Becoming a published author is now more accessible than ever, regardless of whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting. Print-on-demand (POD) book printing offers a practical and budget-friendly route to self-publish your work rapidly. This guide explores ten leading on-demand book services, detailing their production times, publishing options, and extra features to assist you in selecting the perfect partner for your writing journey.
Why Opt for POD Book Printing?
Pod Book Printing is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced authors due to its simplicity and efficiency. Armed with your manuscript and some fundamental design software skills, you can create professional-quality paperbacks or elegant hardcover editions. These books can then be sold on various marketplaces or directly from your own website.
The primary advantage of print on demand is the elimination of substantial upfront inventory costs often linked with self-publishing. Instead of investing in large quantities of books and hoping they sell, books are printed only as orders are placed and shipped directly to your customers.
If you’ve already cultivated an audience, POD book printing provides a seamless way to sell books to your social media followers or through your email marketing list.
Top 10 Print-on-Demand Book Printing Services Compared
Discover this curated list of print-on-demand book printing services to identify the ideal solution for your book, magazine, or booklet. Insights are provided by content writer Braveen Kumar.
1. Lulu Direct
Five books of varying sizes, including a ring-bound book, hardcovers, and paperback.
Lulu Direct: A variety of book formats available for print on demand, including hardcover, paperback and ring-bound books.
Production time: 3–5 days
Minimum order: None
Available formats: Hardcovers, paperbacks, comic books, magazines, ebooks
Lulu Direct excels in print-on-demand self-publishing, allowing you to print and sell books directly through your own online store while retaining all revenue.
They offer a wide array of book formats, encompassing hardcover and paperback options, black and white or color printing, and diverse paper choices. Binding options are extensive, including perfect bound, coil, saddle stitch, hardcover case wrap, and hardcover linen with dust jacket.
Braveen Kumar chose Lulu Direct for self-publishing his poetry due to its attractive profit margins. His book, priced at $20, had a printing cost of $3 and a shipping cost of $9.
Lulu Direct also facilitated Braveen’s sales through his Shopify store, aligning with his brand building strategy and sales of other merchandise. By linking his store with Instagram, he could tag his book in social media posts, enabling customers to purchase directly while browsing.
2. BookBaby
Five colorful book covers of varying sizes displayed side by side.
BookBaby: A selection of vibrant and colorful book covers printed using print-on-demand services.
Production time: 3–5 days for orders under 500 books
Minimum order: 25 books
Available formats: Perfect bound, paperback, hardback, ebooks, audiobooks
BookBaby provides both black and white and full-color printing choices for paperback and hardcover books, in addition to digital publishing services. They also produce audiobooks using AI voices, featuring 60 narrators across 96 languages and dialects.
BookBaby enables you to publish your print-on-demand book on major platforms such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and various wholesale distributors. They also offer professional editing services, including line editing, proofreading, and synopsis writing to enhance your book’s quality.
3. IngramSpark
IngramSpark: Example of high-quality color print-on-demand for books, showcasing detailed imagery.
Production time: Custom quote required
Minimum order: None
Available formats: Paperback, hardcover (with dust jacket), ebooks
IngramSpark delivers extensive customization for self-publishing. You can specify detailed aspects like book size, paper type, finish (matte or glossy), paper color, paper weight, and cover materials, including a premium textured hardcover cloth.
IngramSpark’s standout feature is its expansive distribution network. It connects authors with over 40,000 independent bookstores, chain stores, and libraries, significantly increasing your book’s visibility to potential readers.
While IngramSpark is praised for its print quality, some users note that its costs can be higher compared to alternative print-on-demand book printing services.
4. Blurb
A bright yellow book cover in front of an open book showing a poem.
Blurb: A creatively designed yellow book cover produced with print-on-demand, featuring interior poetry.
Production time: 4–5 business days for printing and binding
Minimum order: None
Available formats: Trade books, magazines, notebooks, photo books, ebooks
Blurb offers a specialized print-on-demand service focused on quality and market reach. They provide a broad selection of paper types and proprietary design software to assist in formatting your book to meet industry standards.
If your goal is widespread market distribution, Blurb’s integrated bookstore and vast network of retailers can be highly advantageous. Retailers can directly order and stock your books through Blurb’s efficient system.
Blurb’s compatibility with Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and InDesign simplifies the design submission and formatting process. Although there’s no direct Shopify app, you can easily link customers from your Shopify store to Blurb to finalize their orders.
5. Acutrack
A cartoon-style book cover for a book called Herizon featuring a flowered hot air balloon.
Acutrack: A whimsically illustrated book cover demonstrating print-on-demand capabilities for children’s books or journals.
Production time: Most orders ship within one business day (books are pre-produced and warehoused)
Minimum order: 50 books
Available formats: Paperback, hardcover, spiral bound, journals, coloring books
Acutrack functions as a comprehensive book printing and fulfillment service. They pre-print and warehouse your books, ensuring rapid fulfillment upon order placement. Their format versatility accommodates a wide range of book types, from large coffee-table books to children’s books.
