Print on demand (POD) is simply a method of book production used as an alternative to, and increasingly in conjunction with more traditional offset printing methods. POD books are stored electronically and individually printed as they are ordered. Because Print on demand books can be produced quickly, inexpensively and at a premium quality, its use has gained wide acceptance among publishers and self-published authors like you.
ON DEMAND FAQS
Both offset printing and print-on-demand methods have their uses and determining which way to go should realistically depend more on your individual needs than anything else.
Offset printing your book in large quantities has a definite “economy of scale” advantage. Typically, this results in a much lower cost per book—The larger your print run, the larger your aggregate benefits. Unfortunately, those benefits usually come at a higher upfront cost. You’ll need to place an initial order for 500+ books to justify the initial set-up costs, and of course, you’ll need storage facilities to house all of those books and will need the means to fulfill book orders. Once you’ve established suitable demand for your book and can justify the investment, there’s no doubt that this is the road to greater profits.
Finally, there is the option of self-publishing with print-on-demand production. For many authors, it makes a great deal of sense to initially publish their book “on demand”. By first publishing it this way, your upfront costs are minimal and you can affordably “test market” your book to a large audience. Then you can easily make modifications to your manuscript or book cover based on those market results.
Your efforts will not go to waste.
Once you have established a track record with your book and have essentially “optimized” your book and its marketing effectiveness with only a few modifications, you can then initiate a large offset print run, more confident in the results.
If you can work it into your budget, there’s no question that it’s money well spent to have a professional design your book cover for you. While our templates will provide you with an acceptable appearance for your book, it’s difficult to make a unique statement or capture the “feel” and “tone” of your book with a general purpose template.
Our professional designs are unique and eye-catching with artwork tailored to accompany the themes and content of your book. We’ll provide your book with the quality cover it deserves and help the outside to reflect the compelling material within.
Aventine Press generally prices books we publish based on finished page count; however, we will consider cover pricing requests to accommodate special situations whenever possible. Our pricing reflects printing costs, the authors’ royalty and takes the booksellers trade discount into consideration.
Note: Other companies short discounts to booksellers to artificially “inflate” author royalties. We strongly discourage this practice. Our list prices reflect the customary 55% trade discount.
| BOOK SIZE | WORD COUNT | PAPERBACK | HARDCOVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| total page count | approximates | cover price | cover price |
| 108 – 200 pages | 30,000-56,000 | $10.95 – $12.95 | $22.95 – $25.95 |
| 204 – 300 pages | 56,000-80,000 | $13.95 – $16.95 | $26.95 – $28.95 |
| 304 – 400 pages | 80,000-110,000 | $17.95 – $20.95 | $29.95 – $31.95 |
| 404 – 500 pages | 110,000-140,000 | $21.95 – $23.95 | $32.95 – $35.95 |
Aventine Press can process and publish books with a total page count of 108 or more (roughly 30,000 words or more).
Authors may purchase copies of their own title, in any quantity directly from Aventine Press, at the current printing cost plus 13% and the shipping and handling charges.
Authors may purchase copies of their own title in quantities of:
- 1 to 99 copies to qualify for a 10% printing discount
- 100 to 150 copies to qualify for a discount of 15%
- 151 to 499 copies to qualify for a discount of 25%
- 500 to 999 copies to qualify for a discount of 35%
- 1,000 to 1,499 copies to qualify for a discount of 40%
- 1,500 copies and up for a discount of 45%.
Note: Printing prices are subject to change as market conditions and costs warrant.
Use our quick print cost calculator:
Our layout, design and formatting process is fastest among book publishing companies. In most cases, your book could be published and in distribution within 3 months.
80% of the payments we receive from all sales of the paperback and hardcover copies of your books are paid to you in royalties. We receive payments equal to the cover price, minus the trade (wholesale) discount and the single-copy printing cost (this is the profit margin of the transaction). Royalties are distributed by mail twice a year. No royalty will be paid on author purchases.
Here’s a quick example of how this works:
- A reader purchases a copy of your 160-page book at Amazon.com – The cover price of your book is $12.95;
- Subtract Amazon’s 55% trade discount – $7.12
- Subtract the printing cost –$3.30
- The remainder is the profit margin – $2.53
- 80% of this profit margin is the royalty paid to you – $2.02
To arrive at your book’s single-copy printing cost, simply:
- Multiply $0.0165 by the number of pages in your book
- Add the color cover printing & binding charge ($0.90 for paperback or $7.55 for hardcover).
Use our royalty calculator:
| ROYALTIES FOR BOOKS SOLD DURING | ARE PAID AT THE END OF |
|---|---|
| January, February, March, April, May, June | October |
| July, August, September, October, November, December | April |
Now we do!
We are proud to present our new Aventine Press self-published author bookstore:
