Print-on-demand publishing through CreateSpace

From MPublishing

(Difference between revisions)

Current revision

Michigan Publishing operates a robust print-on-demand service that sells high-quality, low-cost reprints of public domain books from Michigan’s digital collections, of previously out-of-print titles by University of Michigan faculty, and more. We can also make issues of our hosted journals available as print-on-demand softcover copies.

For these serial publications, Michigan Publishing acts as a broker between CreateSpace, a print-on-demand company owned by Amazon, and the journal, book series editor, or individual author (the publishing partner). These publications are set up via Michigan Publishing's account with CreateSpace, using an ISBN assigned (and paid for) by Michigan Publishing.

Do we really need an ISBN if our journal already has an ISSN? Yes. An ISSN is a unique identifier for the journal title. Its use aids in tracking subscriptions. An ISBN is unique identifier for an inventory item, like a book or a journal issue sold individually. For items published in the US, while ISSNs are free, ISBNs, unfortunately, cost money.

Items are included in the Amazon catalog, and links are provided from Michigan Publishing's online version to Amazon.com for any users who wish to purchase a paper copy. In addition, the publishing partner can order copies, at manufacturing cost plus shipping, through Michigan Publishing.

Below is a more detailed description of printing capabilities and costs, as well as instructions for Michigan Publishing's publishing partners.

[edit] Printing capabilities

CreateSpace can print items in a wide range of trim sizes, subject to minimum and maximum page counts. CreateSpace can print interiors in black & white or full color, although color costs more (see below).

[edit] Print copies

Michigan Publishing can order print copies on behalf of publishing partners at the cost of manufacturing plus shipping.

[edit] Revenue model

As in our publishing agreements for POD printing, Michigan Publishing sets the retail price of each item for sale. Publishing partners receive a portion of net revenue (the sale price less production costs and Amazon's percentage).

[edit] Procedure

Our publishing partners are responsible for providing Michigan Publishing with ready-to-submit files: a print-ready PDF of the cover and a separate PDF of the interior pages. Here's the procedure:

Ask your contact at Michigan Publishing to give you an ISBN for the new issue of the journal. You will need the ISBN in order to name files that you submit to Michigan Publishing. This 13-digit ISBN should also appear on the title page verso within the book block (along with the copyright information), in the form "ISBN 978-1-xxxxx-xxx-x".
Send your contact the following:
- title
- volume number
- issue number
PDF files should be prepared according to CreateSpace specs for interior PDFs and exterior PDFs. Note that CreateSpace can provide Microsoft Word templates to help with your typesetting of the interior and a JPEG template for the cover, sized to the book's page count and trim size. Michigan Publishing cannot provide direct assistance in preparing these files, but can answer questions about the preparation procedure not explained in the documentation. There are also some helpful resources available from Create Space
Send the files to your contact at Michigan Publishing for submission to CreateSpace. These can be sent as email attachments or mailed to Michigan Publishing on a CD/DVD, or Michigan Publishing can download them through FTP. The files should be named as such (where 978123456789x is the ISBN assigned to the issue by Michigan Publishing):
- 978123456789x.pdf —the PDF for the interior (the "book block")
- 978123456789x-cover.pdf — the PDF for the cover
- 978123456789x-metadata.txt — a text file containing the following:
  - title as it should appear in the Amazon catalog
  - primary author:
    - prefix
    - first name/initial
    - middle name/initial
    - last name/initial
    - suffix
  - additional contributors (names broken down as above)
  - subtitle as it should appear in the Amazon catalog (optional)
  - volume number
  - interior style: black & white or full color, with or without bleeds (Note: covers are always printed in color.)
  - page color: white or cream (Note: cream paper is not an option for books with color interiors)
  - trim size (in inches)
  - one applicable BISAC subject heading (this refers to a list of subject headings used by booksellers)
  - short description:
    - cannot exceed 4,000 characters
    - cannot contain phone numbers, addresses (mailing or e-mail), website URLs, reviews, quotes, testimonials, or time-sensitive information
  - optional:
    - author biography
    - search keywords (up to five)
If any print copies are desired, specify the quantity and shipping address, and your contact will email you the printing cost and estimated shipping for your approval. If you are within the University of Michigan, you may reimburse Michigan Publishing for the printing and shipping costs using a departmental shortcode. If you are outside the University, you will be invoiced for the amount due. The invoice may be paid by check (from US banks only), wire transfer, money order, or credit card. Once the invoice is paid, your contact at Michigan Publishing will order the print copies on your behalf.
Once the item is available for sale, Michigan Publishing staff will add a link from Michigan Publishing's online version of the journal content to the specific item on Amazon.com.

