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Paper Books vs E-Books: Which One Is Better for Reading?

Article 24 Mar 2023 6718 0

In today's digital age, the debate over paper books vs e-books has become a hot topic among readers. While traditional paper books have been around for centuries, the rise of e-books and e-readers has disrupted the publishing industry and changed the way we read. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of paper books and e-books, their impact on the environment, and how they have impacted reading habits and preferences. We will also help readers make an informed decision about which option is better for their personal reading preferences.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Paper Books and E-Books

Paper Books:

• Advantages:
• Physical books provide a tactile and sensory experience that e-books cannot replicate.
• Many readers enjoy the smell and feel of a new or old book, the ability to turn physical pages, and the convenience of using bookmarks.
• Paper books do not require a power source or device to read, making them accessible anywhere.
• Some studies have shown that reading physical books can improve reading comprehension and retention.
• Disadvantages:
• Physical books take up space and can be heavy, making them difficult to carry around.
• They can be expensive to produce, resulting in higher prices for consumers.
• Printing and shipping physical books requires a significant amount of resources, which can impact the environment negatively.
• E-books are lightweight and portable, allowing readers to carry thousands of books in a single device.
• They are generally more affordable than physical books and are easily accessible online.
• E-books are more environmentally friendly as they do not require physical production or transportation.
• They offer features such as adjustable font size, built-in dictionaries, and the ability to highlight and take notes.
• E-books require a power source or device to read, limiting accessibility in areas without electricity or internet access.
• They can cause eye strain and disrupt sleep patterns due to the blue light emitted from devices.
• Some readers prefer the tactile experience of physical books and find e-books less satisfying.

Environmental Impact of Paper Book Production vs E-Book Production

The production of paper books requires a significant amount of resources, including trees, water, and energy. According to The New York Times, it takes an estimated 12 trees to produce one ton of paper. In addition, the production of paper books requires large amounts of water and energy, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. On the other hand, e-books have a lower carbon footprint as they do not require physical production or transportation. However, the production and disposal of e-readers and other electronic devices also have environmental consequences. Overall, the environmental impact of paper books vs e-books is complex and requires further research and analysis.

Impact of E-Books on the Publishing Industry

The rise of e-books has disrupted the publishing industry, impacting bookstores, publishers, and authors. According to Forbes, e-book sales have declined since 2015, while paperback sales have seen a steady increase. This trend may be due to the convenience and affordability of e-books, which has resulted in a shift in consumer preferences. However, physical bookstores and independent bookshops have also seen a resurgence in recent years, as some readers prefer the tactile and sensory experience of physical books.

Reading Experience and Preferences

The reading experience and preferences of readers for paper books vs e-books are subjective and vary depending on personal preferences and reading habits. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 65% of American adults had read a print book in the past year, while only 28% had read an e-book. The same survey found that readers who prefer e-books cited convenience, price, and portability as their main reasons for choosing digital reading materials. Meanwhile, those who prefer paper books cited the tactile experience, the ability to physically display books, and the lack of eye strain or fatigue as their primary reasons for sticking with printed materials.

Another factor that can impact a reader's preference is the type of content they are consuming. For example, readers may prefer e-books for genres such as romance, mystery, and thriller, where they may consume a higher volume of books in a shorter period. On the other hand, readers may prefer physical books for genres such as poetry, art, or photography books, where the visual and tactile experience is a significant part of the reading experience.

Accessibility is another key consideration for many readers. E-books are more accessible for people with visual impairments or reading difficulties, as they offer customizable font sizes and text-to-speech options. E-books also offer the convenience of being able to purchase and download books instantly, without having to leave one's home or visit a physical bookstore. However, physical books have the advantage of being able to be borrowed from libraries or shared among friends, which may be more difficult with digital books due to copyright restrictions and digital rights management (DRM) technology.

Cost is another significant factor for many readers. E-books are generally cheaper than physical books, with some e-books being available for free. However, readers should keep in mind that the cost of an e-reader or tablet must be factored in as well. Physical books may be more expensive, but they can also be resold or passed on to others, which can offset their initial cost.

While the convenience and accessibility of e-books are undeniable, they have also disrupted the publishing industry in significant ways. E-books have enabled self-publishing, which has given many authors the ability to publish their work without the backing of a traditional publishing house. This has led to a proliferation of new and diverse voices in the literary world, but it has also created a crowded and competitive marketplace where it can be difficult for authors to get noticed.

Final Thought

In conclusion, both paper books and e-books have their advantages and disadvantages. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preferences, reading habits, and the type of content being consumed. Paper books offer a tactile and visual experience that many readers prefer, while e-books offer convenience, affordability, and accessibility. The impact of e-books on the publishing industry and reading habits is significant and ongoing, and it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve in the coming years.

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What Is A Paperback Book? Types And Reasons Why It Is Used

For decades, most books released often come out first in hardcover versions months or years before the paperback versions are released. Most authors will do this to increase the awareness of the books and even increase their profit margins.

Hardcover books may be good for shows and advertising to potential readers but paperback books are smaller and lightweight, making them convenient for people on the go.

What is a Paperback book?

A paperback which is also known as the softcover is a type of book that comes with a paperboard cover that is held together with an adhesive rather than stitches or staples used in binding hardcover books. 

In contrast to paperback books, hardcover books are covered or bound with cardboards that are covered with plastic or leather materials. Hardcover books normally come with more designs than paperback books and they are heavier too. 

Paperback books have become more popular since the beginning of the 19h century where they come in the forms of yellow-backs, pamphlets, and dime novels. New paperbacks are more durable and also come in different formats from different countries. 

Table of Contents

When Are Paperback Books Issued?

Paperback books are issued basically when an author decides to issue a low-cost version of the hardcover book. Paperback can thus be described as the lower quality book version. The absence of hardcover makes paperbacks much cheaper.

Paperback is also a consideration when the author doesn’t have the resources to invest hugely in their books. A paperback is also considering the ideal medium of a book when the author doesn’t expect the book to be a major seller. Reprints of older books, new book versions, and new novels often come in paperbacks for several reasons.

Since paperbacks do come with lesser profit margins, many book publishers balance profit projection by selling fewer hardcover books and more paperbacks. Many publishers thus use paperbacks to extend profits from hardcovers through the issuing of paperbacks. Most first editions of genre books are now published in paperbacks

What Are The Types Of Paperbacks You Can Opt For?

There are three different types of paperback books, these are;

• Mass Market.
• B-format and

1. The mass market paperback

This is a very small paperback type that is non-illustrated. The UK A-format that measures 4 3/8 x 7 inches in width and height is an example of a mass-market paperback. They are also known to be printed with low-quality paper.

These paperbacks are commonly published after the hardcopy editions and are commonly sold in non-traditional book stores like airports, supermarkets, and drug stores. You may also find them in traditional bookstores.

Romance novels often accounted for more than half of paperback versions in the 1980s and they are still popular to date. When booksellers notice some books are not selling, they may return them to publishers for a refund or credit for their future orders. Mass-market type of paperback books is mostly common among first book authors .

Many airport staffs often give passengers at the airport such paperback books to read while waiting to board aircraft. Aside from romance genres, magazine cartoon series and comics are also popular mass-market paperbacks you can find in public places.

2. The B-format paperbacks

This is a term used in describing medium-sized paperback books that measure 5 1/8 and 8 inches in width and height respectively. This size has been synonymous with literary novels, especially from the fiction genre. You may also find these paperback types in smaller formats. The B-format normally comes with paper qualities that are better than those used for mass-market paperbacks.

3. Trade Paperback Book

Trade paper book is also referred to as “Trade paper edition”. His option comes with the highest quality paper of all three types. It is a softcover option of a previously-released hardcover book and the text contents and pages in it often tally with what you find in the hardcover edition is published by the same publisher.

While the pages in the trade paperback are the same as the hardcover version, the softcover seems to be the only difference. Acid-free paper is one of the good quality paper types used in creating trade softcover book.

In some countries, the Trade paperback encompasses softcover books also described as B-format options but they come in larger sizes such as 5 3/8 x 8 ½ inches in width and height respectively.

Trade comics are good examples of Trade paperback books. The paperbacks are used in the reprint of many trade comic series in a single volume. The paperback can be used in printing a storyline or the entire series.

Trade paperback has become very synonymous with collections of mass re-printed materials. They are for instance used in the creation and mass production of graphic comic books. Just like in other types of books, publishers often release a hardcopy version of books before releasing trade paperback versions.

The watchmen from DC comics and the Secret war series from Marvel comics are just two of the common Trade paperback books around today.

Paperback vs Hardcover Backs- Which One Should You Go For?

The hardcover was originally designed to do nothing more than protecting the pages within, The advance in printing technology and economic reasons brought about the development of paperback which was released in the year 1935.

The paperback has proven to be an immediate success and authors are now being offered two options for printing; the classic hard book cover and cheaper yet cheerful soft paperback. The following factors will help you determine which option to go for;

Hardcovers are generally more expensive. The cost of making a hardcover can be 5 times the cost of making a soft paperback. Authors who can afford the highly-anticipated hardcover option often anticipate higher sales and hen release paperback options months after the release of hardcovers.

Paperbacks are not only cheaper; they are more cheerful makes it easier for people to read because of is lightweight. The problem with paperbacks is that they can easily wear out and become easily damaged with repeated use. Many users of paperbacks often buy another copy if they enjoy the content of the book.

The Functionality

Functionality means different things to different readers. Since paperback is light and compact, it means the book type can be easily transported. The paperback is also easily bent and stuffed inside a traveler’s bag hence it is more functional than the hardcover.

A Hardcover on the other side is very strong and provides a more aesthetically appealing outlook. Hardcover is far more long-lasting and durable than the paperback, and hardcover can hold its value more than the paperback.

The Appeal 

You should also consider your audience when choosing between paperback and hardcover. Some premium readers will only go for hardcover books, though everyone may find the affordability of paperbacks more helpful.

Think of how your users will use your book. The appeal of your book will also depend on your expectations of your readers. A paperback may look too cheap for some premium readers; hence you should consider your competitors and how they appeal to your readers.

Many book readers will admit that the appeal of hardcover books that paperbacks cannot match. If you want a book that people will want and appreciate, plus a price that they can sacrifice to pay, then a hardcover option may be your ideal.

Availability

Unfortunately, hardcover books are becoming less and less available because they are very expensive and more difficult to make. Few publishers are still dealing with publishing companies for hardcover books but the most important thing for authors is to make their books available. Paperback books are more available than hardcover books because of their cheaper production costs and availability in many places. You may want to go for a paperback if you want your book to be more readily available.

When it comes to storage, the hardcover book takes an upper hand because it is designed to store better and last longer. The paperback option will begin to wrinkle and flake after some period of repeated usage, whereas hardcover books are made from solid long-lasting materials.

For longevity reasons, you should invest in the hardcover back that can last for decades. This will be a great bargain even for your readers.

When it comes to simplicity, exposure, and cost-competitiveness, both paperback and hardcover books cannot be compared to e-publishing. E-publishing is far better than other options for publishing books because you will minimize the risks efficiently while maximizing your profit.

E-publishing has grown to a point where you can publish your books online and also convert them to a paperback option that can be printed at no extra cost.

The e-publishing platform does everything for you, all you need is to create a cover with the publishing platform’s cover design and publish your book. With e-publishing, you will generate a commission for life. From the factors explained above, you should be able to find your perfect choice between hardcover and paperback good.

About the Author

CJ grew up admiring books. His family owned a small bookstore throughout his early childhood, and he would spend weekends flipping through book after book, always sure to read the ones that looked the most interesting. Not much has changed since then, except now some of those interesting books he picks off the shelf were designed by his company!

• 1.1.1 Related terms
• 1.2 Further reading

English [ edit ]

Noun [ edit ].

paper book ( plural paper books )

• Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see paper ,‎ book .
• ( law , England ) , A document prepared in English legal practice containing a record or summary of the pleadings.
• 2002 , Richard Curtis et al. , How to get your e-book published: an insider's guide to the world of ... : "Instead of cases of books moldering away in warehouses, your inventory consists of a single digital file, which any "bookmaking" machine can use to crank out a paper book ."
• 2003 , Susan L.Gibbons et al. , E-book Functionality: What Libraries and Their Patrons Want and ... : "The evidence strongly indicates that libraries and end users expect e-books to have the same functionalities of the paper book , and yet do much more."
• 2013 , Joost Kircz et al. , The Unbound Book : "The link with the Internet disrupts the concentration that the paper book facilitates."
• 1919 , The Bookseller, Newsdealer and Stationer , volume 51 , page 11 : Publishers of the paper books are uncertain whether their old reading public has tired of the motion picture or whether a new class of readers has arisen.
• 1959 , The Catholic Library World , volumes 29-30 , page 464 : Even more important to those promoting paper books was the stark fact that there were not enough book stores to produce an adequate volume of sales to sustain quarter books.
• 1959 , Stores , volume 41 , page 34 : The ad—the first the department ran in more than three years—was inserted after the department had enlarged its space, using the additional area for paper books .

