When you self-publish a book, print on demand is one way to produce it. But is it the best (and wisest) choice for you and your readers? Print-on-demand promises to allow anyone to become an author without the risk of investing in inventory. It also provides a book order fulfillment solution that some find attractive. On the flip side, there are trade-offs in profit and never having access to customer data. Knowing who purchased your book and seeing if they are interested in purchasing other things from you can be lucrative. Books open many doors when you know your readers and their interests.

If you plan ahead and make a minimal investment in printing books beforehand, you can find a fulfillment house to ship your orders. When you do, you can sell books directly from your eCommerce store and still participate in platforms like Amazon. It offers an "orders fulfilled by seller" option that can give you access to its customer base without losing control of your book. When you ship your orders or have a fulfillment house handle them, you keep your customer's information. It means upselling opportunities and giving you a list of email addresses – you can use them for future promotions.

Deciding on print on demand also has to do with your book and the way you plan to have it printed. When you work with a conventional printer, your options typically expand. Print-on-demand tends to be more limited and forces you to work more generically. For example, some books benefit from binding choices that may only be available from some printers. It's the same with options for add-ons like embossing or lamination. If your book is part of your image and makes a branding statement, having access to the full range of options helps. It also makes you more competitive against other books.

Books printing decisions are still crucial because even if you offer an eBook, more than eight out of 10 buyers will still select a printed version. It's surprising to many that the average book sells more than 80 percent of its copies in physical form, even with the proliferation of eBooks and audiobooks. People enjoy the experience of reading physical copies, and sales remain strong. Successful self-publishers know these realities and ensure that their books are offered in the correct format. Quality also matters because you will compete with traditionally printed books for the same buyers.