As with most industries, technological advancements have brought about new opportunities and efficiencies for authors. There used to be only one option for printing books which required a large order quantity, a substantial up-front investment, and inventory management. Today, there are two printing methods available to authors: print-on-demand and traditional offset printing. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages, and determining the right choice for your book will depend on your publishing goals, skillset, budget, and sales expectations.
Print-on-demand (POD) is a digital printing method in which books are printed individually or in small quantities only after an order is placed by a customer. Rather than printing thousands of copies upfront, a POD provider stores your book files digitally and produces copies as needed. Once an order is received through a retailer, distributor, or the author's website, the printing company manufactures the book and ships it directly to the customer. Because books are only produced when ordered, there is no need to maintain a warehouse or garage full of inventory. This model has become increasingly popular among self-published authors because it eliminates many of the financial barriers traditionally associated with publishing, and the process is simple:
1. The author or company they are working with uploads the print-ready interior and cover files2. The files are stored digitally by the POD provider3. A customer purchases the book4. The book is printed, bound, and shipped directly to the customer5. The author receives royalties from the sale
Popular POD platforms include Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark, Lulu, and Bookvault. There are many benefits associated with using a POD provider or platform to print books. These include:
Low Upfront Costs: One of the biggest advantages of POD is the minimal financial investment required. Many POD platforms do not require a fee to upload the book’s files for printing, but will take a percentage of every sale. POD can be a great strategy for first-time authors, niche titles, and experimental projects.
No Inventory Risk: With POD, there is no excess inventory to store and manage. Books are produced only when customers order them.
Simplified Distribution: Some POD platforms integrate directly with major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores through distribution networks. This allows authors to make their books available worldwide without managing fulfillment themselves.
Flexibility for Updates and Revisions: POD makes it easy to fix a typo or update interior content. Authors can upload the revised files (sometimes for a small fee), and future copies will be printed with the corrections.
Long-Term Availability: Many traditionally published books eventually go out of print because maintaining inventory becomes unprofitable. POD allows books to remain available indefinitely with little ongoing costs.
There are some drawbacks associated with using a print-on-demand provider or platform including:
Higher Cost Per Book: While POD requires little upfront investment, the per-book printing cost is significantly higher than with offset printing. This means authors earn less profit on each sale.
Limited Printing Options: Although POD quality has improved substantially over time, authors may encounter limitations in paper choices, trim sizes, specialty finishes, binding styles, and premium features like printed or sprayed edges.
Slightly Lower Color Print Quality: Modern POD books are professional and acceptable for most readers and booksellers. However, offset printing still tends to offer superior color printing due to the premium paper offerings.
File Preparation and Uploading: Platforms like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark do have a learning curve when it comes to properly preparing your interior and cover files for printing and uploading. It may be necessary to hire a book designer or cover designer to ensure your files meet all platform and industry requirements, or work with a company that can assist you with the process.
Not Ideal for Larger Orders: Bookstores and wholesalers sometimes prefer offset-printed books because large quantities can be stocked and shipped immediately. POD books may also have lower wholesale discounts, making them less attractive.
Also known as lithography, offset printing has been around since the 1400s when Johannes Gutenberg set up his first printing press. Rather than printing books one at a time, traditional offset printing uses metal plates that transfer ink onto paper. These large printing presses can produce hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of books in a single run. Because significant setup is required, offset printing becomes cost-effective only when printing larger quantities, starting around 1,000 – 1,500 books, but the cost per book can decrease substantially as the print quantity increases. Offset printing is the preferred method for traditional publishing houses for front-list titles due to the volume of books they produce. The offset process typically includes:
1. The author or publisher providing the print-ready interior and cover files2. Creating printing plates for each page3. Setting up the press4. Printing large sheets of paper5. Folding, binding, and trimming the books6. Shipping finished inventory to warehouses or distributors7. Royalties are paid to the author by their publisher
There are many benefits to using offset printing including:
Lower Cost Per Book: Offset printing’s greatest advantage is economy of scale. The more copies printed, the lower the cost per book. Authors and publishers planning to sell thousands of copies often achieve much higher profit margins through offset printing.