Related terms [ edit ]

Further reading [ edit ].

• “ paper book ”, in OneLook Dictionary Search .

• English lemmas
• English nouns
• English countable nouns
• English multiword terms
• English English
• English terms with quotations
• English dated terms
• English retronyms
• English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys
• English entries with language name categories using raw markup
• Quotation templates to be cleaned

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Home » Writing » What is a paperback book?

Paperback book sizes

How do these little gems stack up size-wise? The original railway paperbacks measured in at a compact 4 3/8 in. x 7 in. (the same as those mass-market romance and mystery novels we see all over airports, drugstores, and supermarkets today). In the US, books known as trade paperbacks come in two standard trim sizes: small (5 1/8 in. x 7 3/4 in.) and medium (5 3/8 in. x 8 1/2 in.).

Paperback books versus hardcover books

Unlike hardcover books, which are larger, more expensive, and bound by stitches or staples with a cloth or leather cover, paperback books are characterized by generally lesser quality paper, glue binding, and a flexible cover made from thick paper or paperboard. Trade paperbacks are often printed on acid-free paper, whereas small, mass-market copies are printed on the lowest-quality paper, which allows printers and publishers to keep the price so affordable. When it comes to new books, publishers release most fiction and nonfiction books in hardcover first, followed by a paperback version the following year.

In the world of book aficionados, hardcover books tend to be highly regarded, based on the attention given to material design, paper quality, and page design. However, the paperback also provides its own lo-fi, approachable, and highly flexible aesthetic. Paperback books are clear winners in terms of price and portability, even if they lose points for durability. And perhaps most importantly, the paperback is the ultimate shareable tool, easily passed from one reader to the next, taking on the weathered patina personality many of us come to enjoy.

Do you have a creative project you plan to self-publish as a trade book ? This format not only gives you beautiful and economical printing options, but it also offers the most possibilities for worldwide distribution. Download BookWright and start designing your trade nook today. Or learn more about the types of book covers available.

Trade Books

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Todo eReaders

10 benefits of reading paper books.

Villamandos

The books in physical format, that is, on paper , are still the favorite for most readers of the world. Without leaving our country in Spain, the number of users who enjoy eBooks does not reach 15% and there are only a few people who claim to read books only in digital format.

As I usually say, the important thing at the end of the day is reading, and it does not matter in the format that is done. In addition, and depending on the prism with which you look at books on paper and in digital format, it has some benefits. Today we are going to discover you 10 benefits that paper books offer us , and some of which you have almost certainly never stopped to think about.

• If you buy a book, this is yours forever . Unlike what happens with eBooks, where you buy a reading license, when we go to a bookstore and pay for a book, it becomes our property forever, being able to do practically whatever we want with it. Of course, please, nobody buy a book because it fits in the living room and highlights your furniture. Books are for reading, not for decoration
• They are easy to use. A book is possibly one of the easiest fun to use. Open and enjoy.
• It Does not Break . I know what a fight against eBooks and eReaders looks like, but although it may seem like it is not. That paper books do not break, generally, when they fall to the ground is a benefit and not a difference with digital books.
• They can be touched and felt. It may seem silly, but sometimes being able to turn a page and feel the paper can be enormously satisfying.
• They have their own smell . How many times have you smelled a book or while you were reading it did you notice the smell it gave off?
• They facilitate reading comprehension. To this day, it is scientifically proven that reading books in paper format allow the reader to better understand what is read and also have a clearer memory over time.
• Can be lent . Without fear of anything and without any complications, you can easily lend it to anyone. Of course, watch out for it to be returned to you, many people ask for it but never remember to return it.
• Your home is our favorite place. All paper books have a house, some live in a bookstore, others in a library and others in our house. Those places are for many places to spend the morning browsing through books and going from one shelf to another, losing track of time.
• A book will never run out of battery. You already know where I'm going, right?
• It is the perfect gift . Everyone usually likes to be given a book and its price is not too high. In addition, and so that you do not fail, the catalog that exists in the market is practically infinite.

Can you think of any more benefits of books in paper format? .

Full path to article: Todo eReaders » General » Books » 10 benefits of reading paper books

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I would like more information about reason No. 6: «They facilitate reading comprehension. Today it is scientifically proven that reading books on paper allows the reader to better understand what is read and also have a clearer memory over time. " It is not that I question it but that I need the why, the how, to improve understanding. If anyone can help me I appreciate it. My e-mail goes: [email protected] Thank you

On this same website you have the information you are looking for 😉

A greeting!

1- I think we all own electronic books… I won't say more. 2- True ... but come on, it is not that an ereader is very complicated. 3- True ... but with use they wear out a lot. An ereader (the device for reading ebooks can break down but you change it and the ebook (the digital book itself, not to be confused with an ereader) is always in perfect condition. 4- Well ... I'm not saying anything. 5- It is true although it is also true that they smell when they are new. Then they lose smell. 6- I don't know which study has said it but I don't believe it. 7- True, but as I said in point 1, it is not easy to pass a digital file once the DRM is removed. 8- I have a room at home with a bookcase-bookcase full of books and it is very cool but I wonder where I would have put all the physical books that I would have had to buy if I did not have an ereader. 9- This is true. It must also be said that an ereader is not a mobile or a tablet. An ereader has a very long battery life and charges fast. Anyway, I hope that in the near future ereaders will come out with built-in solar chargers and the battery problem will end forever. 10- Truth. Nothing to oppose.

Now: built-in dictionaries, several books on top with minimal weight, built-in light option, option to adjust the letter to your personal tastes, to be able to hold it with one hand, etc ... there is no color: the ereader is much more comfortable.

Error: where I said "it is not easy" in point 7 I wanted to say "it is not difficult"

1 It is true, and the reason why the VAT is different in one and the other, this is the fault of the publishers that are lists. 2 I do not see the advantage with the electronic book, the electronic one is just as simple, except maybe in shitting the books if they are pirates that you have to know how to use a pc a bit, but if they are bought in kindle it cannot be easier, you connect reader to the internet, you click on the buy button, the book appears on your reader and that's sitting on your sofa. In the electronic it is no longer just easy to read, you turn on and read, it is easy to buy. The problem is that you will get fat because you will not leave home even to buy the book. 3 This is not entirely true, you only look at falls from height. But if you wet it, a paper book breaks, a kobo or a waterproof pocket won't. But yes, if you drop the electronic from a height you have a high probability that it will die. It is also not advisable to leave them in the car in Summer on the seat, the electronic ink screen tends to explode. In my case after several years it has never happened to me, but if you are not careful they will break you. 45 This is for fetishists, personally I don't care and I have not missed it in recent years, neither touch nor smell, and I no longer buy anything on paper. But hey, if it's because of the smell, I recommend hanging a few books as if they were garlic in the area where you read, so you can read digitally and keep smelling. Or buy a bottle of ink and leave it open near where you read. For touch, you tear off a sheet of paper and stick it on the back of the book and stroke the pasted sheet while you read comfortably in your digital book. 6 This reason is the most ridiculous, the reading compression in digital VS paper is the most absurd and pathetic thing that has ever been written, obviously they are studies paid for by publishers that want to continue with the bargain of paper. 100 years from now they will break their asses laughing at these ideas. 7 In electronic also although skipping the legislation, but yes, indeed we are in point 1, in fact point 1 happens precisely because of point 7. 8 If browsing is fine, but in digital it can also only be done in digital libraries. A danger, because you are comfortably at home, and if you are a fast finger you buy a lot of books. 9 If you are on a lost island or there is a zombie invasion and the electrical systems go down, it is indeed a problem. You will also run out of mobile and reading is probably the last of your worries, are you being chased by zombies, or you are starving on the island. 10 Indeed, this point is one of the important ones, although they can be given digitally by giving checks, for example the digital book makes you lose the power to give a gift. But overall, so that they give you Belen Esteban's book, it is almost better for each one to buy their books and give away ties or colonies.

For my part, the paper book can disappear, I think it is unnecessary to continue printing on paper, the electronic one is a great substitute that has great advantages, being able to modify sizes, fonts, not having to load like a mule with books when you You go around, you can read in the bathtub and you can get the book wet, or be in the pool and have water pouring without problems if it is submersible. And it does not require a print run of a paper book that is not sold later, for example. The problem is that you load a lot of jobs: printers, bookstores. But it is the law of life, there are certain products that allow you to give business and work for a while, but a day comes when the business changes. The one with the paper book has passed, and I think it will disappear. It is true that for people of a certain age who are not used to computers and electronic purchases over the Internet, they will continue to use paper because it is difficult for them to enter the digital book, not in digital life in general. And then we have the youngest who in general do not read, period, neither on paper nor on digital, they watch videos on YouTube, they make a bottle, they watch football and they are not interested in much else. It is a generalization, obviously, there are kids who read, but roughly less and less in favor of YouTube, video consoles, etc. At least I from the girlie that surrounds me, family, friends, etc. There are more who do not read than those who read.

I recommend watching video of Hernán Casciari, in some editorial sessions where he gives a lesson to publishers. It does not matter if the book is on paper or digital, the important thing is that people read less and less. But publishers are still determined to promote paper and continue to make huge profits by charging us unjustifiable prices on paper. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muOeHR6N8Us And the whole roll of this article is about that, of wanting to continue with paper, the reason is that the publisher in addition to publishing books usually also has its own printing press, and wins by editing and printing. Also with very high prices that before the electronic book justified by the cost on paper. When the e-book comes up before Amazon, it turns out that the problem was not printing, but translation, and that there are few speakers in Spanish, I get rid of the latter, after Chinese, Spanish is the most widely spoken language, go to Amsterdam, In their language there are few and the news on paper is worth much less than in Spain. Total that even Amazon, the bad, the satanic, digital books were worth 2 euros less than on paper. What has encouraged piracy to incredible lengths, but is the pure and direct fault of the publishers. It seems a lie that seeing what happened with the music they had so little vision and initiative. Amazon comes in and puts much lower prices, and here's the problem. That if you pocket some money with the paper book, with digital you lose business 2 printing (printing), and you cannot sell business 1 (edition) so expensively. And this friend is the reason why paper continues to be promoted, absurd studies are made of the compression of reading on paper and that you do not find out in digital, and similar nonsense. That with digital the margins are much tighter, and the publishers wanted to continue to have millionaire profits.

November 1, 2013

12 min read

The Reading Brain in the Digital Age: Why Paper Still Beats Screens

E-readers and tablets are becoming more popular as such technologies improve, but reading on paper still has its advantages

By Ferris Jabr

One of the most provocative viral YouTube videos in the past two years begins mundanely enough: a one-year-old girl plays with an iPad, sweeping her fingers across its touch screen and shuffling groups of icons. In following scenes, she appears to pinch, swipe and prod the pages of paper magazines as though they, too, are screens. Melodramatically, the video replays these gestures in close-up.

For the girl's father, the video— A Magazine Is an iPad That Does Not Work —is evidence of a generational transition. In an accompanying description, he writes, “Magazines are now useless and impossible to understand, for digital natives”—that is, for people who have been interacting with digital technologies from a very early age, surrounded not only by paper books and magazines but also by smartphones, Kindles and iPads.

Whether or not his daughter truly expected the magazines to behave like an iPad, the video brings into focus a question that is relevant to far more than the youngest among us: How exactly does the technology we use to read change the way we read?

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Since at least the 1980s researchers in psychology, computer engineering, and library and information science have published more than 100 studies exploring differences in how people read on paper and on screens. Before 1992 most experiments concluded that people read stories and articles on screens more slowly and remember less about them. As the resolution of screens on all kinds of devices sharpened, however, a more mixed set of findings began to emerge. Recent surveys suggest that although most people still prefer paper—especially when they need to concentrate for a long time—attitudes are changing as tablets and e-reading technology improve and as reading digital texts for facts and fun becomes more common. In the U.S., e-books currently make up more than 20 percent of all books sold to the general public.

