Sighhh... Self-Publishers Should Choose What Color Paper?

This is a quick one. I have belonged to PODpublishing@groups.io (formerly a yahoo group) for ages and every once in a while I pick up something that I didn't know before from one of their many experts. Aaron Shephard, a children's author who also writes books for authors--especially self-publishing authors--is one of my favorites. 

One of our publishers was concerned about matching paper color (he prefers cream) on a book he is publishing with Ingram as well as Amazon's KDP and that wasn't going so well. Aaron's advice was short and sweet and contains two very specific things to think about when choosing the paper you use for a book:

He says, "Ingram offers #70 stock for color, which is thicker than their cream. Anyway, I don't think you should ever use cream for color printing, because you're automatically reducing your contrast."

And this is the part I should have known, but didn't. Self publishing authors, especially those printing images in color, should choose the whitest paper available. 

And this! A general rule for paper color. "Cream paper is meant for text only, usually fiction and general nonfiction"

Thank you, Aaron. Thank you PODpublishing! 

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER

 Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers including the multi award-winning The Frugal Book Promoter (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), now offered in its third edition by Modern History Press. She is also the author of" How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically." She has two booklets in the that series, both in their second editions from Modern History Press. "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "The Great First Impression Book Proposal" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII). Both are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book.

 "The Frugal Editor" (https://bit.ly/FrugalEditor), recently released in its third edition, is the winningest book in the series. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it help them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow her for news on her new releases direct from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.