Research Project on ¨Bible Paper¨

Hello to you all. My name is Mike and I´m investigating the possibilities of printing on ¨Bible Paper¨. I´ve discovered bible paper is technically referred to as a ¨Light weight offset paper¨and it is obviously capable of taking print but how?.
How do you print of Bible paper? Is bible paper capable of taking a 4 colour print on both sides? Are there any similar types of paper which are capable of this.
My wish is to print 4 colour images on both sides of a sheet of paper which weighs as little as 40gsm.
I am trying to find a english speaking source of information about Bible Paper.

 

There are a few papers that have been used for this application. One is parchment paper, although it is rarely used, more so for highend special edition type Bibles. It is typically a thicker paper, which makes the size of the book rather unwieldy.

The second paper that is most used is referred to as "oninon skin" in most printing circles. It is usually a lightweight bond paper which is made from chemical wood pulp or 25% to 100% cotton-content. Standard sheet size is 17"x22" and comes in 8 or 9lb basis weight. This one is typically used for very small Bibles and very rarely has 4 color, if at all due eto the papers thickness.

The third paper is Lightweight paper which actually used to be called "Bible paper". It comes in a basic size of 25"x38" and has a basis weight of 17 - 40 lb. This paper will allow you to print in 4-color.

There is more information in the " Encyclopedia of Graphic Communication" on Bible printing if you are interested.

 

Thanks very much Paul. I still have a little time to include the likes of Onion Paper into the project. Thanks for the advice and also the tip about the Encyclopedia.

Mike

 

Mike,
Before retiring from the printing industry, I worked for a company that printed many specialty books that included Bible reproductions. We used a 40# offset on most copy and the 4/c was printed on 50# (heavier depending on coverage & application) those pages were tipped into the correct pagination of the book in finishing process. Occasionally 40# had 4/c print but, never with heavy coverage.