Despite all the increasingly user-friendly and popular technology, most studies published since the early 1990s confirm earlier conclusions: paper still has advantages over screens as a reading medium. Together laboratory experiments, polls and consumer reports indicate that digital devices prevent people from efficiently navigating long texts, which may subtly inhibit reading comprehension. Compared with paper, screens may also drain more of our mental resources while we are reading and make it a little harder to remember what we read when we are done. Whether they realize it or not, people often approach computers and tablets with a state of mind less conducive to learning than the one they bring to paper. And e-readers fail to re-create certain tactile experiences of reading on paper, the absence of which some find unsettling.

“There is physicality in reading,” says cognitive scientist Maryanne Wolf of Tufts University, “maybe even more than we want to think about as we lurch into digital reading—as we move forward perhaps with too little reflection. I would like to preserve the absolute best of older forms but know when to use the new.”

Textual Landscapes Understanding how reading on paper differs from reading on screens requires some explanation of how the human brain interprets written language. Although letters and words are symbols representing sounds and ideas, the brain also regards them as physical objects. As Wolf explains in her 2007 book Proust and the Squid , we are not born with brain circuits dedicated to reading, because we did not invent writing until relatively recently in our evolutionary history, around the fourth millennium b.c. So in childhood, the brain improvises a brand-new circuit for reading by weaving together various ribbons of neural tissue devoted to other abilities, such as speaking, motor coordination and vision.

Some of these repurposed brain regions specialize in object recognition: they help us instantly distinguish an apple from an orange, for example, based on their distinct features, yet classify both as fruit. Similarly, when we learn to read and write, we begin to recognize letters by their particular arrangements of lines, curves and hollow spaces—a tactile learning process that requires both our eyes and hands. In recent research by Karin James of Indiana University Bloomington, the reading circuits of five-year-old children crackled with activity when they practiced writing letters by hand but not when they typed letters on a keyboard. And when people read cursive writing or intricate characters such as Japanese kanji , the brain literally goes through the motions of writing, even if the hands are empty.

Beyond treating individual letters as physical objects, the human brain may also perceive a text in its entirety as a kind of physical landscape. When we read, we construct a mental representation of the text. The exact nature of such representations remains unclear, but some researchers think they are similar to the mental maps we create of terrain—such as mountains and trails—and of indoor physical spaces, such as apartments and offices. Both anecdotally and in published studies, people report that when trying to locate a particular passage in a book, they often remember where in the text it appeared. Much as we might recall that we passed the red farmhouse near the start of a hiking trail before we started climbing uphill through the forest, we remember that we read about Mr. Darcy rebuffing Elizabeth Bennett at a dance on the bottom left corner of the left-hand page in one of the earlier chapters of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice .

In most cases, paper books have more obvious topography than on-screen text. An open paper book presents a reader with two clearly defined domains—the left- and right-hand pages—and a total of eight corners with which to orient oneself. You can focus on a single page of a paper book without losing awareness of the whole text. You can even feel the thickness of the pages you have read in one hand and the pages you have yet to read in the other. Turning the pages of a paper book is like leaving one footprint after another on a trail—there is a rhythm to it and a visible record of how far one has traveled. All these features not only make the text in a paper book easily navigable, they also make it easier to form a coherent mental map of that text.

In contrast, most digital devices interfere with intuitive navigation of a text and inhibit people from mapping the journey in their mind. A reader of digital text might scroll through a seamless stream of words, tap forward one page at a time or use the search function to immediately locate a particular phrase—but it is difficult to see any one passage in the context of the entire text. As an analogy, imagine if Google Maps allowed people to navigate street by individual street, as well as to teleport to any specific address, but prevented them from zooming out to see a neighborhood, state or country. Likewise, glancing at a progress bar gives a far more vague sense of place than feeling the weight of read and unread pages. And although e-readers and tablets replicate pagination, the displayed pages are ephemeral. Once read, those pages vanish. Instead of hiking the trail yourself, you watch the trees, rocks and moss pass by in flashes, with no tangible trace of what came before and no easy way to see what lies ahead.

“The implicit feel of where you are in a physical book turns out to be more important than we realized,” says Abigail J. Sellen of Microsoft Research Cambridge in England, who co-authored the 2001 book The Myth of the Paperless Office . “Only when you get an e-book do you start to miss it. I don't think e-book manufacturers have thought enough about how you might visualize where you are in a book.”

Exhaustive Reading At least a few studies suggest that screens sometimes impair comprehension precisely because they distort people's sense of place in a text. In a January 2013 study by Anne Mangen of the University of Stavanger in Norway and her colleagues, 72 10th grade students studied one narrative and one expository text. Half the students read on paper, and half read PDF files on computers. Afterward, students completed reading comprehension tests, during which they had access to the texts. Students who read the texts on computers performed a little worse, most likely because they had to scroll or click through the PDFs one section at a time, whereas students reading on paper held the entire texts in their hands and quickly switched between different pages. “The ease with which you can find out the beginning, end, and everything in between and the constant connection to your path, your progress in the text, might be some way of making it less taxing cognitively,” Mangen says. “You have more free capacity for comprehension.”

Other researchers agree that screen-based reading can dull comprehension because it is more mentally taxing and even physically tiring than reading on paper. E-ink reflects ambient light just like the ink on a paper book, but computer screens, smartphones and tablets shine light directly on people's faces. Today's LCDs are certainly gentler on eyes than their predecessor, cathode-ray tube (CRT) screens, but prolonged reading on glossy, self-illuminated screens can cause eyestrain, headaches and blurred vision. In an experiment by Erik Wästlund, then at Karlstad University in Sweden, people who took a reading comprehension test on a computer scored lower and reported higher levels of stress and tiredness than people who completed it on paper.

In a related set of Wästlund's experiments, 82 volunteers completed the same reading comprehension test on computers, either as a paginated document or as a continuous piece of text. Afterward, researchers assessed the students' attention and working memory—a collection of mental talents allowing people to temporarily store and manipulate information in their mind. Volunteers had to quickly close a series of pop-up windows, for example, or remember digits that flashed on a screen. Like many cognitive abilities, working memory is a finite resource that diminishes with exertion.

Although people in both groups performed equally well, those who had to scroll through the unbroken text did worse on the attention and working memory tests. Wästlund thinks that scrolling—which requires readers to consciously focus on both the text and how they are moving it—drains more mental resources than turning or clicking a page, which are simpler and more automatic gestures. The more attention is diverted to moving through a text, the less is available for understanding it. A 2004 study conducted at the University of Central Florida reached similar conclusions.

An emerging collection of studies emphasizes that in addition to screens possibly leeching more attention than paper, people do not always bring as much mental effort to screens in the first place. Based on a detailed 2005 survey of 113 people in northern California, Ziming Liu of San Jose State University concluded that those reading on screens take a lot of shortcuts—they spend more time browsing, scanning and hunting for keywords compared with people reading on paper and are more likely to read a document once and only once.

When reading on screens, individuals seem less inclined to engage in what psychologists call metacognitive learning regulation—setting specific goals, rereading difficult sections and checking how much one has understood along the way. In a 2011 experiment at the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, college students took multiple-choice exams about expository texts either on computers or on paper. Researchers limited half the volunteers to a meager seven minutes of study time; the other half could review the text for as long as they liked. When under pressure to read quickly, students using computers and paper performed equally well. When managing their own study time, however, volunteers using paper scored about 10 percentage points higher. Presumably, students using paper approached the exam with a more studious attitude than their screen-reading peers and more effectively directed their attention and working memory.

Even when studies find few differences in reading comprehension between screens and paper, screen readers may not remember a text as thoroughly in the long run. In a 2003 study Kate Garland, then at the University of Leicester in England, and her team asked 50 British college students to read documents from an introductory economics course either on a computer monitor or in a spiral-bound booklet. After 20 minutes of reading, Garland and her colleagues quizzed the students. Participants scored equally well regardless of the medium but differed in how they remembered the information.

Psychologists distinguish between remembering something—a relatively weak form of memory in which someone recalls a piece of information, along with contextual details, such as where and when one learned it—and knowing something: a stronger form of memory defined as certainty that something is true. While taking the quiz, Garland's volunteers marked both their answer and whether they “remembered” or “knew” the answer. Students who had read study material on a screen relied much more on remembering than on knowing, whereas students who read on paper depended equally on the two forms of memory. Garland and her colleagues think that students who read on paper learned the study material more thoroughly more quickly; they did not have to spend a lot of time searching their mind for information from the text—they often just knew the answers.

Perhaps any discrepancies in reading comprehension between paper and screens will shrink as people's attitudes continue to change. Maybe the star of A Magazine Is an iPad That Does Not Work will grow up without the subtle bias against screens that seems to lurk among older generations. The latest research suggests, however, that substituting screens for paper at an early age has disadvantages that we should not write off so easily. A 2012 study at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center in New York City recruited 32 pairs of parents and three- to six-year-old children. Kids remembered more details from stories they read on paper than ones they read in e-books enhanced with interactive animations, videos and games. These bells and whistles deflected attention away from the narrative toward the device itself. In a follow-up survey of 1,226 parents, the majority reported that they and their children prefer print books over e-books when reading together.

Nearly identical results followed two studies, described this past September in Mind, Brain, and Education , by Julia Parrish-Morris, now at the University of Pennsylvania, and her colleagues. When reading paper books to their three- and five-year-old children, parents helpfully related the story to their child's life. But when reading a then popular electric console book with sound effects, parents frequently had to interrupt their usual “dialogic reading” to stop the child from fiddling with buttons and losing track of the narrative. Such distractions ultimately prevented the three-year-olds from understanding even the gist of the stories, but all the children followed the stories in paper books just fine.

Such preliminary research on early readers underscores a quality of paper that may be its greatest strength as a reading medium: its modesty. Admittedly, digital texts offer clear advantages in many different situations. When one is researching under deadline, the convenience of quickly accessing hundreds of keyword-searchable online documents vastly outweighs the benefits in comprehension and retention that come with dutifully locating and rifling through paper books one at a time in a library. And for people with poor vision, adjustable font size and the sharp contrast of an LCD screen are godsends. Yet paper, unlike screens, rarely calls attention to itself or shifts focus away from the text. Because of its simplicity, paper is “a still point, an anchor for the consciousness,” as William Powers writes in his 2006 essay “Hamlet's Blackberry: Why Paper Is Eternal.” People consistently report that when they really want to focus on a text, they read it on paper. In a 2011 survey of graduate students at National Taiwan University, the majority reported browsing a few paragraphs of an item online before printing out the whole text for more in-depth reading. And in a 2003 survey at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, nearly 80 percent of 687 students preferred to read text on paper rather than on a screen to “understand it with clarity.”

Beyond pragmatic considerations, the way we feel about a paper book or an e-reader—and the way it feels in our hands—also determines whether we buy a best-selling book in hardcover at a local bookstore or download it from Amazon. Surveys and consumer reports suggest that the sensory aspects of reading on paper matter to people more than one might assume: the feel of paper and ink; the option to smooth or fold a page with one's fingers; the distinctive sound a page makes when turned. So far digital texts have not satisfyingly replicated such sensations. Paper books also have an immediately discernible size, shape and weight. We might refer to a hardcover edition of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace as a “hefty tome” or to a paperback of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness as a “slim volume.” In contrast, although a digital text has a length that may be represented with a scroll or progress bar, it has no obvious shape or thickness. An e-reader always weighs the same, regardless of whether you are reading Marcel Proust's magnum opus or one of Ernest Hemingway's short stories. Some researchers have found that these discrepancies create enough so-called haptic dissonance to dissuade some people from using e-readers.

To amend this sensory incongruity, many designers have worked hard to make the e-reader or tablet experience as close to reading on paper as possible. E-ink resembles typical chemical ink, and the simple layout of the Kindle's screen looks remarkably like a page in a paper book. Likewise, Apple's iBooks app attempts to simulate somewhat realistic page turning. So far such gestures have been more aesthetic than pragmatic. E-books still prevent people from quickly scanning ahead on a whim or easily flipping to a previous chapter when a sentence surfaces a memory of something they read earlier.

