Print on Demand vs.
Short-Run Book Printing

Book Printer Options

There are three different ways to get your book printed. You can Print on demand, print a short-run of books, or have them printed offset. If you are looking to print books and keep the cost low, your most cost-effective option is either print on demand or short-run book printing. Unlike traditional offset printing where you have to print a minimum of a few thousand books, print on demand and short-run book printing allows you to print as few as one book at a time. If you want high quality customized books while keeping the quantity and cost low, we recommend printing a smaller quantity of at least 25 books with short-run book printing. If you are simply looking to get your book online or print only one book and looking for standard paper/book options, Print on demand is a good option. Here is a comparison of the three book printer options:

Offset Book Printing

Offset Printing is the oldest style of book printing out of the three options. Offset differs from POD and short-run printers as it allows mass-printing of thousands to tens of thousands of books in record time. This is done by creating metal plates of each book “signature” with ink applied on it, that is then transferred on a rubber blanket cylinder. The rubber cylinder is then rolled onto large sheets of paper creating thousands of copies efficiently.

Most best-selling authors have their books printed offset, generally overseas, for the overall low-cost to print larger quantities needed. However, the initial upfront cost for offset printing can be cost-prohibitive for self-publishers and authors as the cost to make the plates and other materials can be expensive if you plan to print a few thousand books at most. For first time authors, POD and short-run book printing is usually the best option.

Print On Demand (POD) Book Printing

Print on demand, or POD printing, is a relatively new form of publishing/book printing. Before a POD book is bought, it doesn't actually exist. Once a book is purchased on a print on demand platform, it is then processed as an order, sent to a machine that usually does printing, binding, and trimming all at once with little to no human interaction. The book is then packaged and shipped directly to the buyer.

Print on demand printing can offer a cost-effective option for first time authors. POD is usually paired with a publishing platform such as Amazon KDP, Blurb, or IngramSpark. Most of the time with POD platforms, you choose a selling price and you recieve royalties based on the sales. Some companies will not charge a fee to list your book but these platforms will often take a larger portion of the profit meaning it can be hard for you to make much income off of selling your book. Amazon KDP, for example, offers a 60% royalty rate of the profit. However, they will also subtract the printing and materials costs which may leave you with a very little royalty.

The quality of Print on Demand books are usable but are not what you would consider high quality. Since it is usually almost completely all automated with little to no human interaction, there are usually minimal quality checks for each book. You will most likely see a variation of printing especially in color when you order books that use POD printing. Most POD platforms offer limited custom features, sizes, and paper. This allows them to print one book at a time easily and keep costs lower. In summary POD is a great option for cost-effective book printing but you will get what you pay for. If you are looking for custom options and high quality books, you may want to look at short-run book printing options instead.

How Much Can You Make with POD Publishing?

The amount you can make with print-on-demand (POD) depends on several factors, including your book’s price, the platform you use, your marketing efforts, and how well your book resonates with readers. However, here’s a breakdown of the main financial considerations:

1. Royalty Per Sale

POD platforms like Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark, and Lulu allow authors to set their own prices for physical copies of their books. However, the platform takes a portion of each sale to cover printing and distribution costs. Typically, your royalty per sale is calculated as follows:

• Printing Costs: The cost of printing your book depends on its length, dimensions, and the type of paper. For example, a standard paperback with a 200-page black-and-white interior could cost around $3 to $5 to print. Hardcover editions or color-printed books will have higher printing costs.
• Royalty Percentage: After subtracting the printing cost, the platform takes a percentage of the sale. For example, on Amazon KDP, authors typically earn 60% of the list price for paperbacks sold via Amazon, minus printing costs. So if your book is priced at $15 and the printing cost is $4, your royalty would be about $6.60 per sale.

2. Sales Volume

While your per-sale royalty can be a decent source of income, how much you make depends largely on how many copies of your book you can sell. POD doesn’t require upfront costs for printing large quantities of books, but you’ll need to drive sales through marketing, word-of-mouth, and exposure. Some authors make a few hundred dollars from their POD books, while others can earn significantly more if their books gain traction.

• Niche Market: If you’re writing for a specific niche with a dedicated audience, you might sell a smaller number of books, but your books can become a consistent source of income.
• Mass Market Appeal: For those who write for broader audiences, sales can potentially be higher, but it requires more intensive marketing strategies and a larger platform.

Above is a chart showing your estimated royalties when printing with Amazon KDP. The prices listed are for a 6x9, 100 page paperback in black & white. If you were to sell this book for $10, Amazon KDP would collect 60% royalities in addition to a $2.30 printing charge. Your profit then would be $3.70 per book sale, or roughly 37% of the sale price.

How Much Does it Cost to Print a Book with
Short-Run Book Printing?

