print-on-demand
Made when ordered
Print-on-demand is a publishing and manufacturing model where items are produced only after a customer orders them, rather than printed in bulk beforehand.
Books, t-shirts, and posters commonly use this approach: She published her novel through a print-on-demand service.
The model eliminates inventory costs and unsold stock, making it popular with self-publishers and small businesses.
Releasing work without publishers
- ISBNStandard publication number
- manuscriptOriginal text before publication
- cover designPublication's front visual
- typesettingArranging text for print
formatting · proofreading · editing · paperback · hardcover · blurb · royalties · distribution
Selling goods you never handle
- low riskMinimal potential for harm
- passive incomeMoney earned without labor
- e-commerceInternet-based buying and selling
- EtsyHandmade goods marketplace
Shopify · storefront · profit margin · supplier · fulfillment center · scalability · side hustle · entrepreneur
Collarless casual pullovers
- mugsCylindrical drinking vessels
- postersPrinted wall advertisements
- phone casesProtective device enclosures
- tote bagsOpen-topped fabric carryalls
stickers · canvas prints · apparel · hoodies · dropshipping · mockups · fulfillment · wall art
Tailoring to individual needs
- made-to-orderCreated to individual specifications
- one-of-a-kindHaving no equivalent
- uniqueOnly one exists
- monogrammedMarked with personal initials
Spray-based printing method
- substratesUnderlying supporting materials
- bindingLegally or morally required
- trimmingCutting away excess
- automationSelf-operating system design
order fulfillment · color management · resolution · bleed · white-label
self-publishing
Releasing work without publishers
- ISBNStandard publication number
- manuscriptOriginal text before publication
- cover designPublication's front visual
typesetting · formatting · proofreading · editing · paperback · hardcover · blurb · royalties · distribution · bookstores
dropshipping
Selling goods you never handle
- low riskMinimal potential for harm
- passive incomeMoney earned without labor
- e-commerceInternet-based buying and selling
Etsy · Shopify · storefront · profit margin · supplier · fulfillment center · scalability · side hustle · entrepreneur · startup costs
t-shirts
Collarless casual pullovers
- mugsCylindrical drinking vessels
- postersPrinted wall advertisements
- phone casesProtective device enclosures
tote bags · stickers · canvas prints · apparel · hoodies · dropshipping · mockups · fulfillment · wall art · leggings
personalization
Tailoring to individual needs
- made-to-orderCreated to individual specifications
- one-of-a-kindHaving no equivalent
- uniqueOnly one exists
monogrammed · individualized · tailored · bespoke · configured
inkjet
Spray-based printing method
- substratesUnderlying supporting materials
- bindingLegally or morally required
- trimmingCutting away excess
automation · order fulfillment · color management · resolution · bleed · white-label
- book worlddystopian fiction, young adult fiction, fantasy novels, graphic novels, memoir
- publishing termsbook rights, self-publishing, backlists, foreign editions, ISBN
- self-publishingindie author, indie authors, ebook, POD, ISBN
- small presssmall press, indie press, chapbook, zine, literary magazine
- e-commercecheckout, shopping cart, online shopping, cart, online retail
- publishingpublishers, editors, editor, publishing house, books
print, demand, printer, printing, printed, imprint, reprint, printers, reprinting