pehmeäkantinen

Pehmeäkantinen is a Finnish bibliographic term used to designate a book bound with a flexible paper cover, commonly known in English as a paperback or softcover. It contrasts with kovakantinen, the hardcover binding. The term is used in bibliographies, catalogs, and consumer labeling to indicate format rather than content.

The binding is typically perfect binding: the pages are held together by glue along the spine, and the soft cover, made from thick paper or lightweight cardboard, is glued to the spine. The cover is usually printed and may be folded to form a wrap around the pages. Spines are flexible and can show the title and author; with heavy use they may crack or crease.

Pehmeäkantinen editions are generally cheaper to produce and lighter to carry, which makes them popular for mass-market fiction, non-fiction, educational books, and travel guides. They are more economical for publishers and buyers, and allow wider distribution, especially for large print runs. However, they tend to be less durable than kovakantinen editions and can show wear more quickly.

In libraries and book catalogs, the format is often noted to help users select preferred editions. The term is used across Finnish publishing and is widely understood to indicate a paperback edition rather than content or typography.