Some digital innovators are not confining themselves to imitations of paper books. Instead they are evolving screen-based reading into something else entirely. Scrolling may not be the ideal way to navigate a text as long and dense as Herman Melville's Moby Dick , but the New York Times , the Washington Post , ESPN and other media outlets have created beautiful, highly visual articles that could not appear in print because they blend text with movies and embedded sound clips and depend entirely on scrolling to create a cinematic experience. Robin Sloan has pioneered the tap essay, which relies on physical interaction to set the pace and tone, unveiling new words, sentences and images only when someone taps a phone or a tablet's touch screen. And some writers are pairing up with computer programmers to produce ever more sophisticated interactive fiction and nonfiction in which one's choices determine what one reads, hears and sees next.

When it comes to intensively reading long pieces of unembellished text, paper and ink may still have the advantage. But plain text is not the only way to read.

Ferris Jabr is a contributing writer for Scientific American . He has also written for the New York Times Magazine , the New Yorker and Outside .

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8 Reasons Readers Prefer Paper Books to Digital Books

Ann O'Brien

August 18, 2022

Walk into any thrift store, and you’ll see that sales of used hardbacks and paperbacks are brisk. Similarly, online booksellers like Abe’s Books do a steady trade in antique books and used mass-market paperbacks. It turns out that people still prefer paper books to digital ones by a wide margin.

American Readers Prefer Paper Books

In a 2022 report, the Association of American Publishers found that sales of digital books had barely made a dent in the popularity of paper books. Digital books make up about 20% to 30% of all book sales.

The survey found that:

• 72% of Americans read at least one book last year
• 37% say they only read paper books
• 25% read both digital and paper books
• Only 7% read e-books exclusively
• 66% said paper books offer a more fulfilling experience

Here are some more facts about paper books vs digital when it comes to book sales:

• Paper books outsell digital books at a rate of 4:1
• Sales of paper books have increased by 21%
• Sales of e-books have decreased by 8%
• Fewer people own e-book readers now than the number who did in 2014

British Readers Also Prefer Paper Books

The United Kingdom, like the United States, is a country full of readers. In a 2021 study by Oxfam , the leading thrift store charity, more than two-thirds of readers said they will always choose a paper book over a digital one if they have the choice.

The study also found:

• Almost 50% said they preferred physically turning the pages of paper books
• Another 42% said they liked the way books feel in their hands
• 25% said they liked the way paper books smell
• Only 16% said they prefer digital books

Besides those physical sensations, 32% of readers said it was easier to become immersed in the story when reading a paper book.

Why People Still Choose Paper Books vs Digital Books

Why do people still prefer paper books? If you talk to avid readers, you’ll discover that there are many reasons for this. They range from the practical to the emotional.

Books feel good

The top reason people give for preferring paper books is the way these books feel. The tactile sensations of holding a book, smelling the ink, turning the pages, and progressing from one page to the next all create an enjoyable experience that no digital book can match. Many survey respondents talked about the way books smell. To them, there is something comforting and nostalgic about that smell.

Books look good

Many book lovers find books physically beautiful. If you pick up a so-called coffee table book, it’s easy to see why. No digital experience can match the enjoyment of turning those heavy pages and seeing one gorgeous photograph or illustration after another.

Children’s books are known for their wonderful illustrations, but books for adults often have lovely covers, fonts, and internal layouts. All these elements go into creating books that look good on a table or a shelf.

They’re better for kids

Parents know one of the best things they can do for their kids is read to them. They help kids learn while bonding over the turned pages of a picture book. You can’t do that with a digital book.

Babies and children learn better when learning from paper books vs digital books. Paper books improve interactions between parents or teachers and children. These interactions have strong effects on children’s ability to learn and develop good social skills. Reading together is more enjoyable when you touch the same pages.

Paper books are better for your health

Many of us are aware of the dangers of excessive use of electronics. Your phone and computer have “nighttime screens” that turn dark at night for a reason. They are trying to protect you from excessive amounts of blue light, which is the light emitted by phones, TV, and computer screens.

Too much blue light can interfere with your ability to sleep, and it can lead to fatigue, depression, and loss of alertness. Paper books, however, are safe to read at bedtime or any time. A study by Harvard Medical School found that reading paper books can help you fall asleep safely. Paper books also improve learning and language skills.

They’re better for the environment

Paper books are produced using sustainable resources. They are recyclable and usually end up in yard sales or thrift stores rather than landfills. Discarded e-readers, on the other hand, produce toxic waste. They also take more carbon to produce than paper books.

Bookmarking is easier

Many people find digital bookmarks difficult to use. They are never quite where you left off. It’s also difficult to go back and re-read a particular line or passage just by flipping back a page or two. A simple bookmark in a paper book, however, is a simple, low-tech solution that always works.

They’re convenient

A physical book is easy to take with you on the road or in the air. It doesn’t have to be charged, and you can read it anywhere, even if the power goes out. It’s easy to slip a paperback into your pocket, purse, or tote bag when you’re getting on an airplane or heading to the pool, and you don’t have to worry about damaging any sensitive equipment. You just grab it and go.

Books increase retention

Studies have found that people retain information better when they read it in a paper book. They retain it even better if they take longhand notes about it. In fact, 85% of college educators say old-fashioned note taking by hand is the best way to learn, and 81% of college students supplement their classwork with flashcards, printouts, and other printed materials.

Does paper have some magical quality? No, but researchers think that making a connection between what you read and what you touch helps reinforce learning. Reading a paper book improves your ability to memorize key facts.

Writers Prefer Paper Books

It’s easy to get rapturous about books, and many writers do. They’re the ones who produce them, so it’s natural they would have a lot to say about the joys of reading. Here are some famous writers expressing what they love about paper books.

“A book is a version of the world. If you do not like it, ignore it, or offer your own version in return.” – Salman Rushdie

“I love the smell of book ink in the morning.” – Umberto Eco

“Books are good company in sad times and happy times, for books are people—people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book.” – E.B. White

“I love books. I adore everything about them. I love the feel of the pages on my fingertips. They are light enough to carry, yet so heavy with words and ideas. I love the sound of the pages flicking against my fingers. Print against fingerprints. Books make people quiet, and yet they are so loud.” –Nnedi Okarfor

“A book is a dream you hold in your hands.” – Neil Gaiman

“I have always imagined paradise will be a kind of library.” – Jorge Luis Borges

Print Books Are Here to Stay

Book publishing is a thriving business, and print books make up most of those sales. Printed books are going strong, and most readers still prefer them to digital or audio books. If you’re interested in getting your book into print, contact Publishing Xpress .

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E-Books vs. Print Books: Which Should You Choose?

E-books vs. print books: an overview.

E-books have become a mainstay of the publishing industry. However, the demise of printed books as a result of the introduction of e-books has not materialized as some may have predicted.

Still, in 2022, total revenue from published decreased 2.6% from the year prior, and both formats of books experienced decreases in revenue. Let's take a deeper look at both options and the publishing industry in general.

Key Takeaways

• Print books have the feel of a book that many readers love. You can hold it, turn the pages, and feel the paper.
• Illustrations on paper are generally higher quality than even high-end e-readers can reproduce.
• E-books come with font style and size flexibility.
• E-readers can store thousands of books on a single device.
• The publishing industry experienced a 2.6% decline in revenue in 2022, with both e-books and print books having declined in revenue generated.

Recent History of Print Books and E-Books

According to the Association of American Publishers, e-book sales in the U.S. declined slightly to $983 million in 2019 from a year earlier. The lower growth rate followed several years of double-digit declines in e-book sales. Hardcover and paperback books still rule the market, with approximately $3 billion and 2.5 billion in sales in 2019, respectively.

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic was a boon to print publishing. Sales rose 8.2% year over year to a total of 751 million copies, according to Printing Impressions, a publishing industry journal. More leisure time and a need to educate children at home were cited as reasons for the book-buying spree.

2022 brought about several unique trends. First, paperback and hardback revenue both decreased, with hardback coming in 13.6% less than the year before. E-books also declined, falling 6.5%. It's interesting to note that digital audio revenue grew 71.7% from 2021 to 2022.

Print books have the feel of a book that many readers love. You can hold it, turn the pages, and feel the paper. People who love to read spend a lifetime acquiring books. They may find it wrenching to abandon their shelves of books for a single slab of plastic.

Readers may also compare the quality of illustrations between the two formats and find the print versions superior. The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes can be bought in either hardcover or Kindle versions but readers may find the Kindle version lacking due to the shrunken size of the illustrations and the relative clumsiness of toggling between story text and annotations.

Some readers also experience some eye strain using an electronic device instead of a printed book.

Books on paper are difficult to carry around, especially hardcovers. If you're an avid reader and you're going on a trip, or if you're just stepping out to a coffee shop, an e-reader or iPad is a far lighter burden than a book or a stack of them.

An e-book might be priced about the same or differently than a printed book. Because of the difference in format, there is an entirely different economic consideration for the good.

There's also the satisfaction of having an entire library at your fingertips, not to mention an infinite supply just a click away, ready to download instantly.

In addition, e-book buyers have the advantage that the internet gives consumers of any products: No space constraints. Just about everything ever published is available, all the time.

There are some drawbacks. You must recharge an e-reader or any other electronic device. Some screens are not easily readable in sunlight. And, if you are one of the millions who spend the entire workday in front of a computer, reading your favorite author on a computer screen in the evening may not appeal.

Beyond Amazon

Avid e-book readers can stray beyond Amazon or Barnes and Noble and read for free.

The nonprofit Project Gutenberg offers 70,000 free downloadable books, most of them classics well beyond their copyright protection expiration dates. The site Free Classic Books offers just that, in an alphabetized list from Alcott, Louisa M., to Wodehouse, P.G.

Google Books also brags that it has more than 10 million books available to download for free, including textbooks and government documents as well as literary classics.

Special Considerations: The Publishing Business

E-books may omit some of the traditional costs of publishing, but it imposes other costs. Added technology costs involve formatting the e-book so that various electronic devices and browsers can properly download and store the book.

Whether it's printed or downloaded, a percentage of the e-book price must be paid to online sellers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. This can be anywhere from 30% to 50% of the sale price.

The Independent Route

Smaller publishers and independent authors have more leeway with pricing, but they still have many of the same costs. They must give a percentage of their e-book sales to the online distributor, and unless they are graphic designers, they must hire an illustrator to create their cover art.

Most independent authors have to hire someone to convert their books into e-book format. Plus, they still have the marketing and promotional costs that are required to get their books noticed. However, e-books are overall lower in cost to produce, and that is typically reflected in their lower price than print editions.

Print Books, E-Books, and Personal Finance

With the overview of the industry behind us, let's talk about the finances of owning books. There's a handful of personal finance considerations to make about which to buy.

Upfront Cost

Purchasing an e-reader may involve a higher initial investment than buying a single printed book. However, the economic advantage lies in the long-term savings as e-books may be priced lower than their physical counterparts (as they may cost less to produce). The upfront cost of an e-reader can be considered a one-time expense, and PCMag has several e-reader recommendations that cost less than $100 in 2024.

Subscription Costs

Subscription services like Kindle Unlimited or Audible offer a cost-effective way to access a vast library of e-books. From an economic standpoint, these services can significantly reduce the per-book cost for avid readers, making it a financially smart move as opposed to buying individual books. However, you will not retain ownership during this subscription period, and you won't keep books like you otherwise would like a print book. Note that this section is not consider subscription costs for print books (like a free library card).

Book Resale Value

The resale value of physical books adds an economic dimension to owning a print collection. Used bookstores, online platforms, and book swaps provide avenues for recovering some of the initial investment in printed books. E-books, unfortunately, lack a resale market, making them less financially flexible in this regard.

Storage Costs

Physical books incur storage costs in terms of space requirements and furniture like bookshelves. The economic advantage of e-books is they eliminate the need for physical storage, meaning readers to amass a vast collection without incurring additional expenses. Just think about how much it may cost to move those physical books if you need to relocate homes.

Environmental Cost

From an economic perspective, the environmental impact of printed books, including production and disposal costs, contributes to the overall expense. E-books, unfortunately, may not be as sustainable as some may think. Between the fossil fuels and continual need for electricity, e-books stlll contribute to environmental costs in a different way than printed books.

Production and Distribution Costs

The cost of producing and distributing physical books encompasses expenses related to paper, printing, transportation, and warehousing. E-books sidestep these costs, offering a potentially more economically efficient model for publishers and authors. Though the costs may range and vary based on each book and genre, some unofficial estimates have the total cost to self-publish a book to be several thousands of dollars.

Accessability

The economic advantage of e-books in terms of accessibility is evident for readers with visual impairments. Digital formats allow for features like adjustable text size and screen-reading technology, enhancing the reading experience for a broader audience. Perhaps it for this reason that 25% of U.S. consumers listen to audiobooks.

