A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: Thinking through Print on Demand (POD)
It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.
This week we discuss print on demand (POD). What are the advantages? Disadvantages? Who does it? Should you?
📦 Print-on-Demand: Freedom, Friction, and the Fine Print
Print-on-demand (POD) is the indie author’s secret weapon—and sometimes, their surprise nemesis. It’s the promise of publishing without pallets, of reaching readers without warehouses. But like all tools, it works best when you understand its edges.
🟢 The Advantages
- No upfront printing costs. You don’t have to guess how many books you’ll sell. POD lets you print one copy at a time, only when someone orders it.
- No inventory management. No boxes in the garage. No shipping labels. The printer handles fulfillment, often with global reach.
- Easy updates. Found a typo? Changed your bio? You can upload a new file and future copies will reflect the change.
- Wide distribution. Services like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark plug your book into major retail channels, including libraries and bookstores (if you opt in).
- Low barrier to entry. You don’t need a publishing deal or a bulk budget. You just need a finished manuscript and a cover.
🔴 The Disadvantages
- Higher per-unit cost. POD is more expensive per copy than offset printing, which means lower margins—especially if you want to sell at competitive prices.
- Limited customization. Fancy finishes, textured paper, foil stamping? Not available. POD books tend to look and feel more utilitarian.
- Variable quality. Most POD printers do a solid job, but color consistency, binding durability, and trim accuracy can vary between batches.
- Retail resistance. Some bookstores hesitate to stock POD titles, especially if they’re non-returnable or lack traditional distribution support.
- Shipping delays. While POD is fast, it’s not instant. Readers may wait longer than they would for a mass-market title.
🏢 Do Big Publishers Use POD?
Yes—but strategically. The Big Five and other traditional publishers typically use offset printing for initial releases, especially when they expect high volume. But they increasingly rely on POD for:
- Backlist titles. Books that sell slowly but steadily over time.
- Out-of-print revivals. Older titles brought back without committing to a full run.
- Special editions or niche markets. Academic texts, regional books, or limited-interest titles.
In short, POD is part of the publishing ecosystem—it’s just not the star player for frontlist bestsellers.
🧭 What It Means for Indie Authors
POD is a powerful tool for reaching readers without financial risk. It’s ideal for testing the waters, building a catalog, and staying agile. But if you’re planning a launch with bookstore events, bulk sales, or premium design, you may want to explore offset printing or hybrid models.
Think of POD as your reliable bicycle: it’ll get you far, especially when you’re starting out. But if you’re planning a cross-country tour—or a red carpet debut—you might want to upgrade your ride.The Tuesday talks reflect real discussions between the management of MSI Press LLC and our own authors or those would-be authors who come through our doors but don't make the cut--yet. If you have a topic that you would like addressed, leave the question in the comment section. Chances are, in our 22 years of publishing first-time and experiences authors, we have had a conversation with one of our authors that we can share with you.
See more Publisher Conversations with Authors HERE.
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