This study investigated characteristics of paper for old book printing such as paper types and materials, chemical aspects of paper making process, and thickness and physical property of book paper, by combining literature analyses and scientific methods.Paper was made of materials such as plants with tough skin, bark of tree, gramineae grasses, seed grasses and silk yarm. Fibers with long and thin properties on average were treated as an ideal material for paper. In the process of boil treatment, pure fiberoid materials were elicited and elements harmful for cellulose were eliminated by adding limewater and caustic soda. The process of pounding treatment enhanced flexibility and plasticity of fiber, helping obtain solid paper. Surface treatment and internal treatment lowered absorptiveness, and increased evenness, smoothness, whiteness, uniformity and opacity, enhancing writing effect and printing adaptability. Paper mulberry paper, mulberry paper and rice straw paper were often used as materials for book paper, because they were easy to obtain and manufacture, and had good quality. Paper mulberry paper as book paper was solid, glossy, heavy, thick, and durable. Rice straw paper was even, adhesive, and absorptive, although not solid. Mulberry paper had long and thick fiber, enhancing adhesiveness and solidness, which is appropriate for making thick paper. Hemp paper was considered an ideal material for book paper, because its fiber was soft, solid, fine, and resistant to absorptiveness. Paper mulberry paper and mulberry paper had physical properties appropriate for printing and accordingly, were used for printing the most. The fiber of bamboo was not good for printing, and considered as poor material for book paper. The thickness of book paper enabled us to obtain good printing quality by improving solidness and printing efficiency.