With short-run book printing the cost all depends on your customized book and your quantity. Gorham Printing is a short-run book printer that you can print as little as 25 books or all the way up to 5000 books at a time. This allows you to print only the books you need or restock your inventory as needed.

Below is a quick price for printing a book in several different binding styles using standard white 60lb interior paper and standard cover options. If you prefer customized book options, use our Online Pricing Tool to get a price instantly for your exact books pages, size, and even customized features!

Pros and Cons of POD Book Printing vs Short-run Printing

When considering options for printing a book, both short-run printing and print-on-demand (POD) have their own advantages and drawbacks. Each option suits different types of projects and business models, so understanding the pros and cons of each can help you decide which is best for your book.

When is Short-Run Printing Best?

Choose short-run printing if you have a clear idea of your sales volume, want lower per-unit costs for larger quantities, and have the ability to manage inventory or distribute books yourself. It's ideal for authors who want to create a high-quality physical product, plan to sell at events, and have the budget to handle the upfront costs. You'll also have more customization options and higher quality control during printing for authors who want something special to help their book stand out from the competition.

When is Print on Demand Best?

Choose Print-on-Demand if you prefer a low-risk, no-upfront-cost option with a built-in distribution platform. POD is better suited for authors with smaller initial audiences, those testing the market, or those who don’t want to handle inventory management. It’s also a great option for digital-first authors looking for a flexible and scalable solution.

Marketing Your Print On Demand
or Short-Run Book

Marketing a self-published book requires a blend of traditional marketing principles and online strategies. The first step is identifying your target audience. Who are the readers most likely to enjoy your book? By understanding your audience, you can select spaces and channels where you will reach more engaged readers. Social media, for example, has become one of the easiest and quickest ways to reach potential readers. Consider platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to share insights, teasers, and behind-the-scenes content that showcases your book's personality. Engage with relevant communities, such as book clubs or genre-specific groups, to create word-of-mouth buzz.

Once you've found your audience, you'll want to start creating content to establish your brand as an author. A blog or website can serve as a hub for sharing articles, interviews, and updates about your book and your writing journey. This not only helps with SEO (Search Engine Optimization) but also gives readers more reasons to connect with you beyond just purchasing your book. Offer free content, such as short stories, excerpts, or downloadable resources, to entice potential readers.

Additionally, writing guest posts for other blogs or collaborating with influencers and bloggers in your genre can help extend your reach. Collect reviews from early readers or bloggers to build excitement and encourage others to take a chance on your book.

Finally, consider paid advertising and promotions to amplify your book's visibility. Platforms like Facebook Ads or Google Ads can target specific demographics and interests, increasing the chances of attracting the right readers. Participating in promotional events such as virtual book tours, giveaways, or author interviews on podcasts can also provide valuable exposure. Don’t overlook the power of traditional marketing, such as reaching out to local bookstores, libraries, or book fairs to arrange readings or signings.

Marketing your self-published book requires persistence, creativity, and a willingness to experiment, but with consistent effort, you can successfully build an audience and achieve your goals.

Gorham Printing Standing Out in
a Print On Demand World

At Gorham Printing, we believe in giving you the best quality books with customized options. We can print as little as 25 books at a time. We do not print only 1 book as we do not have a machine that just spits out a finished book like print on demand printing. We take great care and look at each stage of the book process from the files, to printing, lamination, trimming, and binding. We are your book craftsman. Printing with Gorham Printing allows you to keep all the control as the publisher and owner of the book. You can take your books and sell them at bookstores, Amazon, back of the room sales, your own website, or even on your Booksite page. It is up to you!

We've been printing books since 1976 and have worked with authors of all genres and budgets. Our collection of custom materials and options makes us an ideal printer for authors who want unique, high-quality books. When you print with Gorham Printing, you'll be working directly with a team of designers and print experts who will be reviewing your book's quality along every step of its journey.

Print On Demand Book Printing Companies

We would love to print your book but understand sometimes you might not be ready to print 25 books. Even though we cannot help you set up accounts with other companies, we want to help you any way we can. So here is our Print on Demand Book Printing company recommendations:

Amazon KDP: We have several clients who start with Amazon KDP and then print bulk orders of 25 or more with us. This gives them the best of both worlds, having their book listed on Amazon with the Print On Demand printing and customized high quality books printed with us.

Barnes and Noble Publishing: Everyone knows B&N is one of the best brick and mortar bookstores in the USA. They offer publishing services that include print on demand printing. There are some costs depending on what options you choose.

Lulu Publishing: Very similar to Amazon KDP, Lulu will act as your publisher. We have clients who have printed with them but it does require you to sign a publishing contract (they will technically own some of the rights to your book). Make sure to read the fine print!