Change in Preference

Changes in reading habits have implications for e-books and printed book owners. Think of someone who's preference may shift from one genre to another very quickly. If this sounds like you, having greater flexibility with electronic media may make more financial sense.

Which Is More Cost-Effective in the Long Run: Buying E-books or Printed Books?

The long-term cost-effectiveness of buying e-books versus printed books depends on factors such as individual reading habits, the frequency of book purchases, and the availability of discounts. While e-books often have a higher upfront cost with the purchase of an e-reader, the generally lower prices of digital copies may result in greater savings over time, especially for avid readers who buy books regularly.

Is There a Significant Difference in the Resale Value of E-books and Printed Books?

Printed books often have a resale market, allowing readers to recoup some of the initial investment. In contrast, e-books lack a formal resale market due to licensing restrictions.

What Is the Impact of E-books on Local Bookstores From an Economic Standpoint?

The rise of e-books has had a notable impact on local bookstores, with potential economic challenges such as decreased foot traffic and competition from online retailers. However, many independent, small bookstores are partnering with affiliate partners to allow patrons to buy e-books.

E-books offer a potentially cost-effective solution for avid readers. The absence of physical production costs, reduced storage needs, and frequent digital promotions may make a digital library more cost effective. On the other hand, printed books may have resale value, no subscription cost, and greater sentimental appeal to old-fashioned readers. There are many factors to consider when choosing between e-books and printed books from a financial perspective.

Association of American Publishers. " AAP StatShot Annual Report: Publishing Revenues Totaled $28.10 Billion for 2022 ."

David Derrico. " Cost Breakdowns: E-Books vs. Printed Books ."

Association of American Publishers. " AAP StatShot: Trade Book Publisher Revenue Increased by 4.6% in 2018 ."

Association of American Publishers. " AAP DECEMBER 2019 STATSHOT REPORT: PUBLISHING INDUSTRY UP 1.8% FOR CY2019 ."

PIWorld. " Pandemic Drives Printed Book Sales in the US to Highest Level in a Decade ."

Project Gutenberg. " Welcome to Project Gutenberg ."

Google Books. " About Google Books ."

Barnes & Noble Press. " Make More Money by Self-Publishing with B&N Press ."

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The history of the paperback

Saturday 30th July is Paperback Book Day. Learn about the history of this medium.

The paperback revolution in publishing

The paperback revolution was well established by the early 1950s. Paperbacks began to grow. Starting with the prewar Penguins and extending to many other companies, into well-printed, low-cost books on every possible subject. Including a large range of first-class literature. On the Continent, they were known as pocket books. They swept the world, producing new book readers on an unprecedented scale.

Their usage has been particularly prevalent in developing countries. Particularly in Africa. The new paperbacks were widely available. Not just in bookstores but also in pharmacies, street kiosks, and newsstands at train stations, hotel lobbies and airports. The low price of the paperback, which put books into the realm of impulse purchasing for the first time, is attributable mostly to the vast number printed. Seldom fewer than 30,000 and usually considerably more.

The majority of paperbacks have been reprints of successful clothbound novels. Typically, the paperback publisher makes an offer to the hardcover publisher to purchase the paperback rights. Then, the paperback profits are split between the author and the hardcover publisher. While many of the major paperback publishers have created a certain number of previously unpublished books, the paperback business is mostly based on works from traditional publishers. It is consequently a misconception to believe that, despite their seeming popularity, the paperback book will eventually supplant the hardcover book.

Penguin as a paperback icon

Penguin paperbacks were enormously important in paperback history. They are still celebrated for their sleek graphic design and eye-catching colours. 

The first 10 Penguin paperback publications, including Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms, and Dorothy Sayers' The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, were extremely popular, and Penguin had sold over three million copies after just one year in business.

Penguin's visual design was crucial to the company's success. Unlike other publishers, Penguin focused on the brand rather than the title or author of the book. Simple, clear typography, and colour coding.  And, of course, the familiar bird adorned the covers. The appearance aided in gaining attention. Comments about the paperbacks included, "The production is magnificent," and "perfect marvels of beauty and cheapness."

During WWII, troops carried Penguins. They were tiny enough to fit in a uniform pocket. The books were picked for the Services Central and Forces Book Clubs. The Puffin Picture Books label for children was founded in 1940. Children facing evacuation could take with them to their temporary, unpredictable homes. Penguin performed better than the competition during paper scarcity, and the volumes' basic design allowed Penguin to readily handle the typographic constraints. During the war, author and professor Richard Hoggart observed that the books "became a signal: if the back trouser pocket bulged in that way, that usually indicated a reader."

So popular were Penguin paperbacks in the second world war that they were carried in the same bag as a gas mask, according to historical reports. They were also carried in battle dress, placed in a pocket above the left knee. 

Paperback Book Day 

The date of Paperback Book Day commemorates when Penguin first started publishing their paperbacks in 1935. We mentioend their being popular in a war context. Penguin paperbacks also sparked a revolution because the frequency of using rail transport was increasing. This was due to their portability. The popularity of paperbacks has only grown since then. 

To celebrate Paperback Book Day, here are some of our favourite Penguin paperback designs:

Nineteen Eighty-Four

One of the most cleverly designed Penguin covers is Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. That the title becomes less censored with the user’s wear and tear is appropriate for the themes of censorship. It helps solidify the novel as a dystopian classic. 

A Clockwork Orange

This is easily one of the most famous book covers of all time. The Penguin cover features what is commonly called the ‘cog-eyed droog’. This iteration of the cover was published after the film adaptation. Kubrick expressly forbade publishers from using elements of the film poster for the book's cover. You can see the relationship between the cog eye and the makeup used in Kubrick’s film. It takes inspiration from it indirectly and executes it differently as a thematic design element. This cover was done in a hurry but turned out to be the most iconic iteration of the book’s branding. 

A Clockwork Orange… Again

Sorry for the repetition, but the most recent cover for A Clockwork Orange deserves a mention too. This is for a reason very important to us. Designed by Jonathan Barnbrook, he explained the decision behind this cover. Despite his layered style of the past, “You can be as radically different with simplicity as you can with complexity”. We are believers in simplicity at Readable. We couldn’t agree more that ideas can be presented impactfully this way. 

The Joy of English     books     literature     publishing

Laura Kelly

Laura is a freelance writer and worked at Readable for a number of years. Laura is well-versed in optimising content for readability and Readable's suite of tools. She aims to write guides that help you make the most out of Readable.

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The Different Types of Book Formats Explained

Nicole Hill

An aspiring Golden Girl, Nicole Hill is a former journalist and forever writer whose home is equal parts pet rescue and personal library. Nicole lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and growing canine and feline brood. Please send any and all book recs and review copies to [email protected].

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You’re reading this article because you love books. I’m writing it for the same reason. But how much do you know about the books themselves? Why are they shaped the way they are ? Why are there so many different book formats? How can you fit all of these different sizes of books on your bookshelf?

For that last question, I have no answer. Though that hasn’t stopped others from trying to make sense of all of these mismatched sizes .

“It is, admittedly, all too easy to take the existence of physical books for granted,” writes Keith Houston in The Book . “The sheer weight of them that surrounds us at all times, in bookcases, libraries, and bookshops, leads to a kind of bibliographic snow blindness.”

Recent news, though, has us thinking more deeply about book formats. In March, Harlequin discreetly made some changes to its mass market paperbacks; it made them bigger, dubbing the new format “ mass market paperback max .” And in April, Kensington Publishing announced plans to switch its mass market to titles to the “mass max” size in September 2020.

What does all this mean? What’s a mass market paperback, and how’s it different from any other paperback? Why are books different sizes anyway? Let’s revisit the different types of book formats and why each exists.

Before we go any further, a note on terminology: “Trim size” is publishing industry speak for book size. After a book is bound, it’s trimmed down to one of several uniform sizes—sizes for which, in the United States, you actually have Woodrow Wilson to thank.

As Houston outlines in The Book , a wonderfully thorough history of, well, the book, standard book trim sizes are a relatively modern invention. Standardization didn’t start in the U.S. until 1921, when the Wilson administration established two committees dedicated to defining paper sizes: the Permanent Conference on Printing and the Committee on the Simplification of Paper Sizes.

That pair of granularly named committees is responsible, for example, for our standard letter sizes (8 x 10 ½ inches and 8 ½ x 11 inches). How they arrived at such a definition is telling. The dimensions, Houston writes, were (super scientifically) copied from Secretary of State Herbert Hoover’s personal letter paper.

Regardless, any time I refer to “trim size,” I’m merely referring to the actual size of the book.

What they are: Hardcovers, sometimes referred to as “trade cloth” books, are hardbound books with sewn spines. When you buy them new, they may come with removable dust jackets to protect their covers.

Where you see them: Most new releases arrive in hardback first, followed by a paperback release around a year later.

Likely, you’ll see them in your local library, too. Hardcovers—especially those with reinforced library binding—hold up better over time for multiple borrowers, particularly with popular titles, according to Leah Oswald, a reference librarian with the Austin Public Library. Books with lower expected circulation, meanwhile, often get stocked in cheaper paperback form.

Where you won’t see them: A lot of genre fiction (romance, science fiction, fantasy) dispenses with the hardcover format. Many books from indie presses likewise debut in paperback.

Why they exist: Prior to the hardcover, ancient book formats vacillated between various forms of parchment and papyrus scrolls. While these scrolls and bookrolls became increasingly durable, usability problems remained.

“It takes two hands to simultaneously unfurl a bookroll at one end and roll it up at the other,” Houston writes in The Book . “There is no way to casually prop open a scroll in one hand while sipping from a glass of wine held in the other.”

Hardcovers exist for their durability and relative convenience. Their (typically) rectangular, solid shapes behave nicely on bookshelves! And until World War II, they were really the only trim size available. (More on that in a second.)

Today, publishers still put out hardcovers first for the simple fact that they sell, as Philip Jones, editor of publishing-industry magazine The Bookseller , explained in an interview with The Guardian . Citing data from Nielsen BookScan, Jones said hardcovers compose roughly 20% of the printed fiction market.

Why? Any number of reasons. Readers may prefer hardcovers because they’re more durable than paperbacks. Bookstores may prefer them because they’re larger, more easily visible on bookshelves. Without a doubt, publishers prefer hardcovers because they’re more profitable, often selling for “twice the price of a paperback” without twice the production cost, Jones said.

And as Mental Floss notes , hardcover releases followed up by paperback releases give publishers two big marketing opportunities for any given title—double the chances that book will end up in your hands.

Trade Paperbacks

What they are: Trade books are what we consider “standard” paperbacks.

Where you see them: Trade paperbacks (usually measuring somewhere around 5 x 8 inches) are less expensive, more portable book formats. You’ll see trade paperbacks everywhere, for works of adult and children’s fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and poetry alike.

Where you won’t see them: Most books are published in paperback (at some point), but there is the whole oversized books market, which we’ll discuss in a moment.

Why they exist: Paperbacks of any size exist because of their accessibility, affordability, and portable nature. But the mainstreaming of paperbacks in the United States is largely a product of World War II.

Penguin began publishing its cheaper, commuter-friendly paperbacks in Britain in 1935. Pocket Books followed suit in the United States in 1939 with its own lines of books stocked in accessible consumer locations like newsstands. Certainly, there was an audience, which Andrew Liptak documented for Kirkus . In a country still buffeted by the Great Depression, hardbacks were out of economic reach even for the traditional “reading classes.”

And then World War II.

Prior to the 1930s and ‘40s, the American paperback market was the dominion of pulp novels and comics. So-called serious literature was available in costly hardcover forms. But wartime America created a new audience of soldiers hungry for the comforts of home and a distraction, as The Atlantic ’s Yoni Appelbaum reports.

In a partnership between publishers and the U.S. military, cheap Armed Services Edition paperbacks were produced on magazine presses and sent to the front lines, as Cara Giaimo writes for Atlas Obscura . Available titles included popular pulp favorites like westerns but also classic and best-selling books previously published only in hardcover—all sold to the Army for just 6 cents a book .

When those soldiers returned home, there was no going back to days without a less expensive, widely available, easily held book format.

Mass Market Paperbacks

What they are: If the hardcover is the Range Rover, the trade paperback is the luxury sedan. The mass market paperback? It’s the 2006 Toyota Corolla you’ll drive until one of you dies. Designed for affordability rather than perceived elegance, mass market paperbacks are typically smaller with tighter typeset.

