For those who do not understand the difference between print-on-demand (POD) and traditional publishing, allow me to clarify:
Printing Methods
Traditional Publishing uses offset printing presses, which involves plates, film and ink. In other words, printers take a camera-read copy of the book and imprint the content on paper using plates. After the initial set up of the press, the cost per unit is reduced the most books printed. This is because once the press is running literally the only additional costs incurred are the paper and ink. That’s why is is better to have a larger press run.
The biggest obstacle for most self-publishing authors is cost. You may have to pay several thousand dollars upfront and since you will have all the books in your possession, you will need to store your merchandise as well as fulfill each order as it comes in.
Print on Demand (POD) Publishing does not require film or plates for printing. POD uses a higher speed direct-to-image electrostatic process. When someone orders a book, it is printed and shopped to the customer. The retail price has to be high enough to cover the cost of printing and allow both the publisher and author to obtain a profit.
To the average eye, a POD book looks fine. What you are really comparing is toner based printing versus offset press printing (ink). The advantage to POD printing is no upfront costs are required until the book is sold. Fees vary depending upon the publisher or printer and what they offer.
POD
“Print on demand (POD) is a printing technology and business process in which new copies of a book (or other document) are not printed until an order has been received, which means books can be printed one at a time. – Wikipedia ”
POD has been predicted as the principal means by which most books are distributed. However, if you compare cost/unit you may think traditional offset is the “better deal.” Compare a 5,000 offset print run of a typical novel, which may cost $.50 per copy, to a POD print of the same book, which may cost up to $5.00 per copy.
While the printing costs are vastly different, the supply chain (ie/ freight, wastage, storage) is eliminated with a POD run. With less overhead costs, a POD book can be sold for far less than a traditional offset book.
Bookstores and POD
Currently, many bookstores do not accept POD books due to the expense and many are not refundable. Another reason is many POD books are poorly edited and designed.
Warning
There are POD publishers who will publish anything that is submitted and publish it exactly as it is presented providing minimal or no editing, thus making the author responsible for what the finished product looks like.
POD publishers also know that less than one percent of all manuscripts submitted to publishers are accepted. This has brought out a slew of unscrupulous POD publishers who prey on naïve authors knowing these writers are willing to pay money to see their work in print.
Fortunately, not all POD publishers are unethical. However, it is very important that you do your homework. Never sign a contract with any printer without reading the fine print. Once you sign that contract, you may have released control of your manuscript to them.
Suzanne,
Great description of the process. As you mentioned, there are different service groups out there. Some companies have packages for everything. Others specialize in parts of the publishing process. It is important to be wary of all the charges and what you get for that.
Dave Sheets
Snowfall Press
david.sheets@snowfallpress.com
David,
The key is to know what you are looking for and what the costs will be upfront. Some companies give the basics and then “upsell”. Before diving into publishing of any kind, read the ‘fine print.” ;)
Suz
Hey there, nice post. Peecho is another POD service that is comparable to the ones you mention.
Also for POD and bookstores, the Expresso Book Machine might change the game.
Gale,
thank you for the information. I have looked at their site and they appear to do an excellent job, as well as being a part of the Amazon Web Services network.
Suz