You don’t need a publishing contract or professional writing experience to become an author. Whether you have an existing readership or are making your debut, print on demand books are a practical way to self-publish your work quickly and affordably—without the need to purchase any copies upfront or worry about storing inventory.
In book publishing and beyond, print on demand is a growing industry. Globally, print on demand (POD) is expected to increase from $12.39 billion in 2025 to $75.30 billion by 2033.
This guide covers the most popular print-on-demand book services. Learn about production times, publishing options, and additional services to help you choose the right publisher for your books.
What is print-on-demand book publishing?
Print-on-demand book publishing is a process where you write a book and a supplier produces the book once an order is received. With your manuscript and some basic design software skills, you can produce professional, high-quality books, then sell them on a marketplace or your own website.
Unlike traditional self-publishing, print on demand avoids large inventory investments. Rather than paying to print boxes of books and hoping they sell, print-on-demand suppliers print books only when orders come in and ship them directly to the customer’s door.
If you already have an audience, you can use print on demand to sell books to your social media followers or through your email list.
Top 6 print-on-demand book services compared
When choosing a print-on-demand publisher, cost is among the most important factors. “Some platforms have higher printing costs, which eats into your profit margin,” says Shaun Quarton, a writer who has sold about 1.2 million copies of books in different formats.
You also want to consider usability and how these platforms can help you market your book. “You want a dashboard that makes it easy to upload, format, and preview your books,” Shaun adds. “Many platforms also offer native marketing tools, which can be really helpful when you’re launching your first title and not sure where to start with promotion.”
Explore this list of print-on-demand publishing services to compare and choose the best option for your printed works.
| POD service provider | Who it’s for | Production time | Royalties | Available formats | Binding options |
| Lulu Direct | Authors who want to sell directly on their websites | 3–5 days | 100% of profits | Hardcover, paperback, comic book, magazine, ebook | Perfect bound, coil bound, saddle stitch, case wrap, linen wrap |
| BookBaby | Authors who want to sell print and audiobooks | 2–5 days | 100% of profits from self-distributed sales; 50% royalties after a one-time fee of $199 for BookBaby Bookshop distribution; net sales after a one-time fee of $399 for major retailer distribution | Paperback, hardback, ebook, audiobooks | Perfect bound, adhesive case wrap, dust jacket |
| IngramSpark | Authors who want to sell to brick-and-mortar stores | 3–5 business days for paperbacks, 7–10 business days for hardcover | 100% of profits from self-distributed sales; fees apply when using Ingram’s distribution network | Paperback, hardcover (with dust jacket), ebook | Perfect bound, case laminate, with or without a dust jacket |
| Blurb | Authors who want to use templates | Five business days for printing and binding | Royalty calculations displayed on account dashboard | Trade book, magazine, notebook, photo book, ebook | Perfect bound |
| Kindle Direct Publishing | Authors primarily interested in selling ebooks through Amazon | Varies | 60% | Paperback, hardcover, ebook | Perfect bound |
| Bookvault | Authors in the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia who want to sell through their own store or The Great British Bookshop | 5–7 days | 100% profits on self-distributed sales; up to 90% royalties from The Great British Bookshop | Paperback, hardcover | Perfect bound, saddle stitch, case bound, wire bound, spiral bound |
1. Lulu Direct
Lulu Direct specializes in print-on-demand self-publishing. The service offers multiple book formats, including hardcover and paperback, black-and-white and color prints, and various paper types. Binding options include perfect bound, coil, saddle stitch, hardcover case wrap, and hardcover linen with dust jacket.
Content marketer Braveen Kumar chose Lulu Direct to self-publish his poetry because of the platform’s high profit margins. His book, which he sold for $20, cost $3 to print and $9 to ship.
Using Lulu Direct also let Braveen sell his book on his Shopify store, supporting his goal of building a brand and selling other products. By connecting his store to Instagram, he could tag his book in posts and give customers the option to buy while browsing social media.
