What Print-on-Demand Means (and Why We Use It)

 

If you have ever ordered one of our books and noticed it takes a few extra days to ship, there is a good reason. Every Little Goodbyes Press book is printed only when someone orders it. This is called Print-on-Demand, or POD, just like it was all those years ago when books were first being printed one page at a time and hand-stitched together. 

What Print-on-Demand Actually Is

Instead of keeping stacks of books in warehouses, a POD printer creates each copy as it is ordered. The pages are printed, bound, and shipped directly to the retailer or reader only on demand. It is the same high-quality printing you would expect from a traditional run, just made to order.

That is why your copy of Bye-Bye, Boobies, Weird Laws, Shelved or The Fox and the Crow might take a little longer to arrive compared to a traditional publishing company that prints hundreds of copies of books at a time. So it takes a little longer, but it is being freshly printed for you. 

How Our Books Are Printed in Canada and Abroad

We use two POD networks so our books are available in more places including major retailers, libraries and local bookstores.

• Amazon KDP prints copies that are sold on, you guessed it, Amazon. For orders placed on Amazon.ca, books are printed in Canada (looking at you Bolton, ON printing company) whenever possible and shipped domestically so the books arrive fairly quickly. 
  
  For orders on other Amazon marketplaces, books are printed close to or in the destination country to reduce transit time.

• IngramSpark supplies bookstores, libraries, Amazon for select books, and many non-Amazon retailers in the US and around the world like Waterstones, Barnes & Noble and Readings to name a few. They do have printers in the US, UK, Australia and we are thrilled to know that our books are being printed locally in those countries and no only supports people working in all those countries, that cuts down on shipping times for families too.
  
  Sadly, at this time, IngramSpark does not print in Canada. Canadian orders placed through those retailers are printed at the nearest Ingram facility outside Canada (aka USA), then shipped across the border. Being printed in the US can add a couple extra days for transit and customs. We, along with many other Canadian small press companies are hoping that they will open up one here soon.

Both printers use the same interior files and cover designs. The story and quality are the same. The only difference is where the copy is printed and how it gets to you. 

(If you want more background on why we use both networks, see our earlier posts Why I'm using IngramSpark and Why I also publish on KDP)

Why We Chose POD

POD helps us publish responsibly. It reduces waste and storage, lets us keep multiple editions and translations available, and allows small updates if needed. This ensures that the copy you order is the most updated version without having to reprint and destroy and books or take up storage space in a dusty warehouse.

What This Means For Shipping Times

The downside to POD is because every copy is made to order, shipping can take a little longer than a warehouse item, especially during the holidays. So thank you for your support and patience while you wait for your books from us an other small presses in Canada and around the world.