Superior Color Print Quality: Offset printing can deliver better color accuracy and richer images. This makes it particularly valuable for books containing a lot of photographs, artwork, or graphics.
More Customization Options: Offset printers often provide a wider range of production choices including specialty paper stocks, embossing, foil stamping, unique trim sizes, premium bindings, and premium features. These options can help create a more distinctive and professional product.
Better for Bulk Sales: Authors who sell books through speaking engagements, conferences, schools, organizations, or direct marketing campaigns may benefit from having inventory readily available at a lower per-book cost.
There are some drawbacks to offset printing including:
High Upfront Investment: Offset printing requires a significant financial commitment. Printers typically require a down payment (often 50%) to secure the order and cover the cost of raw materials and press setup, with the remaining balance due before shipment or upon delivery. This investment may be difficult to justify for new or untested projects.
Inventory Storage Requirements: In addition to printing costs, there are costs associated with storing the books and fulfilling orders. This may include warehouse space, self-storage units, and fulfillment and distribution services.
Risk of Unsold Books: One of the biggest risks of offset printing is overestimating demand. If sales fall short of expectations, publishers and authors may be left with hundreds or thousands of unsold copies.
No Flexibility for Updates and Revisions: Once the books are printed, errors cannot easily be fixed. Any changes or updates require a whole new print run, creating additional expenses.
For authors looking to print larger quantities of books, there are several offset printers that have strong reputations within the U.S. publishing industry. The best choice for your book will depend on your print quantity, book format, budget, and whether you need services such as warehousing, fulfillment, or distribution.
Sheridan: One of the most respected book manufacturers in the publishing industry and works extensively with university presses, trade publishers, scholarly publishers, and independent presses.
Lakeside: Widely regarded as the largest book producer in the United States. Manufactures hardcover and paperback books, and provides distribution, fulfillment, and publisher services. Many major trade publishers, educational publishers, and independent presses use Lakeside.
King Printing Co.: Established in 1978, King focuses on quality book printing and production, offering both digital and offset printing. In addition, King provides warehousing, inventory management, and kitting services.
PRC Book Printing: An offset book printing company with over 30 years of combined industry expertise, serving authors, publishers, and businesses nationwide. PRC specializes in delivering commercial-grade offset printing using industry-leading Heidelberg presses.
Color House Graphics: A leading print provider for over three decades. Offers solutions and support for soft cover books, hard cover books, children’s books, or high-end coffee table books in both short digital runs and larger offset runs.
Cushing Malloy: A family-owned print provider of short and medium runs with over 70 years of experience. A full-service book manufacturer, offering both offset and digital printing methods. Also specializes in bringing old, out-of-print books back to print.
For independent and self-published authors, POD offers the easiest and most affordable path to publication. The low startup costs, global distribution, and lack of inventory risk make it an excellent option for first-time authors and niche titles. For those authors working with a supported or assisted self-publishing company that offers packages of services, the company will likely have printing partnerships and will work with you on your printing options.
Offset printing becomes more attractive when authors have established demand, substantial preorders, speaking engagements, institutional sales, or a need for premium production quality. The lower per-book cost can significantly improve profitability when selling books in volume. Offset printing tends to make the most sense when you:
• Have significant preorder volume• Sell books at speaking events or conferences• Sell directly through your website• Need premium hardcover production• Want special finishes or features• Want higher profit margins per copy• Are printing heavily illustrated titles such as picture books, graphics novels, or cookbooks
Many authors will eventually use both methods to support their marketing and distribution efforts. They may rely on POD for online retail distribution while ordering offset print runs for events, direct sales, and special editions. For those authors pursuing a traditional publishing path, the publisher will manage the printing if you secure a book deal.
Ultimately, it is up to you how your work gets published, printed, and distributed. POD prioritizes flexibility and minimal risk, while offset printing prioritizes scale, customization, and profitability. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each approach, you can choose the printing strategy that best aligns with your publishing goals and long-term authorship. Understanding how these printing methods work can help you make informed decisions about production costs, book pricing, inventory management, book features, and profitability.
Photo credit: Christine_Kohler from Getty Images; Avalon_Studio from Getty Images; SeventyFour from Getty Images
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