With a dedicated Shopify app and integrations with over 100 ecommerce platforms, Acutrack delivers real-time shipping and tracking updates. Customer reviews frequently highlight their responsive support and swift fulfillment times, making them a reliable option for pod book printing.
6. Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Five eye-catching book covers in dark colors, the top book titled An Innocent Client.
Kindle Direct Publishing: Professionally printed book covers using Amazon’s print-on-demand service.
Production time: 1–3 days
Minimum order: None
Available formats: Paperback, hardcover, ebook, ebook series
If Amazon is your primary sales channel, Kindle Direct Publishing provides a streamlined service for printing and shipping your books. KDP offers both digital and print publishing with direct access to the vast Amazon Kindle store.
Listing your books is free, with Amazon taking a commission on each sale. While KDP doesn’t support magazines or spiral-bound notebooks, it’s an excellent option for converting existing books into Amazon-compatible ebooks or paperbacks to maximize visibility and sales.
7. Barnes & Noble Press
A collage of eight book covers in various colors and styles, with a book open in the center.
Barnes & Noble Press: A diverse collection of book covers produced through their print-on-demand services.
Production time: 5–10 business days, depending on book type
Minimum order: None
Available formats: Paperback, hardcover (with dust jacket)
Barnes & Noble Press enables you to create, publish, and monitor sales of your books in multiple formats. Your book becomes accessible to readers on BN.com and through NOOK devices, extending your market reach.
This platform is suitable for diverse publishing needs, from individual books to large print-on-demand paperback runs, offering versatility for authors at any stage.
8. Contrado
Hands holding an open book showing an image of buildings and flowers.
Contrado: A beautifully printed book with vivid imagery, showcasing the quality of print-on-demand for photo books.
Production time: 1–3 business days
Minimum order: None
Available formats: Scrapbooks, portfolios, notebooks, guest books, photo albums
Contrado’s Shopify app offers a wide array of print-on-demand products, including various paper and stationery items.
While they don’t specialize in traditional hardcover books, you can design and create custom notebooks, address books, and photo books. Contrado also supports artists by providing a platform to sell their artwork on printed products.
They offer domestic and international shipping within three to five business days, with shipping rates varying by destination. Students can also benefit from special discounts.
9. Gelato
An open book showing a family laughing and smiling at an outdoor party.
Gelato: A heartwarming photo book example, printed on demand, perfect for personal and family projects.
Production time: 3-4 days
Minimum order: None
Available formats: Photo books, notebooks
Gelato partners with over 50 manufacturers across 70+ global locations, ensuring efficient and localized production. They offer fast, flat-rate shipping with cost savings for bulk orders.
Although traditional book printing isn’t available, Gelato is ideal for creating high-quality photo books, notebooks, and calendars. Gelato also extends its services to print-on-demand shirts, apparel, mugs, and other branded merchandise, assisting authors in expanding their product offerings.
10. Printify
A purple ring-bound notebook titled Mood next to an open page and pencil.
Printify: A custom designed notebook using print-on-demand, showcasing options for journals and personalized stationery.
Production time: 2– 7 business days
Minimum order: None
Available formats: Notebooks, custom journals
Printify’s Shopify app specializes in print-on-demand notebooks and journals. Their extensive product catalog and established fulfillment network are well-suited for growing brands. The platform synchronizes with your Shopify store, providing real-time sales and order analytics.
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The Advantages of Print on Demand for Books
Simple to Get Started
Print-on-demand book printing services utilize a just-in-time manufacturing model. Most providers only print books when an order is placed. This significantly reduces the risk and expense of pre-purchasing inventory before confirming sales.
Automated Order Fulfillment
POD services manage the entire order fulfillment process—from receiving orders and packaging books to arranging shipping. This automation saves you considerable time and resources, especially beneficial for authors who are just beginning their self-publishing journey.
Expanded Retail Access
Services like Blurb and IngramSpark have direct partnerships with wholesalers and booksellers, simplifying the process of getting your books stocked in retail stores. These connections are invaluable for reaching a broader readership through traditional retail channels.
Cost-Effective Pricing
Print-on-demand is particularly advantageous for smaller print runs, whether for local communities or niche markets. Most services offer competitive pricing and quality control options, such as ordering proofs, copyediting, and proofreading to ensure professional quality.
Adaptable and Flexible
Print-on-demand offers the flexibility to quickly update your book design based on reader feedback. From cover revisions to page layout adjustments, you can easily modify your book. Starting with a small print run and scaling production as your audience grows is a practical approach with POD.
Selecting the Right POD Book Printing Service
If you’re finding it challenging to choose among print-on-demand book publishers, this guide provides key considerations to help make your decision easier.
1. Evaluate Their Processes
Timely delivery is crucial for reader satisfaction. Prioritize services that offer efficient printing and delivery. Consider their packing and shipping times and their partnerships with shipping providers. For global reach, ensure the service supports international orders at reasonable costs.
Consider these additional factors in their self-publishing process:
- What binding and cover options are available?
- Do they offer proof copies or samples before full print runs?
- Review exclusivity clauses to understand if you can distribute through multiple channels simultaneously.
