Softcover

Softcover, also called paperback or softback, is a book bound with a flexible paper-based cover. The pages are usually attached to the cover with a glue binding, known as perfect binding. The cover is printed on sturdy paper stock and folded around the pages, with the spine glued to hold the assembly. This contrasts with hardcover editions, which use rigid boards and a stiff outer cover.

Softcover editions are common for mass-market and trade publications. They offer lower production costs, lighter weight, and lower prices, making them popular in bookstores and libraries. Formats include trade paperback, which uses higher-quality paper and larger trim sizes, and mass-market paperback, which is smaller, cheaper to produce, and printed in large quantities.

Covers may be gloss or matte and can be laminated for durability. Interior pages are usually uncoated or lightly coated for readability. The binding is permanent but not as durable as a hardcover binding; the spine can crack with heavy use.

Softcovers became widely adopted in the 20th century as a cheaper alternative to hardcovers. The paperback revolution began in the 1930s with Penguin in the United Kingdom, followed by broader adoption worldwide.

See also: Hardcover, paperback, mass-market paperback, perfect binding.