If you have a collection of old paperback books lying around, you might wonder if they can be used for book folding instead of hardcovers. While it is technically possible to fold a paperback, hardcovers are the gold standard for several structural reasons.
Why Hardcovers Dominate
The thick, rigid boards of a hardcover serve as built-in bookends. When you stand a folded hardcover upright, the covers hold their shape, compressing the page block and keeping the folds tight and visible. Hardcovers also feature stronger sewn bindings that can withstand the tension of hundreds of folds.
The Paperback Problem
Paperbacks lack rigid covers. As you fold pages, the paperback spine will warp and curve, causing the book to tilt and fall over. The glued bindings of modern paperbacks are also prone to snapping when pages are bent backward. Save paperbacks for rolled-page crafts or paper flowers!