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Who it’s for: Authors who want to sell directly on their websites
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Production time: 3-5 business days
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Royalties: 100% of profits
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Available formats: Hardcover, paperback, comic book, magazine, ebook
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Binding options: Perfect bound, coil bound, saddle stitch, case wrap, linen wrap
2. BookBaby
BookBaby offers black-and-white and full-color printing for both paperback and hardcover books, plus digital publication options. BookBaby can also help you transform your own books into audiobooks narrated by AI voices, voice actors, or your own voice.
You can sell your print-on-demand books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and various wholesale distributors, as well as on BookBaby’s own online shop. BookBaby also provides editing services, including line editing, proofreading, and synopsis writing.
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Who it’s for: Authors who want to sell print and audiobooks
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Production time: 2–5 business days
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Royalties: 100% of profits for self-distributed sales. BookBaby also offers two distribution plans: BookBaby Bookshop distribution costs $199 and includes 50% royalties; with the Global Distribution plan, you pay $399 and get distribution on Amazon, Powell’s, Barnes & Noble, and more. You’ll keep net sales (your book’s sales minus BookBaby’s printing and shipping fees).
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Available formats: Paperback, hardback, ebook, audiobook
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Binding options: Perfect bound, adhesive case wrap, adhesive case wrap, dust jacket
3. IngramSpark
IngramSpark’s standout feature is its distribution network. It connects with more than 40,000 independent bookstores, chain stores, and libraries to help get your titles in front of readers.
”[One] key benefit of Ingram is access to brick-and-mortar stores, as many of them order through [Ingram’s] catalog,” Shaun says. “If you’re looking to expand beyond online sales, IngramSpark can help you add a new revenue stream.”
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Who it’s for: Authors who want to sell to brick-and-mortar stores
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Production time: 3–5 business days for paperback, 7–10 business days for hardcover
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Royalties: 100% of profits. If you use Ingram Spark’s distribution network, you’ll pay a market access fee of 1% of the local list price at the time of sale.
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Available formats: Paperback, hardcover (with dust jacket), ebook
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Binding options: Perfect bound, case laminate, with or without a dust jacket
4. Blurb
Blurb has a dedicated print-on-demand service. It offers a wide selection of paper types and its own design software to help you lay out your product to meet bookseller standards.
If you plan to sell your book to the masses, you might benefit from Blurb’s integrated bookstore and network of thousands of retailers. Retailers can order and stock your books directly through Blurb.
Blurb integrates with Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and InDesign, making it easier to format and submit your designs. While there’s no dedicated Shopify app, you can direct customers from your Shopify store to Blurb to place an order.
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Who it’s for: Authors who want to use templates
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Production time: Five business days
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Royalties: Royalty calculations displayed on your account dashboard
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Available formats: Trade book, magazine, notebook, photo book, ebook
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Binding options: Perfect bound
5. Kindle Direct Publishing
If you plan to sell primarily through Amazon, you can use its service to print and ship your titles. Kindle Direct Publishing provides digital and print publishing with direct access to Amazon’s Kindle store—an advantage, according to Shaun. “Most of your book sales will likely come through Amazon,” Shaun says. “They offer better royalty rates if you sell exclusively through them via KDP Select [a 90-day program that requires separate enrollment].
Listing titles is free, with a commission charged on each sale. While the service doesn’t support magazines, periodicals, or spiral-bound notebooks, you can convert your existing books into Amazon ebooks or paperbacks for additional visibility.
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Who’s it for: Authors primarily interested in selling ebooks through Amazon
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Production time: Varies based on book type
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Royalties: 60%
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Available formats: Paperback, hardcover, ebook, ebook series
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Binding options: Perfect bound
6. Bookvault
Bookvault is a United Kingdom–based print-on-demand book publisher that connects directly to your Shopify store. It also has its own bookstore, The Great British Bookshop. Bookvault users who want to sell on The Great British Bookshop can retain up to 90% royalties.
UK authors can use BookvaultBespoke to add special features like gold foiling and ribbon bookmarks.
