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Print on Demand: Is Profit Even Possible?

by keyon
8 replies
I've been looking into selling a printed version of my ebook (on Amazon primarily), but can't seem to make the numbers work out to show much profit. By the time I subtract 55% for Amazon (Advantage program), and then another $5 - $7 each for on-demand printing (Instant Publisher), my $15 book will earn me less than $2 profit per sale. I'm not sure that's even worth the trouble.

I'm also disappointed that color interior pages are completely out of the picture. My book would have to retail for $20 just to break even.

I realize the big publishers are able to see a profit because they can afford large press runs, but are there any alternatives for the small guy? I wouldn't mind spending a couple thousand bucks up front if I could get the cost down to $2 - $3 a copy.
#demand #print #profit
  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Have you considered using Amazon's CreateSpace publishing option?

    https://www.createspace.com/
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    • Profile picture of the author keyon
      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      Have you considered using Amazon's CreateSpace publishing option?
      Thanks, John,
      I'm looking at that now...on the surface the numbers look much more attractive -- instead of a $2 profit, I'd be looking at closer to $6. Much better. I suppose Amazon is willing to offer me a better cut of the profits if I give my printing money to them first.

      On the website, the nitty-gritty details of the CreateSpace program are a little fuzzy, but I've put in a request to talk to a rep for more info.
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
        I am not an Amazon publishing expert, but I think you can submit your book to both CreateSpace and to Kindle.
        Signature


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        • Profile picture of the author keyon
          Originally Posted by JMichaelZ View Post

          I am not an Amazon publishing expert, but I think you can submit your book to both CreateSpace and to Kindle.
          Yeah, I believe CreateSpace can make a Kindle version of your book for you if you like -- and probably submit it automatically to the Kindle store.
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          • Profile picture of the author keyon
            By the way....
            If anyone out there is using Kindle to direct readers to a printed version of the book, I'd be curious to know how that's working out for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jessica Lynn
    Just curious, do you have anything against uploading it to the Kindle marketplace? Seems to be much simpler and the market is growing quickly.
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    • Profile picture of the author keyon
      Originally Posted by Jessica Lynn View Post

      Just curious, do you have anything against uploading it to the Kindle marketplace? Seems to be much simpler and the market is growing quickly.
      Not at all. Eventually I want to create some version of my books for Kindle. My issue with the Kindle books is that I don't think my content is very well suited for that format. I have a lot of illustrations, diagrams, and pages that are designed to be printed, not just read.
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  • Profile picture of the author michael n marcus
    Originally Posted by keyon View Post

    can't seem to make the numbers work out to show much profit. By the time I subtract 55% for Amazon (Advantage program),
    With Amazon Advantage, all of the advantage is Amazon's. You'll make much more per book if Lightning Source or CreateSpace prints your books on demand and then ships them to Amazon's customers.

    Michael N. Marcus
    bookmakingblog.blogspot.com
    SilverSandsBooks.com
    Create better books with help from BookFur.com
    Facebook.com/SilverSandsBooks
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