What is Print-on-Demand Publishing?

The best quality method of printing to date—whether black-and-white or color—is traditional offset lithography. This method of printing color illustrations, developed at the end of the 18^thcentury, became the basis for high-speed printing today. Inked images are transferred (offset) from a plate to a rubberized blanket, then to the printing surface. This technology is sharp and accurate. It’s also the best way to gain cost benefits on longer print runs, and it’s the best for quality where images, photos, and full-color reproductions are concerned.

The biggest drawback to offset lithography is the expense: make-ready and setup, printing plates, inks, and wash-ups all take time and money. To receive the cost benefits (ie: profit), the minimum print run required would be between 500-1000 copies. Depending on the page count of your book, that may represent a substantial outlay of cash and inventory storage space for a book whose sales potential is unknown. In addition, most traditional offset printing companies do not typically offer distribution and sales for self-publishers, so you would also need to find a distribution or sales company to handle these functions for your book or set up a structure to inventory, sell, and invoice book sales on your own.

Digital Printing with Print-on-Demand

Digital print-on-demand (POD) printing differs from offset lithography in many ways. It is not only a different technology, but also a different production model altogether. The main benefit of this method is that you can print one book at a time. Beyond a modest first-time setup charge, the unit cost for each book will be the same, whether you print 50 or 500 books. In addition, books are printed only when orders are placed, so there is no inventory to store, and there are no returns.

Despite the lowered risks and expense, two other important issues must be considered if you choose to print your book using digital technology. The first issue is quality, and the second is profit. The word among users of POD full-color printing is: “The quality is not there…yet.” Digital inks and toners are different from those used in offset lithography, and the way they are transferred to paper is also different—resulting in less color brilliance and crispness. That said, simple, black-and-white books are the best candidates for POD, and new color technology is developing rapidly. 

Usually, one of the biggest challenges for self-publishers is getting their books into distribution channels. Through most POD vendors these days, your book is automatically listed with Amazon.com and other online retailers, as well as being made available to traditional bookstores. POD is a good solution to reduce big cash outlays, and the responsibility of maintaining inventory and overhead on a product whose sales potential is unknown. Plus, you get the added help with online listings.

Royalty Calculators

One of the most important elements to examine on POD author sites is the royalty calculator. Authors must reasonably set a competitive cover price. The calculator then figures the POD’s share of profit and your author royalties. These POD companies make their money on layout and design and printing services—and they profit on each book sold, no matter who buys it, including you. To guarantee their profit, POD companies assign and limit the wholesale discount—which dictates your share of royalties.

In an effort to expand their services, some of the sites are adding deals where authors can upload final files for free or at lower costs. The terminology and services are changing and expanding as of this writing, and will continue to evolve along with the technology and growth in the market. The important listings to look for are: how you will submit your files and what services you need to buy to get them print-ready, whether you can choose your wholesale discount (or the POD assigns it) and what kind of marketing or distribution listings you receive in your contract.

The important listings to look for are:

1. How you will submit your files and what prepress services (design and formatting) you need to buy to get them print-ready
2. Whether you can choose your wholesale discount (or the POD assigns it)
3. Who owns the final files and the ISBN
4. What kind of marketing or distribution listings you receive in your contract, and who else can sell your book.

If you plan your production in advance, create a detailed book budget, and research the top POD sites, you’ll have total confidence in the success of your self-published book.

If you’re not sure if your book is a good idea, or you don’t have a clear plan, download my FREE GUIDE. 

If you want guidance and help creating a plan, schedule a FREE DISCOVERY CALL with me to see how I can help. 

Plan for Success!

Lindsay