Where you see them: Romance novels, but also much of adult genre fiction, including science fiction and mystery. (No doubt you’ve seen the vivid fantasy covers of mass market paperbacks at your favorite used bookstore.)

Where you won’t see them: Curiously, the industry segment with a gaping mass market hole is the current YA landscape . You’d think books intended for youth audiences would be printed in the cheaper, more easily maneuverable format, no? At least, you’d think that if you’d spent as much time with mass market Christopher Pike thrillers as a teen as I did.

Why they exist: At 4 x 7 inches, they’re perfect to throw in your bag, though that convenience is also the reason why you’ll find them in used bookstores, their covers tattered from being loved too much .

Dedicated readers of genres like romance get very attached to the hand-feel of mass market paperbacks. They’re easy to hold and easy to stow. That’s why Harlequin and Kensington’s announcements about the “mass max” paperback are such big news. The mass max books will measure an expanded 4.75 x 7 inches. That may not seem like a big increase, but think about the size of your palm in comparison to ¾ of an inch.

In announcing its move, Harlequin cited positive reader feedback about the larger size (and larger fonts), paper quality, and spine design—notably, all hallmarks of a traditional (slightly more expensive) trade paperback.

Time will tell if the mass max will eclipse the smaller mass market paperback or even eat into the number of books published as trade paperbacks.

Oversized Books

What they are: Finally, we arrive at coffee table books. These massive hardcovers are most likely what you artfully stack in the living room before guests come over.

Where you see them: Typically, you’ll see oversized art books, photography collections, and cookbooks, as well as nonfiction books that otherwise rely on visuals and imagery. Occasionally, you’ll see graphic novels appear in this format for collected volumes like Saga .

Where you won’t see them: Barring unusual circumstances or unique publisher whims, you’re not going to be lugging home any oversized novels or works of narrative nonfiction.

Why they exist: Oversized books for display have been around for centuries, but David Brower, the first executive director of the Sierra Club, is commonly credited with inventing our modern coffee table book.

In Natural Visions: The Power of Images in American Environmental Reform , author Finis Dunaway explores the reasons behind the Sierra Club’s “Exhibit Format” books, which paired nature photos from the likes of Ansel Adams with text from nature writers.

These “large, heavy books, measuring over 10 inches wide by over a foot long” were part of a coordinated campaign to lobby Congress on wildlife protection bills, Dunaway writes: “Sierra Club artists used the camera to present nature as sacred and sublime; their photographs encouraged audiences to view wilderness as a place where people are visitors who do not remain.”

They were on to something. Nature photography remains a huge subject for these oversized books, though only one of many to take advantage of this visually striking form.

So that’s it. That’s a brief look at the most common trim sizes for books. Are there other book formats? Yes, as evidenced by spiral-bound cookbooks or children’s board books. If you’re interested in learning even more about books as an entity, give these 10 Nonfiction Titles That Will Change the Way You See Books a try.

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Parts of a Book: Quire, Colophon, and More

A quire was originally a small medieval book or pamphlet, especially one constructed of a set of four sheets of paper folded in two, forming eight leaves. The quire grew in time, and it came to be a collection of 24 (sometimes 25) folded or unfolded sheets, which makes a ream of 480 sheets of paper 20 quires, and a quire one twentieth of a ream. ( Ream in this sense is from Arabic rizma , which literally means "bundle"; the verb ream with the slangy sense of "reprimand" may come from a Middle English word meaning "to open up," but that's an educated guess so don't ream us out if it turns out not to be true.) Quire is ultimately from Latin quaterni , meaning "set of four," and entered Middle English via Anglo-French.

For those who might be contemplating the similar pronunciation of quire and the "singing" choir , quire is actually an archaic variant of the word. Choir is also derived from Anglo-French: it is from queor , a French formation derived from Medieval Latin chorus , referring to a company of singers in church or the area in which they sing. Quire was often used in English as a variant of choir up to the close of the 17th century.

A colophon , whose name is from a Greek word meaning "summit" or "finishing touch," is traditionally an inscription placed at the end of a book or manuscript, usually with facts that relate to its production. These details might include the name of the printer and the date and place of printing. Colophons are found in some manuscripts and books made as long ago as the 6th century AD. In Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, a colophon was often added to provide facts such as the author's name and the date and place of the completion of the work, as well as an expression of thanks to those who assisted in its production.

Eventually, the colophon was included on the blank page opposite the title page where it consists of usually a one-sentence statement as to where the book was printed and by whom. It also can be a simple identifying mark, emblem, or device that is used by a printer or a publisher on the title page, cover, spine, or jacket. Whatever the case, they remain a neat feature to discover when perusing books in a used book store.

Spine goes back to the 15th century, and it is derived from Latin spina , which can mean "thorn" or "backbone" (which are also two of the original meanings of spine in English). The word was first applied to the back of a book to which the pages are attached—or the part that shows as the book ordinarily stands on a shelf that is often lettered with the title and the author's and publisher's name—in the early 20th century. Along with back , the spine of a book might be also called the backbone , backstrip , or shelfback .

The title on the backbone, being functional as well as decorative, is of paramount importance. — R. R. Donnelley and Sons Company, All the King's Horses , 1954 These backstrips, which were usually without bands, contained at the top the title of the books and at the foot the motto, spes mea deus. — Meiric K. Dutton, Historical Sketch of Bookbinding , 1926 This volume breaks all the patterns: the cover is paper-covered boards with a cloth shelfback, and the dust jacket echoed the cover. — Kari A. Ronning, Studies in the Novel , 22 Sept. 2013

In Latin, ex libris means, literally, "from the books," and, in the past, the phrase was placed before the owner's name on a bookplate . In the late 19th-century, the phrase came to refer to the bookplate itself, which is a label that identifies the owner of the book, is usually engraved or printed, has a distinctive design (for instance, the owner's coat of arms ), and is pasted to the inside front cover of a book.

In Latin, liber meant "book." That word gave English the word library in the 14th century. To remember the meaning of ex libris , you might think of it as meaning "from the library of (that person who lent you the book)."

The area where the inside margins of adjoining pages of a book meet is called the gutter . For obvious reasons, the gutter must always be wide enough to permit the innermost text to be read easily when the book is bound. 

In Middle English, the word gutter referred to any watercourse, in general, before specifying a brook and then a type of trough to catch and carry off rainwater on a street or from a rooftop—and, later, one that carries a misthrown bowling ball.

The word coursed into English via Anglo-French gutere or guter , derived from gute , meaning "drop" as well as " gout ." The disease known as gout , which causes painful swelling of the joints especially in the toes, gets its name from the antiquated notion that the disease was caused by drops of diseased humors . Actually, it is caused by the deposit of uric-acid salts, which are normally excreted in urine, in joints.

A page was a youth in medieval Europe who served an apprenticeship in the duties of chivalry in the family of a man of rank. He began as an assistant to a squire in the hope of becoming a squire himself and then advancing to a knight.

As a page, Wart had learned to lay the tables with three cloths and a carpet, and to bring meat from the kitchen, and to serve Sir Ector or his guests on bended knee. — T. H. White, The Sword in the Stone , 1938

Like the youthful, but lexically older, page , the bookish page is a derivative from French, but it ultimately goes back to Latin pagina , which is akin to the Latin verb pangere , meaning "to fix" or "to fasten." The connection comes from strips of papyrus being "fastened" together to form a writing surface. The English word paper also has a connection: it, too, enters English via French and is from Latin, and its Latin origin is papyrus .

The verb page in senses denoting service as an attendant or messenger is older than the verb referring to the numbering of the pages of a book or turning pages, as in "paging through a magazine." " Page boys " were being "paged," or being called upon, by the early 20th century, and by the 1930s, people were being "paged" via radio or intercom. The predecessor of the pager as a device used to signal someone via beeps, vibrations, or flashes about an incoming message enters English about mid-1900s. Fast-forwarding, talk about a computer "page" began in the 1970s, and " home pages " and " web pages " in the 1990s.

In printing, a sheet of paper folded in half is called a folio . The name is from Latin folium , meaning " leaf ." The term folio can also refer to a book of large size. The collected works of William Shakespeare, for example, were first published in a folio edition in 1623. Eighteen of Shakespeare’s plays were printed in quartos (books about half the size of a modern magazine) before that publication. The quartos are seen as defective editions of the Bard's work, marred by badly garbled or missing text. In printing, a quarto refers to a sheet of paper folded in fours or the book itself composed of bound quarto signatures. ( Signatures are printer's sheets folded to form one unit of a book; a book is a collection of signatures that are bound together.)

Folio can also refer to a page number, and the numbers may be prominent or unobtrusive—in other words, they could be placed prominently at the top, the center, or the outside margin of the page, or they could be unobtrusively placed at the bottom or the gutter margin. A more common sense of folio refers to a case or folder for loose papers. 

Another "leafy" page in publishing is flyleaf , which refers to one of the free endpapers of a book. An endpaper is a folded sheet pasted against the inside front cover, but sometimes the back, and forms the first or last free page of a book with the other half.

When you want to rock out to your favorite tune, you reach for the volume knob or button, but when you want to find out how sound travels through the air to your ears, you might reach for a volume of an encyclopedia (at least, in pre-internet days). So, what's the connection between those senses of the word volume ?

Volume comes from the Latin noun volumen (meaning "roll"), which, in turn, derives from the Latin verb volvere ("to roll"). The Roman volumen was essentially a book rolled up on a short staff. The reader held the roll in one hand and, once he or she had read a column, rolled it onto another cylinder with the other hand.  

The French borrowed the word from Latin, changing it to volume , and in the 14th century, the English acquired the word from the French. At first, volume simply meant "book," but by the 16th century, it had also come to refer to a book that is a part of a series of books. From there, the word was extended to the generalized sense meaning "the quantity, amount, or mass of anything," and in the 18th century, volume acquired the meaning "strength or intensity of sound."

Bibliography

Bibliography commonly refers to the alphabetized listing of books, magazines, articles, etc., that are mentioned in a text. Additionally, it can refer to a listing that is more detailed, or "descriptive," about the references, or it can refer to a critical or analytical study of books as tangible objects themselves.

A descriptive bibliography may take the form of detailed information about a particular author's body of works or about works on a given subject. Critical bibliography, on the other hand, involves meticulous descriptions of the physical features of books, including the paper, binding, printing, typography, and production processes that are used to help establish such facts about a book as its date of publication and its authenticity.

Bibliography dates to the 17th century, and it likely developed from New Latin  bibliographia , itself derived from the Greek word for "the copying of books," a combination of biblio- ("book") and -graphein ("to write").

Supplementary matter that forms a cohesive whole is often found in an appendix . A book may have a single appendix or more (which, in such cases, will usually be headed "Appendix A," "Appendix B," etc.). The appendix may consist entirely of the author's prose, or it might consist of a table, list, document, or something else.

The word appendix is from Latin appendere , meaning "to be attached," and goes back to the 16th century. In English, it refers to things connected or joined to something larger or more important, like the back matter of a book added to the main text. The tube that is located at the bottom of a balloon to inflate it is also called an appendix. Both plural forms of the word, appendixes and appendices , are standard in technical and nontechnical contexts.

The anatomical appendix, the narrow tube at the beginning of the large intestine, is technically referred to as the " vermiform appendix " (in Latin, vermis means "worm"). The vermiform appendix is not essential and can be removed if it becomes inflamed. A book's appendix is also not essential to a book's main text, but it gives additional support to the writer's claims.

In Middle English, chapter was often spelled chapitre . That spelling is taken directly from an Anglo-French word that is based on Late Latin capitulum —ultimately from caput , meaning "head," and itself meaning "division of a book," which is the common meaning of chapter in English. 

The phrase " chapter and verse " in reference to providing exact information or details about something goes back to the early 17th century and, rather unsurprisingly, comes from the tradition of citing exact biblical passages by their chapter as well as their verse number.

Chapter was also used in Middle English for a meeting of clergy members, which was frequently opened with the reading of a chapter from the Scriptures. This sense of chapter eventually evolved into today's sense referring to the body of a local branch of an organization, as in "chapters of the American Red Cross" or "chapters of the fraternity."

Epigraph refers to a short quotation from another source placed at the beginning of an article, chapter, book, etc., that alludes to what's to come in your reading. Its attribution is generally set by itself on the line below the quotation. Alternatively (if print space is a concern), it is run in on the last line of the quotation. When set on its own line, it is generally preceded by an em dash or, less frequently, it is enclosed in parentheses.

