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What paper types are available for Photo Books?
albumworks offers a wide range of premium, archival-quality paper types for Photo Books, including Pemium Silk, Pearl, Photo Luster, and ultra-thick Layflat Paper papers — each carefully selected to enhance photo sharpness, page feel, and long-term durability.
You’ll notice we mention gsm a lot — it stands for grams per square metre and it basically measures how thick and sturdy the paper is. The higher the gsm, the thicker and more luxurious the page will feel. Just so you know, most photocopy paper is around 80gsm whereas our books start with a minimum of 150gsm going all the way up to 400gsm paper.
A guide to albumworks paper options
Classic Photo Books (Perfect Bound)
(Perfect Bound means the pages are glued together at the spine, just like a high-quality coffee table book you'd find at a bookstore.)
150gsm Premium Silk Paper
This is a beautiful all-rounder. It has a smooth, semi-gloss finish that makes colours pop without being too shiny. We love it for family albums, travel books, and everyday moments — it’s affordable but still feels really polished.190gsm Photo Pearl Paper
Slightly thicker with a gorgeous satin matte finish. It gives your photos a soft, elegant look, and it’s one of our top picks for weddings, milestone birthdays or any project where you want a more refined, professional vibe.260gsm Photo Luster Paper (used with Hi Colour printing)
Want your photos to really pop? This is your paper. It’s thicker, printed with 7-colour inks for amazing vibrancy, and is fingerprint-resistant too. If you’re making a premium gift or a showcase book, this is absolutely worth the upgrade.
Layflat Photo Books
(Layflat books open completely flat with no image loss in the centre.)
400gsm E-Photo Paper
These pages are seriously impressive. They’re heavy, lay completely flat, and feel ultra-premium in your hands. Choose from:
Lustre: for a slight sheen - great for dramatic landscapes shots
Matte: with no surface reflection - perfect for fine-art style books.
Both are water-resistant and dirt-repellent — and honestly, if you’re making a wedding album, a professional portfolio or a once-in-a-lifetime travel book, we think Layflat is the ultimate choice.
Softcover Photo Books
(Softcover books are perfect bound with a glossy cover, similar to a high end magazine..)
150gsm Sovereign Silk
Light, semi-glossy and super easy to flick through, this paper suits smaller books, fun gifts, or anything you want to keep light and portable.
No matter which you choose, all our papers are acid-free, so your memories stay vibrant and beautiful for years to come.
Need help choosing?
You can explore all the options on our Photo Books page or contact our friendly Customer Service team. We can also send free paper samples to help you choose the perfect fit.