Print On Demand

Self-Publishing for Beginners: Part I




Getting Started



Print on Demand or POD is changing the way we publish. It is a fantastic new method of printing which is opening publishing up to previously unknown authors. POD is precisely what it sounds like, the ability to print one or a hundred books. Print what you need, when you need it.



In every industry there are those who produce and those who pay for production. Print-On-Demand is a very simple change, which is a step in the right direction. It is one method of self-publishing a book.


Printing



Print-on-demand or POD is a printing technology and business process in which new copies of a book or other document also allows for books to be printed in a variety of formats. This technology enables publishers to print both paperback and hardcover books "on demand".



Print-On-Demand is fast, cost effective printing, with short runs included (25-500 copies). It is simply printing from a digital file, a book, or magazine only when it is needed and in the quantity needed making low volume, low risk, low cost publishing feasible.



POD is a great option for family historians looking to print a few books for their family, or to set up an option for relatives to order their own copies. Another plus is the speed with which your book gets from digital manuscript to printed book.



On demand book printing methods require no up-front printing costs. Print-on-demand is not conducive to allowing returns.

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This is the first in a series of posts on Self-Publishing or Print-On-Demand. Be sure to return for the next installment.

What would you like to know about self-publishing?

© 2009 by Leona G. Shankle