Print-On-Demand vs Bulk Printing: I Did The Math So You Don't Have To

I ordered 1,000 books. They're sitting in my garage. Here's what I learned the expensive way...

As an author, you've got a lot on your plate. Writing, editing, marketing... and then there's the printing. You've got two main options: Print-On-Demand (POD) and bulk printing. But which one is right for you?

The Printing Decision Framework

Let's break down the pros and cons of each:

Print-On-Demand (POD)

Pros:

• Zero upfront cost
• No inventory risk
• No storage needed
• Easy testing

Cons:

• Higher per-unit cost ($4-8 vs $2-3)
• Lower profit margins
• Limited customization
• Slower shipping

Bulk Printing

Pros:

• Lower per-unit cost
• Higher margins
• More customization
• Looks more professional

Cons:

• Upfront cost ($2,000-5,000)
• Inventory risk (what if they don't sell?)
• Storage space needed
• Shipping logistics

The Math

Let's run some numbers. We've got two scenarios:

SCENARIO 1: Selling 100 books/month

| | POD | Bulk | | --- | --- | --- | | Upfront Cost | $0 | $3,000 | | Unit Cost | $5 | $2.50 | | Sale Price | $15 | $15 | | Monthly Profit | $1,000 | $1,250 |

Verdict: POD wins (less risk, decent margin)

SCENARIO 2: Selling 500 books/month

| | POD | Bulk | | --- | --- | --- | | Upfront Cost | $0 | $3,000 | | Unit Cost | $5 | $2.50 | | Sale Price | $15 | $15 | | Monthly Profit | $2,500 | $6,250 |

Verdict: Bulk wins (if you're confident in demand)

The Hybrid Strategy

Why choose just one? Start with POD to validate demand, then switch to bulk once you hit X sales/month. You can even use both: POD for online sales and bulk for events/bookstores.

How AuthorKit Can Help

AuthorKit handles both POD and bulk printing seamlessly, with integrated fulfillment. You can focus on writing while we handle the rest.

Start with POD. Graduate to bulk when the math makes sense.

This is just the beginning...

AuthorKit gives you everything you need to build a real author business:

• Writer (AI-powered writing tool)
• Publisher (one-click formatting & distribution)
• Store (your own bookstore, keep 85%)
• Marketing (email, blog, community tools)
• Analytics (see what's working)

No monthly fees. Pay 15% commission only when you make sales.

👉 See pricing & features