Here are a couple examples of famous epigraphs: 

Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay / To mould me Man? Did I solicit thee / From darkness to promote me? — John Milton, Paradise Lost (in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein ) Lawyers, I suppose, were children once. — Charles Lamb, "The Old Benchers of the Inner Temple" (in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird ) 

The word epigraph is derived from Greek epigraphein , meaning "to write on" or "to inscribe," and was written into the English lexicon in the 17th century, originally as a word for an inscription engraved on buildings, tombs, statues, or other objects, such as coins (as in "In God We Trust," which is an epigraph on U.S. coins).

Skiver is an early 19th-century word that refers to a thin, soft leather made of sheepskin that is tanned in sumac and dyed. In the past, it was used for hat linings, pocketbooks, and bookbindings. Its name is probably derived from Scandinavian skive , a verb meaning "to cut off (as leather or rubber) in thin layers or pieces." 

Readers might be familiar with skivvies as a word for "underwear," or maybe even skivvy , an early 20th-century term for a female domestic servant in British English. They are unrelated.

Preface/Foreword/Introduction

An author's prefatory remarks that explain the object and scope of what follows are usually titled "Preface," which is appropriate since the word preface comes from Latin praefari , meaning "to say beforehand." For works of literature, prefaces can sometimes be extended essays, such as those of Henry James and George Bernard Shaw. The preface often closes with acknowledgements of those who assisted in the writing, and it is usually signed (and the date and place of writing sometimes follow the typeset signature).

When a person other than the author writes an introductory essay, it is normally titled " Foreword " (which denotes words said before something else and is presumably from a translation of German Vorwort ); the author's preface, if any, then follows it.

Another type of prefatory matter is the " Introduction ." The introduction contains information that is essential to the main text and that may be paginated in Arabic numerals. In reference works, such as a dictionary, a section of explanatory notes concerning content and format might be included in the front matter.

Vellum is from Middle English velym , borrowed from Anglo-French velim , which itself is related to an adjective meaning "of a calf" and a noun meaning "calf." The word is also related to veal .

Vellum , in printing, refers to the skins of calf, kid, or lamb prepared as parchment for writing on or for binding books. The term is also used as a synonym of parchment . The production of parchment facilitated the success of the codex , an early type of manuscript consisting of a collection of pages stitched together along one side that replaced earlier rolls of papyrus and wax tablets.

In modern usage, the terms vellum and parchment are sometimes applied to a type of cream-colored paper of high quality that is made chiefly from wood pulp and rags and having a special finish; they also refer to vegetable parchment , which we now call simply parchment paper and use in cooking. Additionally, they refer to translucent paper made for tracing purposes.

Addendum refers to something that is added; specifically, it refers to a section of a book added to the main or original text that might include explanation, comment, or supplementary material. It comes from a Latin word of the same meaning, and it is often used in its Latin plural form addenda (as opposed to addendums ) when it is applied to a supplement of a book.

In mathematics, the related addend , which is a shortening of addendum , refers to a number or quantity to be added to a preceding one or to a sum already accumulated. 4 and 9, for example, are addends in 4+9 = 13.

Index refers to a usually alphabetical list that includes all or nearly all items (such as authors, subjects, or keywords) that are considered pertinent and are discussed or mentioned in a book, catalog, etc., or an electronic database. An index gives with each item the location of its mention in the work, and it is located at the end of the work. The word, as well as this sense, goes back to the 16th century, and it is from the Latin verb indicare , meaning "to point out" or "to indicate," which explains why the forefinger is also called the " index finger " and, in economics, we have such terms as the " consumer price index " and " retail price index ," both of which indicate changes of prices over a given period of time. 

In the "book" sense of the word, the plural indexes is preferred, but the Latin plural form indices is also acceptable.

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Hardcover vs Paperback: Definitions and When to Publish With Either

Self-published authors now have the option to publish hardcover books alongside their paperback and ebooks. This option was first rolled out to limited authors in the US marketplace in 2021, but now it's available in several major markets around the world, including the UK, France, and Germany. 

But what does it take to publish a hardcover book through Amazon KDP? Is it worth it? What are the differences between the two? I'll answer these questions and more as we take a look at hardcover vs paperback publishing.

• Differences between hardcover and paperback for publishing.
• When you would offer both (and when you shouldn't bother).
• How to format your manuscript and cover for hardcover publishing.

Table of contents

• Which Do Readers Prefer?
• What Book Formats to Publish as an Indie Author
• The Added Benefits of Offering Hardcover and Paperback
• Size Options
• Different Page Count Requirements
• Cover Differences
• Printing Costs
• No Dust Jacket
• Hardcover vs Paperback: Conclusion

Paperback vs Hardcover: Which is Better?

It used to be that traditional publishers would release the more expensive hardcover edition (sometimes called the hardback edition) months or years before releasing the trade paperback edition. Actually, this is still common practice among some major publishers and big-name authors.

But the rise in ebook popularity has changed the landscape somewhat. And now that self-publishers have easy access to hardback book creation, things are shifting even more. 

If you ask readers which version they prefer, you'll get a mixed bag of responses. Using this poll on Goodreads , we see that 57% of respondents (12,148 votes at the time of this writing) said they preferred paperback books. The other 43% (9,150 votes) said they preferred hardcovers.   

Other polls find that the numbers even out a bit, splitting fairly evenly, with some respondents preferring ebooks. 

To be sure, there are differences in terms of feel, durability, and collectability. As an avid reader, you're surely aware of the differences. Paperbacks can take less damage, but they're also smaller (usually) and—most importantly—cheaper . 

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Hardcover books are bigger, tougher, and more expensive, on the whole. They also may have a dust jacket, although this is not the case with Amazon KDP's hardcover print-on-demand system. More on that later. 

But as a self-published author, wouldn't you want to offer potential readers any and all formats they might want? Well, yes and no. Let's dive into hardcover vs paperback books for indie authors. 

Let's get this out of the way right up front: the majority of your book sales as an indie author will come from ebooks . Probably by a wide margin. For this reason, getting the ebook right in all aspects should be your first order of business—especially as a new author. 

That said, you can often save money by paying your book cover designer up-front to create an ebook and paperback cover at the same time. I would highly recommend doing this from the start, even if you don't plan on releasing a paperback version anytime soon. 

Additionally, it's much easier to create a hardback cover from a paperback cover than it is to make a hardback cover from an ebook cover. So if you have that paperback PDF cover in your back pocket, you can always bring the hardcover dimensions to your designer and have them create a new cover.

So, if you shouldn't worry about creating a hardback cover from the get-go, when should you?

When to Publish Hardcover Books

If you're a new author, I suggest an order of importance that goes like this: ebook, paperback, hardcover, audiobook .

The fact is, you won't sell many paperback books as a new author. And you'll sell even fewer hardcover books because they are, by necessity, more expensive to produce. So there are other things to focus on, like getting your ebooks just right, setting up your email list, and learning how to market. 

But if you're a more established author with some money coming in and an audience of readers who buy your books when they come out, you may want to do a bit of extra work to offer a hardcover version. You may have some fans who want to purchase the hardbound book as a collector’s edition or simply because they prefer hardback books from their favorite authors. 

If you want to go the extra mile, you could add some bonus content to your hardback book. This could add to the reading experience and provide some incentive for your fans to spend the extra dough on the more expensive print book.  

But again, most of your book sales will come from the ebook version . When readers are taking a chance on a new author, they won't often shell out the $20+ for the hardcover copy. 

There are some benefits to offering hardcover and paperback books (in addition to ebooks, of course) that may not be so readily apparent. 

For one, the higher price of the hardcover version can make the paperback version look like a good deal— and the ebook version look like a steal . So while you may not see an uptick in hardcover sales, it could increase sales of the other two versions. 

There's also the benefit of looking like a professional. When traditionally published books are offering all three versions, adding the hardcover can help you stand up there with those books published by trad authors. 

What to Know About Self-Publishing Hardcover vs Paperback

Now that we've gone over the why, let's talk about the what. There are some distinct differences between publishing hardcover and paperback books. Since Amazon is still the biggest market for book sales, we'll focus on KDP. Just keep in mind that there are other options, like IngramSpark and Lulu , to choose from. 

If you're ready to start the process of publishing your hardcover edition, check out our article on how to publish a hardcover book on Amazon . 

The biggest hurdle you'll have to overcome when turning your paperback format into a hardcover is size. Hardcover publishing options are much narrower than their paperback counterparts. 

There are sixteen different paperback trim size options on KDP, ranging from 5″ x 8″ at the smallest to 8.27″ x 11.69″ at the largest. 

Hardcover trim sizes are a different matter. There are only five hardcover options in KDP :

• 5.5″ x 8.5″
• 6″ x 9″ 
• 6.14″ x 9.21″
• 7″ x 10″
• 8.25″ x 11″

So if you have your paperback manuscript formatted in a different size from the five above, you'll have to re-size it for printing in hardcover.

If you do the re-sizing manually, this can take a lot of time. Luckily, with our formatting and writing tool Atticus, all it takes is a simple click of the mouse to re-size your manuscript. Check it out here . 

There are also different page count requirements for paperbacks and their hardcover counterparts. Luckily, most books will fall easily between the counts for both versions. Some books, such as children's picture books , won't be long enough for hardback printing. 

Paperback Book Page Count Requirements:

• Minimum of 24 pages, maximum of 828.

Hardcover Page Count Requirements:

• Minimum of 75 pages, max of 550. 

If you have an especially long book, like an epic fantasy, remember that increasing the trim size will reduce the page number. So if you're just over the 550 number at a small trim size, you may be able to choose a larger trim size to get your book under that number. 

If your paperback is the same size as one of the hardback trim sizes above, you may think you've dodged a bullet when it comes to your cover. Unfortunately, this isn't the case. The overall size may be the same, but the margins are bigger on hardcover books. Chances are, you'll need to adjust your existing cover before printing. 

Luckily, Amazon offers a template you can download to give to your designer for the proper adjustments to your print-ready PDF cover. 

This isn't just a matter of resizing the PDF. You will probably have to adjust the title and author name so they won't interfere with the margins. Only after you have the cover dimensions right can you finish the publishing process.

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I've already mentioned the fact that hardcover books are more expensive to print than paperback books, but we'll get into specifics here. Amazon KDP uses the same calculation to determine the cost of printing a hardcover book as it does a paperback book. Both are dependent on the size and number of pages of the book, and both offer a standard 60% royalty rate. But the fixed cost is different. 

Here are a couple of examples our KDP royalty calculator :

Paperback Book – Black & white interior with white paper – 355 pages – $14.99 list price.

• 60% of $14.99 = $8.99
• Estimated printing cost = $5.26
• Total royalty per sale (8.99 – 5.26) = $3.73 

Hardcover Book – Black & white interior with white paper – 355 pages – $21.99 list price.

• 60% of $21.99 = $13.19
• Estimate printing cost = $9.91
• Total royalty per sale ($13.19 – $9.91) = $3.28

As you can see, the printing cost of a hardcover book with the same number of pages is significantly higher than a paperback. We couldn't sell the hardcover for $14.99 even if we wanted to because it wouldn't cover the printing cost. So to make a comparable royalty rate on the hardcover, we'd have to go up to $21.99. 

Keep in mind that the examples above are just estimates . You'll be able to see your own printing costs when you go to publish your hardback and paperback books. 

Paperback printed books offered by Amazon KDP are identical to other mass-market paperback books (except you don't have the option for raised lettering). But when it comes to their hardcover books, there's one major difference: no dust jacket. 

KDP's hardcover books are what's called case laminate books, meaning the cover image is printed directly on the cover —which is made of some kind of thick cardboard. They offer matte or glossy finish, just like they do for their paperback book printing options. 

While this surely keeps the printing cost down (because they don’t have to make dust jackets), it still sets them aside from books printed by traditional publishers. This is something to keep in mind on your publishing journey. Otherwise, the paper quality is good and you still have the choice of a black-and-white interior on white paper or cream (or a color interior on white paper). 

Putting out a hardcover edition of your book is secondary to providing a great reading experience and nailing other things like your genre-targeted cover, your marketing efforts, and foundational assets like a growing email list. Since putting out ebook and paperback editions are essential for new authors, publishing hardback editions can wait until you're comfortable with those other formats. 

As you get your author career off the ground, there will be things pulling at you from all directions. And while there is a time and place to consider them, they don't all need to be done at once. As long as you have an ebook and paperback book version published on Amazon, you can rest easy knowing that you have the majority of your potential sales covered. 