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Who’s it for: Authors in the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia who want to sell through their own store or The Great British Bookshop
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Production time: 5–7 business days
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Royalties: 100% profits on self-distributed sales
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Available formats: Paperback, hardcover
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Binding options: Perfect bound, saddle stitch, case bound, wire bound, spiral bound
3 specialty print-on-demand book services
If you’re looking beyond traditional books (think: notebooks, scrapbooks, and journals), there are several specialty POD services you can use, including:
1. Contrado
Contrado’s Shopify app offers more than 470 print-on-demand products, including paper and stationery items. Though it doesn’t print traditional hardcover books, you can create notebooks, address books, and photo books with your designs. You can also use the platform to sell your artwork.
Orders ship domestically and internationally within three to five business days, with rates varying by location. Students can also access special discounts.
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Who it’s for: Stationery stores
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Production time: 3-5 business days
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Minimum order: None
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Available formats: Scrapbooks, portfolios, notebooks, guest books, photo albums
2. Gelato
Gelato partners with more than 50 manufacturers across more than 70 global locations. The service offers fast, flat-rate shipping with discounts for multiple items per order.
While traditional book printing isn’t available, Gelato is a great option for photographers who want to sell photo books of their work. You can also sell print on demand notebooks and calendars. Outside of paper products, Gelato produces print-on-demand shirts, apparel, mugs, and other branded merchandise, helping you build a broader product line for your readers.
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Who’s it for: Photographers
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Production time: 3-4 business days
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Minimum order: None
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Available formats: Photo books, notebooks
3. Printify
Printify’s Shopify app specializes in print-on-demand notebooks and journals. Its broad product catalog and established fulfillment network support growing brands. The platform easily syncs with your Shopify store to provide real-time sales and order data.
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Who it’s for: Stationery brands
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Production time: 2-7 business days
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Minimum order: None
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Available formats: Notebooks, custom journals
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Benefits of print-on-demand books
- Easy to start
- Automated inventory management and fulfillment
- Retail access
- Cost-effective pricing
- Additional services
- Flexibility to adapt
Using a print-on-demand service to publish your books gives you more time to focus on your work. Here are a few other benefits of this self-publishing process:
Easy to start
Print-on-demand services use a just-in-time approach to manufacturing. Most providers print books only when orders come in. This removes the risk and cost of buying books upfront before knowing how many will sell.
Automated inventory management and fulfillment
One of the biggest advantages is that you don’t have to purchase books upfront or worry about managing your inventory. Print-on-demand services also handle the entire order fulfillment process—receiving orders, packaging books, and organizing delivery. This saves you time and money, especially when you’re just starting out.
“I’ve looked into traditional bulk printing on a few occasions, but once you factor in the cost of a print run, storage, packaging, shipping, and tracking stock levels, it just doesn’t seem worth it,” Shaun says.
Retail access
Services like Blurb and IngramSpark work directly with wholesalers and booksellers, making it easier to get your books into retail stores. These connections help you reach more readers through traditional retail channels.
Cost-effective pricing
Print on demand is cost-effective for self-published authors. “There are several platforms where the setup costs are zero,” Shaun says. “Once you’ve written your book and got yourself a cover, that’s it. No upfront or hidden costs. Just hit Publish and your book will live on the website within a few hours for people to order. If you’re starting out and don’t have much money to invest, it’s hard to beat.”
Additional services
Most services offer quality control options like ordering proofs, copy editing, and proofreading. You can also turn your finished manuscript into an ebook or audiobook, and many services also offer translation services. “A translated version is much more likely to sell well in those markets than the English version,” Shaun adds. “And you still manage your books from the same dashboard.”
Flexibility to adapt
You can update your book design quickly based on reader feedback, from changing covers to adjusting page layouts. “If I want to update one of my POD books—tweak the cover, fix a typo, change the blurb—I can do it in a few hours,” Shaun says.
How to choose a print-on-demand book service
- Review their processes
- Decide what kind of book you want to print
- Check pricing and commissions
- Determine if they can grow with you
- Check their reputation and connection
Here are a few things to consider when deciding between print-on-demand book publishers:
1. Review their processes
You want your books to arrive quickly, so look for services that can print and deliver your books to readers efficiently. Pay attention to their packing and shipping times, and whether they have partnerships with shipping companies. If you’re thinking global, make sure the service can handle international orders at reasonable rates.
