Selling print books directly to readers is a very different conversation from selling eBooks. With print books, you’re no longer dealing only with files and downloads. You’re thinking about physical inventory, shipping, fulfillment and packaging. For many authors, this is where things start to feel complicated, and there’s that assumption that there’s only one way to do it.
Usually, that assumption looks like this: I’d have to print books, store them, and ship everything myself.
That’s only one option. In reality, there are multiple ways authors sell print books directly to readers, ranging from fully hands-on to largely automated. Each method comes with different costs, levels of control, and time commitments. The right choice depends on your goals, your time, and how involved you want to be.
This post walks through five realistic methods authors actually use, so you can choose what system will work you.
If you are also considering selling eBooks directly, you can read my post on 5 ways to sell eBooks directly to readers. I also have a post on the pros and cons of direct books sales, if you are still unsure whether selling directly is a good idea.
Method #1: In-Person Print Book Sales
In-person selling is the most personal way to sell print books without platforms.
This happens at:
- Book launches
- Poetry readings and literary events
- Workshops, conferences, or festivals
- Pop-up stalls or temporary store setups
You print and bring a stack of books, set up a table or booth, and interact face-to-face. The exchange is simple: a reader meets you, buys your book, and leaves with it in hand.
This method of direct print book sales works so well because it’s built on immediate trust. Readers get to connect with you, hear your work, ask questions, and purchase in the same moment. There’s no shipping, no waiting, and no fulfillment complexity.
Pros
- Instant payment
- No shipping or delivery issues
- Strong reader connection
- Full control over pricing
Cons
- Requires physical presence
- Sales depend on events or appearances
- Not scalable year-round for most authors
Best for
- Poets and spoken-word artists
- Authors who speak, teach, or perform
- Writers with access to local literary spaces
Method #2: Bulk Printing, Inventory, and Manual Shipping
This is another hands-on method (but with a website or online storefront), and the one many authors imagine first. With this route, you print a batch of books through a press like IngramSpark (bulk printing service), or a local printer, store them yourself (at home or in storage), sell the book through your website, and package and ship orders manually as they come in.
You manage everything: packaging, branding, shipping labels, customer emails, and postage. It’s a hands-on approach, but it gives you more control over every part of the reader experience, from print quality to packaging.
Bulk printing also helps reduce the print cost per book, making your profit margins bigger.
Pros:
- High profit margins per book sold
- Full control over packaging, inserts, and quality of books received by reader
- Ideal for signed copies, special editions or exclusive drops
Cons:
- Requires upfront investment for bulk printing
- You need space to store inventory
- Time-consuming to pack and ship every order
- Shipping international orders can be complex
Best for
- Authors with steady demand
- Writers selling premium or signed copies
- Authors comfortable managing logistics
Method #3: Integrated Print-on-Demand (Automated Fulfillment)
As we look at how to sell print books as an author, there is one method that is quite commonly used today, which involves integrating a 3rd party print-on-demand book printing service into your already existing or newly built website. This method keeps your website as the sales hub (like the previous method) but with automation of the steps you would have done on your own.
If you want to avoid holding inventory, Print-on-Demand (POD) integration may be your best option. POD integration means you do not have to print books in bulk and store them somewhere. Once an order comes in, it is automatically transferred to the integrated POD book service. That particular book order is printed, packaged and shipped to the reader on your behalf and in your name.
This can be easily done if you have a Shopify store, a WordPress site with Woocommerce or Wix. The integration is done through plugins or apps within the website building platform or dashboard. Print-on-Demand book services that can be integrated with the mentioned websites are Bookvault and Lulu Direct. Bookvault also integrates with Payhip, which is an online store builder mainly for digital products (but allows you to sell physical products too).
Pros
- No upfront printing costs
- No storage required
- Scales easily as demand grows
- Works well for international sales
Cons
- Lower profit margins than bulk printing
- Limited control over product quality, packaging and delivery experience
- May not be a good option for signed copies
Best for
- Authors who want automation
- Writers selling internationally
- Authors balancing writing with other commitments
Method #4: Built-In Print-on-Demand Storefronts
Some authors prefer not to build or manage a complex website, and would rather prefer a simple storefront. Built-in POD storefronts offer ready-made online stores with print-on-demand already integrated. You upload your book, customize your store within the platform’s limits, and start selling print books directly. Printing and shipping are handled automatically.
Books.by is a platform that allows you to build a simple online bookstore, and sell print books directly to readers with print-on-demand already integrated within your bookstore. This platform was created specifically for authors to make direct print book sales very simple.
Pros
- Fast setup
- No complex website building and no use of plugins
- Everything handled in one dashboard
- Minimal technical learning
Cons
- Limited branding and customization
- Platform dependency
Best for
- Authors who want simplicity
- Writers testing direct print sales
- Creators who don’t want to manage tech
Method #5: Manual Order Forwarding to a Print Provider
This last method sits between automation and manual fulfillment. This method involves collecting orders manually, then forwarding them one by one to a printer like IngramSpark, Draft2Digital or other printers that allow single book orders.
This may not be a commonly known fact, but Draft2Digital (like IngramSpark) actually allows you to order and ship as little as one book at a time. They call it their print-on-demand service, but they currently don’t have that integration feature (that allows integration with self-owned websites) and can’t automate orders from your website. They just allow single and bulk printing (as and when you need it). This manual method of forwarding orders can be used with them if you published your book using Draft2Digital and want the direct sales option too.
You don’t hold inventory or handle shipping, but you do manage the customer interaction yourself. This can be done without having to own a full website or dealing with the tech associated with integrations. You can use a form on your link-in-bio site, or even take orders via email or social media DMs. When someone orders, you enter the details on the print provider’s site, and they ship the book to the reader.
However, the book packaging will show the print provider as the sender and not you, and that can be an issue if you don’t disclose this to the buyer before the purchase.
Pros
- No inventory required
- Useful for low-volume sales
- Easy way to test demand
Cons
- Manual coordination required
- Less personal branding
- Not ideal for high volume
- Less control over packaging and tracking
Best for
- Authors selling occasional print copies
- Writers experimenting with direct sales
- Low-volume sellers
How to Choose the Right Method for You
Selling print books without platforms like Amazon is possible as mentioned earlier. Bulk printing and manual shipping isn’t the only method available, as we used to think. Choosing the best option for you should be based on:
- Budget: Can you afford bulk printing, or do you need POD?
- Time: How much involvement can you realistically handle?
- Audience size: Are you selling dozens or hundreds of copies?
- Control vs convenience: Do you value branding or simplicity more?
You can actually start with one method (the most convenient for you) and transition to another as demand and other factors change.