But when the time comes for formatting your hardcover book manuscript, don't forget to check out Atticus . Formatting is just one of the many tools Atticus offers to save busy authors time and money. 

Dave Chesson

When I’m not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, I’m a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. I’ve even been called “The Kindlepreneur” by Amazon publicly, and I’m here to help you with your author journey.

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Paper: Definition, History, Characteristics, & Applications

Paper is an incredibly interesting and versatile material. It is a material that is deeply tied to human history, as it has been the primary means of recording that history for at least a millennium. However, paper can be made into many different variations — different colors, weights, and textures.

This article will explore some of the characteristics and applications of paper.

.css-2xf3ee{font-size:0.6em;margin-left:-2em;position:absolute;color:#22445F;} .css-14nvrlq{display:inline-block;line-height:1;height:1em;background-color:currentColor;-webkit-mask:url(https://assets.xometry.com/fontawesome-pro/v6/svgs/light/link.svg) no-repeat center/contain content-box;mask:url(https://assets.xometry.com/fontawesome-pro/v6/svgs/light/link.svg) no-repeat center/contain content-box;-webkit-mask:url(https://assets.xometry.com/fontawesome-pro/v6/svgs/light/link.svg) no-repeat center/contain content-box;aspect-ratio:640/512;vertical-align:-15%;}.css-14nvrlq:before{content:"";} What Is Paper?

What is the history of paper.

Paper-like materials were developed in different parts of the world from different substances. Papyrus was made by the Egyptians as early as 3000 BCE, by layering slices of the papyrus reed. Tapa was made in tropical climates by beating the bark of the mulberry tree into a thin sheet. Parchment was made in Greece around the second century BCE by treating the skins of animals with lime.

However, the first proper paper made from pulped plant fibers was made in China in approximately 200 BCE. Materials like hemp, mulberry bark, and bamboo were soaked for more than a month and then beaten into a pulp. The pulp was then spread out thinly on a loosely woven screen, allowing the excess liquid to drain out. The pulp was left to dry until the paper could be peeled off of the screen.

This approach to papermaking progressed to Korea and Japan by 600 CE, and then west to Samarkand in Uzbekistan by about 800 CE. Samarkand, especially, was known for its high-quality paper. From there, papermaking spread throughout the Islamic world. The technology steadily improved and continued to spread globally, until the industrial revolution in the 1800s brought about the means for mass production of paper products.

What Is Paper Made Of?

Paper is made of plant fibers — specifically, cellulose fibers. It is made by gathering natural plant materials (lignocellulosic biomass) and treating them both mechanically and chemically. This not only separates the cellulose fibers but can also prepare them to influence the properties of the final paper product. The fibers can be long or short and are commonly bleached. The cellulose fibers knit with each other, forming a sheet of paper.

How Is Paper Made?

The modern papermaking process uses wood from selected tree species cut from managed forests as raw material. These may be either hardwoods or softwoods, depending on the application. Each species of tree will result in fibers with different characteristics. In the forest, the trees are felled and cut into logs. They are then transported to the paper mill. At the mill, the logs are debarked before being chipped. The wood chips are then chemically treated to remove the lignin from the cellulose, resulting in a cellulose pulp. The pulp is typically bleached to make white paper.

The pulp is then fed into a paper-making production line. This is a large series of machines made up of many processes that happen sequentially. The pulp is applied onto a wire screen as a thin sheet, and liquid is pressed out of it. The continuous paper sheet progresses through a series of rollers, becoming thinner and dryer. The final few rollers are heated to evaporate moisture from the paper sheet. Finally, a finishing section smooths the paper and can apply a coating to the surface of the paper according to its intended purpose.

What Are the Different Characteristics of Paper?

Paper has several characteristics that contribute to its versatility as a material. Each of the characteristics explained below adds to the available applications of paper:

1. Flexibility

Paper can be easily deformed and made to conform to objects. This is exhibited when wrapping a gift — the wrapping paper takes on the shape of the item that it covers. A large part of this flexibility is because paper is typically produced in thin sheets, and it does not take much force at all to bend these thin sheets. More than this, the knitting of the fibers of the paper means that it maintains its integrity when deformed, rather than being brittle. Paper’s flexibility allows it to be manipulated without specialized tools — just one’s hands are usually enough.

2. Durability

Although paper is relatively easy to tear or damage intentionally, the reality is that it is very durable when treated with reasonable care. Paper in a book, stored correctly in a library, has been shown to endure for more than 1000 years! Paper is an archiving material, used to keep information for the long term. It is necessary to store paper away from moisture and pests like insects and mice. Variations of paper, such as acid-free and archival paper, are specifically manufactured with durability in mind to preserve printed records.

3. Absorbency

Paper products absorb water (and most other liquids) easily. This can be a disadvantage in some applications, but it is a key feature for others. Paper towels are very common in domestic kitchens because of their absorbency. Toilet paper is also highly absorbent, allowing the paper to be easily flushed via waterborne sewerage. Paper’s absorbency is due to water clinging to the cellulose fibers of the paper.

Paper is an opaque material, which means that it blocks light and is not transparent. This property of paper is used in products such as wallpaper, where coverage of the wall underneath is required. Thin sheets of paper do allow some light through, so, for opacity, thicker sheets are generally required. In art and some books, thicker opaque sheets are used to ensure that drawn or printed lines from other pages or the other side of the page do not show through.

5. Recyclability

Paper is easily recyclable, and relatively cheap to recycle as well. By soaking used paper, the cellulose fibers can be returned to a solution, and the papermaking process can essentially be carried out once more. The recovered cellulose fibers are placed on a screen, and the water is squeezed out of the sheet. Due to the fibers being reused rather than virgin, typically lower quality paper is made from recycled material, but there are still many applications for this, such as cardboard boxes and cartons for food and beverage packaging.

6. Composition Variability

Paper does have variability in its composition. This is primarily a function of the timber used to produce the paper, broadly split into hardwoods or softwoods. Typically softwoods have longer and thicker fibers, leading to stronger products than hardwoods, which generally have shorter and thinner fibers. Softwoods also tend to have more lignin and extractives than hardwoods. The specific chemicals used to make the paper also affect its final composition. This variability allows further variants of paper to be produced, such as acid-free paper or manila paper.

7. Texture and Weight Variation

Paper can be manufactured to various weight specifications, typically reflected in the GSM (grams per square meter) or lbs designation. The density and thickness of the paper are selected to match the application, such as thin book pages or more durable cardstock (cover paper).

8. Smooth or Textured Surface

Paper can be manufactured with a broad range of textures. This adds variety and creativity in areas such as: greeting cards, invitations, and other decorative stationery. Standard copy paper is generally considered smooth, but many decorative paper products can be rough, glossy, or embossed with repeated patterns.

What is Paper Used For?

Paper has many different uses (as there are many variations of paper products), but the most fundamental use of paper is to make records. Paper is used for the pages of books, and books are used to store knowledge. Historically, this was done by hand, capturing thoughts, events, and laws through handwriting the words onto paper. Since the invention of the printing press in the 1440s, paper has been used for printing. However, as the current digital age continues, this has become less essential, as records are increasingly being stored digitally. Paper’s uses continue to diversify. One example of this is the current expansion into sustainable packaging solutions.

What Are the Different Examples of Paper?

Various examples of paper exist all around us in daily life. At home, we use paper towels in the kitchen and toilet paper in the bathroom. This type of paper is thin, flexible, and particularly water-absorbent. There may be wallpaper on our walls — this paper must be opaque, and have varied finishes, coatings, and embossings. At work, copy paper is still used extensively for hard copies of documents and reports - this paper is bleached white, is optimized for cost, and holds ink well. Greeting cards are printed on thicker, higher-quality paper, which has a premium feel and is often embellished with inks, embossings, and punched patterns. There are many different examples of different varieties of paper in our daily lives. 

What Are the Different Types of Paper?

There are many different types of paper, varying in raw material (such as recycled paper, virgin hardwood, or softwood), thickness, and finish. The most common, day-to-day paper is copy paper — the standard pieces of paper that are used to print documents. These are white, are a standard, intermediate thickness, and are cut to standardized sizes. Thicker paper is generally called cardstock, but there are specific types of cardstock, such as that used for greeting cards or crafts, and the sort used for in-store advertising displays. There are also many types of thinner paper, such as: tissue paper for gift packaging, newsprint paper for newspapers, and tracing paper. Papers can also be coated or dyed to give different surface finishes, and therefore different end uses.

What Is the Advantage of Using Paper?

The primary advantage of using paper is its sustainability. It is a sustainable material for several reasons: it is biodegradable, easily recyclable, and has a very low carbon footprint. Paper is a renewable resource, especially when made from managed, sustainable forests. The trees, while waiting to be turned into paper, are also a carbon sequestration mechanism, capturing atmospheric carbon. Once paper is produced, it is easily recycled, which further limits processing costs and impacts from virgin paper manufacturing. Even if paper is not recycled, but rather disposed of, it is biodegradable. It therefore has a much smaller impact on the environment than plastic materials. All of these factors contribute to paper’s sustainability and therefore have raised the value of paper packaging products in recent years.

It should be noted that paper manufacturing is not without environmental concerns, particularly due to high water and chemical usage. However, paper is still considered a more sustainable material than plastic and metal alternatives for the reasons above.

What Is the Disadvantage of Using Paper?

The main disadvantage of using paper is its poor durability. Paper is not very strong, and therefore paper packaging has limited structural integrity and is easily damaged by impacts. Further, it is vulnerable to moisture and is easily damaged or destroyed by absorbing water. This makes it unsuitable for use with moist materials unless an additional waterproof coating is applied to the paper product.

Is Paper a Vital Material for Embossing?

What are the different applications of paper in different industries.

Paper has a large number of applications in multiple industries. Some of these are explained below:

• Packaging: Paper packaging materials have exploded in popularity due to their better sustainability compared to plastic materials. These packaging materials are used for: food, electronics, and other small items.
• Records: Paper has been the key means of keeping records for the last millennium. Although record-keeping is shifting heavily to digital media in the 21st century, there are still many applications that use paper for keeping records in hard copy. These can include: logbooks, drawing paper, receipt slips, and anything printed.
• Decoration: Paper is a versatile material for decoration. It is thin and relatively light and can be dyed or printed in many different colors. Common types of paper that exist for aesthetic reasons include: wallpaper, wrapping paper, and tissue paper.
• Filtering: Filter paper is used widely, from chemistry laboratories to coffee houses. Filter paper can be made to have a well-controlled pore size while still being relatively cheap. It is therefore an important consumable in many industrial activities.

Can Paper Be Used in 3D Printing?

Yes, paper can be used in 3D printing! Essentially, layers of paper (laminations) are glued together, with each layer being cut in the desired shape for that layer. Colors can even be printed onto each layer of paper, as with a traditional 2D printer. The completed object is then a series of sheets of paper glued together, making a 3D shape, but with the added element of a full range of possible colors on the surface. 

There are two key processes for 3D printing with paper: laminated object manufacturing (LOM) and selective deposition lamination (SDL). The basic process for each is similar (as described above), but SDL allows more intricate constructions and uses less adhesive. In SDL, the glue is only applied to the areas that form the completed model, making it easier to remove the support material as unglued sheets around the model.

To learn more, see our full guide on How 3D Printers Work .

What 3D-Printed Products Can Be Made Using Paper?

Paper 3D printing is particularly useful for creating models with a wide range of colors, as the CMYK ink system can be applied to get a huge range of colors onto the model surface. Images can therefore be printed together with the model, to provide a more aesthetic and visually accurate model. It is therefore useful for items such as: architectural models, educational models, geospatial contour maps, and marketing items.

To learn more, see our full guide on Products to Print .

This article presented paper, explained it, and discussed its history and characteristics. To learn more about paper, contact a Xometry representative .

Xometry provides a wide range of manufacturing capabilities and other value-added services for all of your prototyping and production needs. Visit our website to learn more or to request a free, no-obligation quote .

The content appearing on this webpage is for informational purposes only. Xometry makes no representation or warranty of any kind, be it expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or validity of the information. Any performance parameters, geometric tolerances, specific design features, quality and types of materials, or processes should not be inferred to represent what will be delivered by third-party suppliers or manufacturers through Xometry’s network. Buyers seeking quotes for parts are responsible for defining the specific requirements for those parts. Please refer to our terms and conditions for more information.

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