Also, make sure to review whether they have an exclusivity clause or if you can distribute your book through multiple channels at once.
2. Decide what kind of book you want to print
The type of book you hope to publish will determine what book-printing service you use. “If your book needs something more specialized, like a particular binding style or an unusual trim size, you’ll need to seek out the specific platforms that cater to your specific needs,” Shaun says.
If you’re publishing a children’s book, for example, look for a printer that can handle full-color illustrations and offers multiple sizes and paper weights. Bookvault recommends using 150 grams per square meter coated paper for children’s books.
Romance novels and thrillers frequently dominate the Kindle bestseller list; if your book falls into either of those genres, you should seriously consider KDP.
3. Check pricing and commissions
Print-on-demand services often have different payment policies. Some are free upfront but take a cut of your sales, while others might ask for an upfront payment but let you keep more profit later. Think about your budget and what works best for your wallet in the long run.
You may find that you can maximize your profits by working with multiple services: “I publish through Ingram to get it into bookstores, I publish through KDP for Amazon, and then for my Shopify store, I use Bookvault,” says Julie Broad, author of Self-Publish & Succeed and founder of self-publishing service Book Launchers. This multichannel strategy allows Julie to tap into Ingram’s and Amazon’s audiences, while earning more per book on sales made directly through her Shopify store.
4. Determine if they can grow with you
All authors hope their books will take off, but you need a print-on-demand service that can keep up with sales. Look for services that give you real-time sales information so you can track peaks and troughs in your bottom line.
It’s also good to think beyond print. If you’re considering other print-on-demand products like ebooks or audiobooks—or even merch like shirts, hats, or mugs—it might be worth choosing a service that offers these, too.
5. Check their reputation and connections
If you want to sell your book in bookstores, pick a service with strong retailer networks. See what other self-published authors are saying—read reviews, testimonials, and case studies to understand the each print-on-demand service’s production quality and customer satisfaction.
Print-on-demand books vs. traditional publishing
You can create high-quality books whether you choose print on demand or traditional publishing methods.
Here are a few ways print on demand and traditional publishing differ:
Creative control
In a traditional publishing model, you don’t control what goes to print. This means if you need to make an update to your book, it’s not a simple process. “With a traditional publisher, [changes] can take months,” Shaun says. “There’s a chain of command to navigate, layers of approvals, and even then, updates often have to wait until the next print run. They could even disagree and say no.”
Print on demand allows you to bypass these hurdles and retain complete creative control of your project. If you go to market with one version of your book but later want to update it, you can simply replace the old version with your POD publisher. On the flipside, although you have more creative freedom with self-publishing, you won’t have a professional editor built into the process like you would with a traditional publishing house, so you’ll have to actively seek one out to help you refine your work.
Control your pricing
Self-publishing lets you set your own prices. Print-on-demand services typically take a commission, but you choose the retail price and set your profit margin.
If you sell through your own online store, you also control your direct-to-consumer (DTC) pricing. When selling to retailers, you’ll need to offer wholesale discounts (typically 40% to 60%) so bookstores can make their standard markup.
Choose your sales channels
Print on demand gives you freedom over distribution. For Shaun, going the traditional publishing route meant not maximizing online sales. “I was surprised by how little some publishers understood about online selling,” he says. “Yes, they sold more copies in brick-and-mortar stores, but I saw a big drop in my online sales. In the end, I was earning significantly less than when I was handling it myself.”
Instead of a publisher deciding where to sell your book, you can sell directly to readers through your online store or work with retailers and wholesalers—or a combination of these options. Many print on demand services also include distribution networks to help you reach more readers.
Marketing strategies for print-on-demand books
Marketing matters just as much as your book’s content when you self-publish. Without a traditional publisher’s support, you’re responsible for reaching readers.
Here are key strategies to get you started with marketing your print on demand books:
Create high-quality content
One of the best ways Shaun gets repeat customers is by writing good books. “I know it sounds obvious, but making your books the best they can be pays off,” he says. “The readthrough rate for my series is incredibly high. If someone reads one of my entry-point books, there’s a strong chance they’ll go on to read several more. That organic momentum helps keep all my titles moving.”