2. Assess Costs
Print-on-demand services employ varied payment structures. Some are free to start but take a percentage of sales, while others might have upfront fees but allow you to retain more profit per book. Evaluate your budget and select a model that aligns with your financial strategy.
3. Scalability and Growth Potential
Every author aspires for their book to succeed. Choose a print-on-demand service that can scale with increasing sales volumes. Look for services that provide real-time sales data to monitor performance and manage inventory effectively.
Also, consider future product expansions. If you plan to offer ebooks or audiobooks, selecting a service that supports these formats can streamline your operations and product diversification.
4. Reputation and Industry Connections
For bookstore distribution, opt for a service with established retailer networks. Research self-published author testimonials, reviews, and case studies to gauge service quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring a reliable partnership.
POD Book Printing vs. Traditional Publishing
Bypass Gatekeepers
Print on demand eliminates the traditional publishing house as the intermediary controlling what gets published. While this grants creative independence, it also means your work won’t automatically undergo professional editorial reviews.
To maintain quality, you can independently hire freelance editors or utilize editing services offered by providers like BookBaby.
Pricing Control
Self-publishing via POD allows you to set your own book prices. While print-on-demand services may take a commission, you determine the retail price and your profit margins, offering significant control over your earnings.
Selling through your online store gives you direct pricing control. When selling to retailers, offering wholesale discounts (typically 40%–60%) is necessary to allow bookstores to apply their standard markup.
Channel Selection Flexibility
POD gives you distribution freedom. Instead of a publisher dictating sales channels, you can sell directly to readers through your online store or collaborate with retailers and wholesalers. Many POD services have built-in distribution networks to help expand your reach.
Marketing Strategies for Print-on-Demand Books
Effective marketing is as crucial as content quality in self-publishing. Without traditional publisher support, marketing responsibility rests with you. Here are essential strategies to get started.
Building Your Author Platform
Your author platform is your foundational marketing presence where readers discover you and your books. Building an effective platform doesn’t require advanced technical skills. Key components include:
- Website: A simple, well-organized website with essential information about your books and author profile. Include an About page, a blog for updates or behind-the-scenes content, and direct purchase options or retailer links.
- Email List: Engage website visitors to join your email list by offering valuable incentives like free chapters or relevant resources related to your book’s theme.
- Author Branding: Define your unique author identity—be it your writing style, genre expertise, or personal story—and maintain consistent branding across all platform elements.
Leveraging Social Media for Promotion
Social media enables direct reader engagement and broadens your reach to potential buyers. Select platforms based on your target audience—Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook? TikTok has recently emerged as a successful platform for authors, especially for reaching younger demographics.
Optimize your social media presence with these strategies:
- Authenticity and Consistency: Share diverse content beyond just book promotions. Include personal insights, writing process details, or book inspirations. Regular posting builds audience anticipation.
- Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, pose questions, and participate in genre-specific conversations. Increased interaction fosters reader connection and strengthens support for your work.
- Promotional Campaigns: Implement targeted ads or host giveaways to expand your reach. Even modest budgets for Facebook or Instagram ads can effectively target potential readers interested in your book.
Share Your Words Globally with POD Book Printing
Reaching readers no longer requires a traditional publisher. POD book printing provides a cost-effective avenue to share your writing and develop a profitable author business. Utilizing a Shopify store, you gain access to tools and apps designed to sell books and expand your readership.
Integrate POD services like Lulu Direct with your Shopify store to automate book printing and shipping when orders are placed. Manage all operations from a centralized dashboard and offer multiple formats—paperback, hardcover, or digital—to cater to diverse reader preferences.
Start building your dream online bookstore today and join successful online stores using Shopify’s robust tools and features. With a high-conversion checkout process, Shopify stores enhance sales, reduce costs, and save valuable time.
Further Reading
Print-on-Demand Books: Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum order quantity for POD book printing?
Minimum order requirements vary by service provider. Some may require minimums for operational efficiency, while others allow single-book printing. Always verify each service’s policies before making a decision.
Can I sell my POD book on multiple platforms?
Yes, you can list your print-on-demand book across multiple platforms to maximize reader reach. However, review the terms and conditions of each platform, as some may have exclusivity requirements.
What is considered the best print-on-demand site for books?
Shopify is highly effective for selling print-on-demand books. By integrating compatible POD apps into your Shopify store, you can seamlessly print and sell your books.
Does Amazon offer print-on-demand book services?
Yes, Kindle Direct Publishing provides print-on-demand services for both physical and digital books through Amazon.
What are the typical costs for print-on-demand book printing?
Most POD services have minimal upfront costs. Fulfillment and self-publishing expenses are typically deducted from your sales revenue. Costs vary depending on the provider and your book’s retail price and specifications.
Is print on demand still a profitable business model?
Print on demand allows you to start with minimal initial investment and scale as demand increases. Profitability depends on factors such as your pricing strategy, marketing effectiveness, and the quality of your product.
Can I sell print-on-demand books internationally?
Most POD services offer global shipping and distribution options. You can sell directly to international customers through your online store or utilize services that connect with global wholesaler networks to broaden your market reach.
