FAQ - Print-On-Demand Publishing

Frequently Asked Questions, Con’t

A: New technology allows publishers to print commercially viable books one at a time. Traditionally publishers had to print and maintain an inventory of books to supply customers. This meant large dollar amounts in storage and inventory fees with no guarantee that the book would sell.

Now publishers create digital book files which a printer uses to produce a single book or thousands of books based on vendor orders.

Q: What is Print-On-Demand publishing?

Q: How does Print-On-Demand work for the customer?

A: A customer places an order with their favorite book vendor (i.e. Amazon.com or their local bookstore). The book vendor searches their distributors’ catalogs for the book printer and places the order. The book printer prints the book and drop ships it to the book vendor. Depending on the printer, the turn-around time can be anywhere from 24 hours to a couple of days. Then the book vendor provides the book to the customer.

Q: How does Print-on-Demand work for the publisher?

A: The publisher prepares the book as for any printing process (off-set or on-demand); completing rights acquisition, ISBN assignment, book design, layout, typesetting, proofing, and editing. The publisher then supplies either a digital file or a scan-ready hard copy of the book to a print-on-demand capable printing company. The printing company enters the book into its digital filing system and prints a final proofing copy for the publisher, if requested. Books are then printed when customers order them. For a fee, printers keep the book file active in their filing system and the book will appear in the distributors’ catalogs available for printing at any time.

Q: What are the advantages for the publisher?

1. No inventory of books to store.

2. No large costs sunk in inventory.

3. Shipping and distribution handled by the printer and distributor.

4. Can afford to keep books “in print”.

5. Turn-around time for printing is a matter of days rather than weeks.

Q: What are the advantages for the customer?

1. Fast order fulfillment for unique “small run” books.

2. Easy ordering and book fulfillment using book vendors you know.

3. Reasonable prices for “small run” books which would otherwise have to be of higher price in order to be commercially viable.

4. Books available which would otherwise not be.

Publishing