Build your author platform
Your author platform is your marketing foundation—where readers learn about you and your books. You don’t need advanced tech skills to build an effective platform.
Here’s how to start building your platform as a self-published author:
Website
Create a simple, clean website with key information about your books and yourself. Include an About page to introduce yourself, a blog to share updates or behind-the-scenes content, and most importantly, a way for readers to buy your book directly or through retailer links.
One of the simplest ways to build an author website is with a no-code, drag-and-drop website builder like Shopify.
Email list
An email list is a good way to keep in contact with your readers. It’s one of the most effective marketing strategies for Shaun. “I include a signup form at the front and back of every book to grow my list,” he says. “From there, I focus on offering genuinely useful content—I never spam. When I launch something new, I always give my list early access and a very generous discount. That initial boost often pushes the book to the top of the bestseller charts.”
Author branding
Define what makes you unique as an author by developing some basic branding. Whether you have a standout writing style, expertise in your genre, or a compelling personal story, keep it consistent across your platform.
Use social media for promotion
Social media helps authors connect with readers directly while reaching potential buyers. Choose platforms based on your audience—look at the different platforms and learn about their key demographics. For example, if you want to appeal to younger audiences and create short videos, you might consider marketing on TikTok.
Regardless of where you choose to post, here’s how to make the most of your platform:
Be authentic
Share more than just book promotions. Post about your writing process or book inspiration. Reveal different parts of your personality. More casual posts can resonate with your audience.
Check #BookTok for inspiration.
Engage with your audience
Reply to comments, ask questions, and join conversations with other authors or readers of your genre. More interaction helps readers feel connected to you, making them more likely to support your work.
Run ads
Run targeted ads to reach more readers. Even a small budget for Facebook or Instagram ads can help find people interested in your book.
Social media strategy and planning templates
Ready to get started with your social media strategy? These free, customizable templates give you tools to plan and execute a strategy that connects you with your target audience while keeping your content calendar organized.
Share your words with the world
You don’t need a traditional publisher to reach readers. Print-on-demand books offer a cost-effective way to share your writing and build a profitable business. With a Shopify store, you get tools and apps to help you sell books and grow your audience.
Connect print-on-demand services like Lulu Direct to your store to print and ship books automatically when orders come in. Handle everything from one dashboard and offer multiple formats—paperback, hardcover, or digital—to appeal to the varying tastes of your target audience.
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Print-on-demand books FAQ
Is there a minimum order quantity?
Print-on-demand suppliers do not typically have a minimum order quantity, since each item is printed to order. But check each service’s policies before choosing a provider.
Can I sell my book on multiple platforms?
Yes, you can list your print-on-demand book on various platforms to reach more readers. Review each platform’s terms, as some have exclusivity requirements.
What is the best print-on-demand site for books?
Shopify works well for selling print on demand books. Connect any compatible print-on-demand apps to your store to print and sell your books.
Does Amazon print books on demand?
Yes, Kindle Direct Publishing prints both physical and digital books on demand for sale through Amazon.
How much does it cost to print books on demand?
Most print-on-demand services have minimal upfront costs. Costs for fulfillment and the self-publishing process come out of your sales revenue. Exact costs depend on which provider you choose and how you price your book.
Is print on demand still profitable?
Print on demand lets you start with low costs and scale as demand grows. Your profitability depends on factors like pricing strategy, marketing efforts, and product quality.
Can I sell print-on-demand books worldwide?
You can sell directly to international readers through your online store by enabling international shipping. Some print on demand services also offer access to global distribution networks.
What is the best print-on-demand service for books?
The best print-on-demand services for you depends on pricing structure, the type of book you want to publish, and ease of use. A few popular POD book publishers include Lulu Direct, Kindle Direct Publishing, and IngramSpark.
Can you really make money with print on demand?
Yes, you can make money with print-on-demand book publishing. However, finding success requires a strong marketing strategy and a high-quality book.
Can you sell print on demand books on Etsy?
Yes, you can sell print on demand books on Etsy, but you might not be able to connect your shop to popular POD platforms, which means fulfillment may require an additional step.
