POD vs. Offset Printing: Getting Your Books into the Hands of Readers
What's the difference between print-on-demand and print runs, and what's the best route to take as a debut indie author?
Finishing your manuscript (and let’s not forget the revising and rounds of editing and proofing) is only the first mountain. The next is figuring out how to bring that book to life in physical form. Should you choose the hands-off convenience of Print on Demand (POD), or go all-in with a bulk print run (offset printing) and stock the books yourself? Both options come with trade-offs, such as financial, logistical, and creative, and the right choice depends on your goals and resources.
Print on Demand Defined
Print on Demand is exactly what it sounds like: your book only gets printed when a reader orders a copy. You upload your files to a service like Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, or IngramSpark, and when someone clicks “buy,” the printer produces and ships that single book.
POD uses digital printing technology with digital files that are stored and printed as orders come in. This means physical printing plates aren’t required.
For authors, this means there’s no stack of boxes sitting in the garage and no upfront investment in hundreds of copies you’re not sure you can sell.
Allie’s Tip: Test your debut book with POD first. It allows you to gauge real reader demand without risking a big financial commitment.
Why Authors Love POD
It’s budget-friendly. Your profit margin is higher when considering that you get your full profit when you don’t have to deal with the hassle of shipping and handling, as the printer handles that.
Any quantity can be ordered. As a debut indie author, it can be difficult to know exactly how well (or not well) your book will sell right out of the gate. The ability to order any quantity of physical books can allow you to store some at home and have them available for marketing events.
Your reach goes global. POD platforms often have print hubs in multiple countries, meaning a reader in London can get your book as quickly as someone in New York.
You can move fast. POD makes it possible to hit “publish” and see your book live in just days. Need to correct a typo or swap in a new cover? Upload the new file and you’re done.
No storage, no shipping headaches. You never have to lug boxes to the post office or worry about water-damaged stock in your basement—unless you actually want to, of course.
Allie’s Tip: Pair POD with e-book distribution. Together, they give you maximum reach at minimal cost, especially early in your career.
The Trade-Offs of POD
The price per book is higher. Because each copy is printed individually, your profit margin is slimmer. Either you raise the price, or you accept less income per sale.
Limited bells and whistles. Special finishes, heavier paper, or collector-style details are rarely available. POD is about efficiency, not luxury.
Quality can vary. While POD printing has improved, color consistency and binding aren’t always as sharp as offset printing.
Bookstores may say no. Many retailers prefer returnable inventory and higher-end finishes, which POD doesn’t always provide.
Allie’s Tip: If your dream is to get into bookstores, plan to add a print run later if you think there’s enough demand—or publish through IngramSpark instead of relying only on KDP.
What About Offset Printing?
A print run is the traditional route: you decide on a quantity—say 500 copies—pay the printer upfront, and take delivery of all those books at once. From there, it’s up to you to sell, store, and ship them.
What makes offset printing or print runs different from POD is that printing plates are used to print large quantities at once, which means offset printing has a lower cost per unit. This makes it more cost-effective for bulk orders. Durability between the two is comparable, as similar paper and binding are used for both offset printing and POD.
Think of it as buying wholesale—you pay more upfront but less per unit.
Allie’s Tip: Don’t guess. Research your genre’s sales patterns and start with a realistic print run (200–300 copies) instead of jumping into the thousands. Be sure to put out feelers in your marketing for what the demand will be for your book, as you won’t want to store hundreds of books that aren’t selling.
Why Authors Choose Print Runs
Lower cost per copy. Printing in bulk makes each book much cheaper, giving you bigger profit margins down the line.
Higher production quality. Offset printers offer premium paper, vibrant colors, embossing, foil, and other finishes POD can’t touch.
Better for bookstores. Shops are far more likely to stock books that look and feel polished, and that can be ordered in bulk.
Great for events (if you plan on doing more than a few). If you’re planning a launch party, book fair, or signing, having stock on hand is invaluable. Signed copies can also become an extra revenue stream.
Allie’s Tip: Print runs shine for special editions—think sprayed edges, foil, or hardcovers. Use them to create collector’s items your readers will love. Invest in some bookish goodies like custom bookmarks, stickers, etc. to add to the fun.
The Drawbacks of Print Runs
Steep upfront investment. You’ll need to pay for the entire run before you sell a single copy. For a new author, this can feel like a gamble.
Storage problems. Five hundred books take up more space than you think. Unless you have a spare room, you’ll be navigating stacks of boxes.
Logistics on you. Every sale you make outside of a bookstore means packing and mailing books yourself—or paying someone else to handle fulfillment
Slower timeline. From setup to delivery, print runs take weeks, not days. If you’re eager to launch quickly, that’s a consideration.
Allie’s Tip: All costs need to be considered if you’re going to do a print run, including the cost of packaging supplies, shipping costs, and the time you have to invest to do it all on your own. And if you work a 9-to-5 like me, that doesn’t always leave a lot of time for doing what you love most: writing. (Let’s face it, I don’t know anyone who actually likes marketing.)
POD vs. Print Runs at a Glance
POD:
Low upfront cost
Higher cost per book, which can mean lower profit margin
Limited customization
Easy global reach
Fast printing times
Little storage needed compared to offset printing
Offset Printing:
Higher upfront cost
Lower cost per book
Premium finishes typically available
Stores may be more apt to stock
Longer lead time
Requires storage & logistics
Is There a Middle Ground?
Fortunately, there is a middle ground, and many indie authors use it. A hybrid approach allows you to combine the best of both worlds:
Launch with a small print run to have stock for signings, PR packages, and local bookstores, especially if you want to have special editions with details like foil or sprayed edges.
Keep your book available long-term through POD so readers can order it anytime without you needing to manage inventory.
Or, on the flip side, start with POD and get a feel for demand. If things start to pick up, consider adding a print run for marketing events.
Allie’s Marketing Tip: Use your print run copies for marketing impact, such as book signings, giveaways, and influencer packages, while POD handles everyday online sales. For the book signing at my local Barnes & Noble in Greenville in June, I reached out to them directly. Some stores will have a dedicated staff for event planning, and it definitely doesn’t hurt to simply go into a local bookstore and ask about doing an event!
Your Publishing Path Forward
There’s no one “right” answer, just the path that matches your budget, audience, and ambitions. If you’re testing the waters or want a no-stress way to keep your book available indefinitely, POD is a safe bet. If you’re confident in demand, planning events, or aiming to wow bookstores, a print run can level up your professional presentation.
And remember: whichever you choose, printing is just one part of the journey. Marketing, networking, and building a readership are what truly bring your story to life. Whether you’re shipping from your garage or letting POD handle it all, the most important thing is that your book finds its way into the right hands.
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