POD not “publish on demand”
Print runs larger than 500 copies are typically more expensive than with traditional methods.
Small print runs are cheaper.
Allows for niche publications and reprints of out-of print materials
Technical setup is easier and cheaper.
Reduces the inventory
Ecological advantages:
Little waste in unsold products
Books distributed internationally can be printed locally.
Besides printing POD service providers care for
· Listing
· Distribution
· Ordering and handling of royalties
PRE 12 Print on demand publishers. Investigate and show good examples and bad examples
Lightning Source
https://www.lightningsource.com/
A subsidiary of Ingram Industries Inc.
BookSurge
By Amazon.com
Price example of POD for publishing with a service provider for 1 to 500 copies:
Setup Expenses with POP printer
· Digital cover file $50
· Digital Text file: $0.15 per page
244 * 0.15 = $31.60
Service
· Catalog Listing fees $12 per year
· Proof copy $30
Your own setup expenses
· ISBN# for 12 $269.95 $14.50
· Create bar code image $10
Total setup cost $ 163.10
Any Revision you do
· of the digital cover file $40
· of the digital test file $40
Every revision of the POD printer $80 per hour
Alternatively some POD service providers like provide you with full packages typically starting at about $500 ranging into the thousands. Some include basic copyediting, cover page production and layout.
Small Paperback, perfect bound, 6x9
Wholesale Cost
0.90 per unit
+ 0.013 per page * 244 = 3.17
= $4.07
This includes the Order Fulfillment
· Taking the order
· Packing
· Packaging
· Labeling
· (not shipping)
(not considering returns)
The publisher receives the wholesale price – cost
Problem: Standard trade discounts are 55%
List Price 19.95
Discount 55%
Wholesale Price 8.98
Print charge -4.07
Net compensation 4.91
Break even point
Setup $ 163.10 / Net compensation 4.91 = 34 copies
List Price $10
Wholesale $4.50
Print charge -4.07
Net compensation $0.43
Break even point at 380 copies
With a list price $9 you start to generate losses
There are some core properties that make POD different from traditional printing and more similar to ePublishing. I argue that, eventually POD has the possibility to merge the benefits of traditional publishing with the ones of ePublishing.
Question: What is the main advantage of traditional publishing?
Question: What is the main advantage of ePublishing?
The larger the coverage of POD printers and the more printers accept different sources of submissions, the more instant we can make the access.
Future Example: You receive the PDF file and forward it to your local copy shop where you can pick it up in 30 minutes.
Contemporary Example: how I send pictures to my 80 year old mom who does not use computers.
Using POD you still keep the drawback of traditional publishing: you use chemicals and paper. This adds cost and is not eco friendly.
POD is a hybrid that will stay as long as we do not have convenient displays that are break resistant and readable under direct sunlight.
These displays already exist and will be on the market within the next years.
Disclaimer: The documents linked to other sources on the WWW, others than http://www2.tltc.ttu.edu/Schneider2/ and its subdirectories, do not necessarily express the views of Texas Tech University, Université Paris X, or Dr. Schneider. @Copyright 2007 Dr. Andreas Schneider