 1 Sheet (80 g/m²):
0.6144 m² x 80 g/m² = 49.152 grams
- Total Inner Block Weight (10 Layers):
10 sheets x 49.152 grams = 491.52 grams
3. Side Paper (Front and Back) Weight Calculation
The hardcover book includes two end sheets (front end sheet + back end sheet) that hold the inner block to the front and back cardboard. Each sheet measures 4 pages (unfolded size: 26.6 x 21 cm + cutting allowances).
- Paper Type: 140 g/m² 1st Grade Paper
- Front + Back Side Paper Total Unfolding Area:
2 units x (0.266 m x 0.21 m) = 0.1117 m²
- Side Papers :
0.1117 m² x 140 g/m² = 15.64 grams
4. Calculation of Inner Block Back Thickness
- Inner Block Paper Thickness (Single Sheet): 80 g/m² Enzo = 0.16 mm (160 µm)
- 1 Sheet Thickness (16 sheets/ply): 16 sheets x 0.16 mm = 2.56 mm
- 10 Jersey Inner Block Back: 10 x 2.56 mm = 6 mm
- side panels (2 layers of 140 g/m²): 2 x 0.18 mm = 36 mm
- Seam and Interfacing Allowance: ~ 00 mm
Total Net Inner Block Back Thickness = 25.6 + 0.36 + 1.00 = 26.96 mm (approximately 2.7 cm)
5. Hardcover (Cardboard and Veneer) Weight Calculation
A hard cover consists of front cardboard, back cardboard, spine cardboard , and a cover wrapping paper that wraps around them .
A. Cardboard Weight (2 mm Grey Cardboard ~ 1200 g/m²)
- Cardboard Size: Cut to the size of the finished book, extending beyond the head, feet, and front cutouts (e.g., 13.8 x 21.6 cm).
- Front and Back Cardboard Area: 2 pieces x (0.138 m x 0.216 m) = 0.0596 m²
- Cardboard Backing Area: 1 piece x (0.027 m x 0.216 m) = 0.0058 m²
- Total Cardboard Area: 0596 + 0.0058 = 0.0654 m²
- Total weight of cardboard: 0654 m² x 1200 g/m² = 78.48 grams
B. Outer Coating Paper Weight (150 g/m² Coated Paper)
The cardboard is printed with a seam allowance ( including folding allowances ) so that it can be folded around the edges.
- Covering Paper Dimensions: Approximately 34 cm x 25.5 cm = 0.0867 m²
- Coating Paper Weight: 0867 m² x 150 g/m² = 13.00 grams
C. Glue, Interlining (/Parenthesis) Tolerance
- Glue and backing fabric included: ~12.00 grams
6. SUMMARY: Hardcover Book Total Weight Table
| Component | Weight (Gram) |
| Inner Block Paper (10 Forms / 320 Pages) | 491.52 g |
| Side Papers (Front + Back / 140 g) | 15.64 g |
| Cardboard (2 mm Grey Cardboard) | 78.48 g |
| Cover Outer Coating Paper (150 g Coated Paper) | 13.00 g |
| Back Covering, Glue, and Capital Share | 12.00 g |
| FINAL TOTAL BOOK WEIGHT | ~610.64 grams |
Important Notes Regarding Spine and Cover:
- Outer Spine Thickness: After the cardboard is fitted, the total outer spine thickness of the book, measured externally, is approximately 31 mm (3.1 cm) , calculated by adding 2 mm of cardboard on each side to the inner block spine .
- Cardboard Cover (American Binding) vs. Hardcover Difference: If the same book were printed with an American binding (cardboard cover), the total weight would be approximately 507 grams , while with a hardcover (cardboard + endpapers + glue), it reaches approximately 610 grams .
- Conclusion
Paper weight (grammage) determines bulk standards, fiber structure and compression ratio ( bulk ) determine the paper’s volume and toughness. In book production planning and logistics cost calculations, not only the grammage of the inner paper but also the type of binding, the amount of glue used, and the cover configuration must be considered item by item.
Source
- ISO 536:2019. Paper and board — Determination of grammage . International Organization for Standardization . ( Standard for determining the grammage of paper and cardboard)
- ISO 3034:2011. Corrugated fibreboard — Determination of thickness . International Organization for Standardization . (Standards for thickness/density of cardboard and greyboard)
- TAPPI T 410 om-13. Grammage of paper and paperboard ( weight per unit area ). Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry .
- Kipman , C. (1998). Printing Technology and Paper Science . Istanbul: Marmara University Publications.
- Lippke, B., & Wilson, J. (2005). Paper Physical Properties and Bulk-Grammage Relationships in Publishing. Journal of Wood and Paper Science, 31(2), 87-94. (Özgül hacim / bulk ve gramaj ilişkileri)
- Kipphan , H. (2001). Handbook of Print Media: Technologies and Production Methods . Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg . (Form layouts, sheet folding mathematics and binding technologies)