print on demand
Made when ordered
Print on demand is a publishing or manufacturing model where items are produced only after a customer orders them, rather than printed in bulk beforehand.
The term applies especially to books: She published her novel through a print-on-demand service.
The model eliminates inventory costs and makes small-run or self-publishing economically viable.
It extends to custom merchandise like t-shirts and posters.
Selling goods you never handle
- just-in-timeExactly when required
- stocklessHaving no inventory
- order processingManaging purchases through completion
- warehousingStoring goods commercially
shipping · packaging · distribution · integration · SKU · turnaround time · scalability
Writers publishing independently
- ISBNStandard publication number
- manuscriptOriginal text before publication
- ebookDownloadable text file
- paperbackBook with flexible cover
hardcover · Lulu · royalties · cover design · interior layout · backlist · frontlist · direct sales
Small intentional production run
- collectiblesItems people amass
- small-batchProduced in limited quantities
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
- subcultureGroup with alternative norms
cult following · genre-specific · merch · photobooks · calendars · posters · stickers · fan art
Tailoring to individual needs
- made-to-orderCreated to individual specifications
- bespokeMade to individual specifications
- tailoredAdjusted to fit exactly
- individualizedAdapted for one person
monogrammed · one-of-a-kind · unique · custom-fit · configure · exclusive · specialized · personalized gifts
dropshipping
Selling goods you never handle
- just-in-timeExactly when required
- stocklessHaving no inventory
- order processingManaging purchases through completion
warehousing · shipping · packaging · distribution · integration · SKU · turnaround time · scalability
indie authors
Writers publishing independently
- ISBNStandard publication number
- manuscriptOriginal text before publication
- ebookDownloadable text file
paperback · hardcover · Lulu · royalties · cover design · interior layout · backlist · frontlist · direct sales · creative control
limited edition
Small intentional production run
- collectiblesItems people amass
- small-batchProduced in limited quantities
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
subculture · cult following · genre-specific · merch · photobooks · calendars · posters · stickers · fan art
personalization
Tailoring to individual needs
- made-to-orderCreated to individual specifications
- bespokeMade to individual specifications
- tailoredAdjusted to fit exactly
individualized · monogrammed · one-of-a-kind · unique · custom-fit · configure · exclusive · specialized · personalized gifts
- publishingpublishers, editors, editor, publishing house, books
- extra incomeside hustle, side job, freelancing, gig work, moonlighting
- Side Hustlesfreelance, small business, self-employment, consulting, dropshipping
- book tradebook dealers, bookselling, bookseller, publisher, bookshops
- DIY publishingzines, fanzines, chapbooks, self-publishing, small press
- Publishing Modelsself-publishing, vanity press, academic publishing, small press, university press
print on demandmass production
Large-scale standardized fabrication
offset printing · print run · pre-production · mass-produced · batch production
print, demand, prints, printed, printing, printer, printers, printable, reprint