---
title: "Paperback | Printing glossary | IN TEMPO"
description: "A book with a flexible card cover, attached to the text block by glue or sewing. The opposite of a hardback, which has rigid boards."
url: "https://www.intempo.fr/en/glossaire/format-broche/"
lang: "en"
---

[Back to the glossary](https://www.intempo.fr/en/glossaire/)

# Paperback

Also called Softcover, softback

A book with a flexible card cover, attached to the text block by glue or sewing. The opposite of a hardback, which has rigid boards.

![Three books in cross-section: two paperbacks, whose flexible cover is a single sheet of card, without flaps then with flaps, and a hardback, with rigid boards.](https://www.intempo.fr/diagrammes/en/paperback-or-hardback.png)

A paperback, with or without flaps, and a hardback, in cross-section. Diagram: IN TEMPO, licence [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en). [Reuse this diagram](https://www.intempo.fr/en/reutiliser-nos-schemas/)

## In practice

Lighter, cheaper and quicker to make than a hardback. The decision comes early because it changes the cover itself: a single sheet of card, with or without flaps, whose stiffness decides how the book holds up. For a thick book or one meant to last, ask to handle a paperback in the same trim size before you choose.

## Related terms

- [Hardback](https://www.intempo.fr/en/glossaire/couverture-cartonnee/)
- [Perfect binding](https://www.intempo.fr/en/glossaire/dos-carre-colle/)
- [Flaps](https://www.intempo.fr/en/glossaire/rabats/)

## Frequently asked

[Paperback or hardback?](https://www.intempo.fr/en/questions-frequentes/#livre-broche-ou-relie) [Mass-market paperback or paperback?](https://www.intempo.fr/en/questions-frequentes/#livre-poche-ou-broche)

## Need us? We are here to help.

We want to know exactly what you need so that we can propose the right solution. Tell us what you are looking for and we will do our best to help.

[Get in touch →](https://www.intempo.fr/en/contact/)