Bible Paper

Bible Paper

There are multiple components that make up every Bible—a cover, binding, typesetting, etc. Bible paper plays an essential, yet sometimes underappreciated, role in the reading experience. For example, the type of paper chosen has an impact on the thickness of the Bible and the show-through of each page.

The following guide summarizes the various paper options to ensure clarity in the Bible selection process.

Key Terms

Opacity: The transparency of the page, measured by how much light shines through each sheet and utilizes a numerical rating system from 70 (higher transparency) to 90 (lower transparency).

Show-through: The degree to which print shows through on the opposite side of a page (often referred to as ghosting).

PPI (pages per inch): A measurement of the number of pages in an inch of paper (utilizing a numerical rating of 800–1,600).

Formation: The degree to which the pulp and fibers of the paper are evenly dispersed in the page. The more evenly dispersed the fibers are throughout the page improves the opacity across the whole sheet, which greatly reduces show-through.

Lignin: An organic substance found in plant cell walls which serves as a fortifying substance within the paper, acting as a glue that binds fibers together.

Titanium Dioxide: The most widely used white pigment added to Bible paper to increase its brightness and opacity, owing to its high refractive index

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Coating: A polymer that is added to the paper to increase its opacity and allow printed ink to sit on top of the page, enhancing clarity and readability

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Common Types of Bible Paper

There are two main categories of Bible paper:

Groundwood

  • Oatmeal-colored
  • Most commonly used choice for books and newspapers because of its low production cost
  • The lignin in groundwood paper begins to deteriorate when exposed to air and sunlight, causing the paper to yellow and become brittle
  • Typically a thicker paper (low PPI), which means it has high opacity
  • Commonly used in economy Bible editions

Free sheet

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