Print on demand is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot online. You’ll often hear it in conversations about side hustles, online shops, T-shirt sellers, or creators printing mugs and tote bags.
Because of that, many writers don’t immediately realize that print on demand for authors is already a huge part of the publishing world. If you’ve ever published a paperback through Amazon KDP or another self-publishing platform, you’ve already used print on demand, even if you didn’t know the term for it. Your book wasn’t printed in advance or stored in a warehouse. It was printed only after a reader placed an order.
That’s print on demand.
The problem is that while many authors use POD indirectly, very few are actually familiar with the term print on demand itself. Others have heard it mentioned but don’t fully understand what it means, how it works, or how it can be used.
This post breaks it all down clearly. We’ll look at what print on demand actually is, why it matters to authors, the main ways writers use it, and the benefits and challenges you should consider before relying on it.
What Is Print on Demand?
Print on demand (often shortened to POD) is a printing and fulfillment method where a book is printed only after an order is placed.
Instead of printing hundreds or thousands of copies in advance, the book exists as a digital file until a reader buys it. Once that happens, the book is printed, packaged, and shipped to the buyer.
The basic process looks like this:
- You upload your book files (interior and cover) to a print-on-demand service or platform.
- A reader places an order.
- The book is printed as a single copy (or small batch).
- The book is shipped directly to the reader.
There’s no need to predict demand, store inventory, or pay upfront printing costs. Each copy is produced as needed. This is what makes print on demand fundamentally different from traditional bulk printing, where authors or publishers pay for large print runs and store books until they’re sold.
What Does Print on Demand Have to Do With Authors?
Print on demand publishing became popular because it solved several long-standing problems at once.
Before POD was widely available, authors often had to choose between paying large sums upfront to print books in bulk, or convincing a traditional publisher to take on that risk for them.
POD changed that. It lowered the barriers to self-publishing and made print on demand publishing a natural thing for modern self-publishing.
For authors, print on demand makes it possible to:
- Publish print books without large upfront costs
- Offer physical copies alongside eBooks
- Sell books globally without managing shipping logistics
- Keep books available long-term without reprinting
Print on demand isn’t solely about the printing of the book, but actually how the book gets to the reader from the author.
5 Powerful Ways Authors Can Use Print on Demand
Print on demand isn’t limited to one use case. Authors use it in different ways. Here are five of the most common and practical ways authors use print on demand today.
1. Selling Through Marketplaces
This is the most familiar use of print on demand for authors.
When you upload your book to online retailers like Amazon or Barnes & Noble, the platform prints and ships each copy as readers place orders. You don’t handle inventory, packaging, or delivery.
From the author’s perspective, this is the most hands-off approach to selling print books. Everything runs in the background. The platform manages production and fulfillment, while you focus on writing and marketing.
For many authors, especially first-time self-publishers, this is their introduction to POD, even if they don’t think of it in those terms.
2. Integrating POD Services With Your Own Store
Authors who sell directly to readers can connect book-focused POD services like Lulu Direct to their own websites or online stores. When a reader orders a print book from the author’s site, the order is automatically sent to the POD service, which prints and ships the book on the author’s behalf.
This allows authors to sell print books directly without storing inventory or manually fulfilling orders. It’s particularly useful for writers who want to build closer relationships with readers while still keeping fulfillment automated.
If you are interested in selling print books directly to readers, I talk more about this in my blog posts: 5 methods to sell print books to readers and 15+ storefront and website builders to sell books to readers.
3. Offering Special or Limited Editions
Print on demand can also be used creatively. Instead of relying on POD only for standard editions, authors can create special or limited versions of their books, such as exclusive covers or special editions, that are printed only when ordered.
Because POD doesn’t require bulk printing, authors can experiment without financial risk. This works well for launches, anniversaries, or special reader campaigns.
4. Creating Merchandise Related to Your Book
Print on demand isn’t only for books. Authors can use POD services to create merchandise tied to their work, such as mugs, T-shirts, bookmarks, posters, or art prints featuring quotes or artwork from their books.
This gives readers another way to engage with the world of the book and allows authors to extend their creative work beyond the page. Merchandise can complement book sales or help create buzz around book releases.
5. Providing Companion Materials
For nonfiction authors and even poets, print on demand can be used to create companion materials that support the main book.
Examples include:
- Workbooks
- Journals
- Guided notebooks
- Planners or writing prompts
These materials can be sold alongside the main book or separately. Because they’re printed on demand, authors can update or refine them over time without reprinting large batches.
Benefits of Print on Demand for Authors
Print on demand offers several advantages that make it appealing to writers at different stages of their careers.
Some of the key benefits include:
- No inventory to manage: Books are printed only when ordered.
- Lower upfront costs: No need to pay for bulk printing in advance.
- Reduced financial risk: Unsold inventory isn’t a concern.
- Global reach: POD services can ship internationally.
- Flexibility: Easy to experiment with formats, editions, and products.
- Long-term availability: Books don’t go “out of stock.”
For many authors, these benefits make POD an accessible and sustainable option.
Challenges and Limitations of Print on Demand
Despite its advantages, and how print on demand works for authors, it isn’t perfect.
Some of the common challenges authors encounter include:
- Higher per-unit costs: POD books often cost more per copy than bulk-printed books.
- Lower profit margins: Due to the higher printing costs and also, marketplace fees (if selling on online bookstores).
- Limited control over print quality: Inconsistent print quality across regions. Also, having to work within the constraints of a provider’s standard options.
- Fewer premium options: Works best for standard books and may not be able to deliver the customization you’re looking for.
- Slower fulfillment in some regions: Fulfillment can take longer than shipping from pre-printed stock, as books are printed after an order is placed.
Final Thoughts
Print on demand is a tool that can help authors publish affordably, experiment creatively, and reach readers without heavy logistics. But like any tool, its value depends on how it is used. Understanding these limitations helps authors use POD realistically rather than expecting it to solve every publishing problem.
