Print On Demand (POD) allows publishers to produce a single copy of a book. Because digital printing has very low setup costs (as opposed offset printing) printing a single copy or just a few copies can be economically feasible.
The most well known use of POD is Amazon – the world’s largest book retailer – who only print a copy of the book once it is ‘demanded’ or ordered through their online book shop.. See the Get the book link at australianauthorsstore.com
While print on demand is feasible for just one copy, offset printing usually requires the printing of over 500 copies of a book. With this quantity, set-up costs are spread over the 500 copies.
While Print on demand provides excellent economic opportunity to self-publishers or indie publishers, there are limitations in terms of book sizes, paper types and embellishments.
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