Paper take an important role in the children's book printing industry. Correctly selecting paper and improving paper quality are the primary strategies for improving book quality and save much cost.

Current status of paper selection for children's books

At present, children's book printing often uses coated paper, offset paper, coated one side paper, white cardboard. Lightweight paper and recycled paper that are increasingly recognized by the publishing industry. Children's book, according to different reader's age, different content. It can divide into cognitive books, toy books and other children's enlightenment books, popular science encyclopedia books, game puzzle books, picture story books, children's literature books, children's literature books, etc. Different categories of children's books need different paper quality and binding design.

For 0-3 age of enlightenment book of young children. Such as various of cognitive books, toy books, which take an important role in the development and enlightenment of children's early literacy. Such of book with dynamic shape, beautiful color, supervisual impact, combine the book content and features of the toy. It makes the book is no longer a carrier of culture and reading. But incorporates more interactive elements. Such types of children's book becomes the carrier of cultural enlightenment education in line. With the characteristics of children's love to move, touch, listen and experience, so that children can't put it down.

To increase 3D sense and visual impact in this type of children's book. Often use thick coated paper, white cardboard, gray board, coated one side paper, etc. Such of book with less content and heavy weight.

For 3-7 age of children, the book type like popular science encyclopedia books, game puzzle books, picture books and story books. To highlight express the content and highly restore the color of the picture, often with coated paper. Because the surface of coated paper is smooth, good whiteness, high color performance. It is suitable for displaying many pictures, and the printed color content is relatively bright.

But use coated paper to print such of children's book is heavy and inconvenient to carry. Lacks cultural atmosphere and sense of history, and the printing cost is expensive. Because of the bright paper quality, when reading under the light. It is partially reflective, and the reading experience is not good. Which is not conducive to children's vision health. The paper is dense and does not absorb ink; the surface is smooth, and it is not easier to write.

For 7-9 age and 9-14 age of children's literature books, the cover is often with special paper and coated paper. Inner page often with offset paper. Because offset paper is smooth and white, with little stretch ability and high surface strength. Such of book in heavy weight and not convenient to carry and read.

How to select paper and save cost for children's book printing

For printing children's books such as children's literature books with a lot of texts. The content use recycled paper is low cost, eye-friendly, and environmentally friendly. Rather than high-cost special paper.

For children's enlightenment books printing, like board book, pop up book, etc. Using recycled cardboard instead of white cardboard, thick cardboard, and thick coated paper. It can reduce costs and weight, killing two birds with one stone.

From the view of reading experience, like popular science encyclopedia books, game puzzle books, picture books and story books. In Nordic countries that value environmental protection, offset paper has replaced coated paper. This is not only because of offset paper non-reflective, eye protection. And because there is more blank space in this type of book format. Children can create on offset paper according to their own preferences and use their personal imagination. Which is of great benefit to cultivate children's imagination, creativity and hands-on practical ability. Besides, the cost of offset paper is cheaper than coated paper, which can save more printing cost.