(Note to staff: see node 1145 in the intranet.)

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-SPO operates a robust print-on-demand service that sells high-quality, low-cost reprints of public domain books from Michigan’s digital collections. We have also been experimenting with helping Michigan faculty put their out-of-print books back into print with this service, as well as setting up a few serial publications to be sold as print-on-demand softcover copies.
+Michigan Publishing operates a [http://publishing.umich.edu/services/print-services/ robust print-on-demand service] that sells high-quality, low-cost reprints of public domain books from Michigan’s digital collections, of previously out-of-print titles by University of Michigan faculty, and more.  We can also make issues of our [http://publishing.umich.edu/services/journal-services/ hosted journals] available as print-on-demand softcover copies.
-For these serial publications, SPO acts as a broker between CreateSpace (formerly known as BookSurge), a print-on-demand printer owned by Amazon, and the journal editor (the publishing partner). These publications are sold on SPO's account with CreateSpace and are submitted to CreateSpace by SPO staff with an ISBN assigned (and paid for) by SPO. There are options for sharing revenue with publishing partners.
+For these serial publications, Michigan Publishing acts as a broker between CreateSpace, a print-on-demand company owned by Amazon, and the journal, book series editor, or individual author (the publishing partner). These publications are set up via Michigan Publishing's account with CreateSpace, using an ISBN assigned (and paid for) by Michigan Publishing.
-Items are included in the Amazon catalog, and links are provided from SPO's online version to Amazon for any users who wish to purchase a paper copy. In addition, the publishing partner can order copies at manufacturing cost.
+<p style="background-color: #99CCCC; padding: 1em">Do we really need an ISBN if our journal already has an ISSN? Yes. An ISSN is a unique identifier for the journal title. Its use aids in tracking subscriptions. An ISBN is unique identifier for an inventory item, like a book or a journal issue sold individually. For items published in the US, while ISSNs are free, ISBNs, unfortunately, cost money.</p>
-Below is a more detailed description of printing capabilities and costs, as well as instructions for SPO's publishing partners that edit serial publications.
+Items are included in the Amazon catalog, and links are provided from Michigan Publishing's online version to Amazon.com for any users who wish to purchase a paper copy. In addition, the publishing partner can order copies, at manufacturing cost plus shipping, through Michigan Publishing.
-= Printing capabilities =
+Below is a more detailed description of printing capabilities and costs, as well as instructions for Michigan Publishing's publishing partners.
-CreateSpace can print items in a [https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/ wide range of trim sizes], subject to minimum and maximum page counts (Go to the tab called "Book Sizes and Artwork"). CreateSpace can print in monochrome or full color, but color costs more (see below).
+== Printing capabilities ==
-= Setup and manufacturing cost =
+CreateSpace can print items in a [https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/#content4 wide range of trim sizes], subject to minimum and maximum page counts. CreateSpace can print interiors in black & white or full color, although color costs more (see below).
-For selling print-on-demand copies of an item through CreateSpace, there's a '''one-time fee''' to purchase an ISBN (from Bowker, the official ISBN agency for the United States).  There is also a '''fixed charge for printing each copy''', which covers the cost of printing the cover, and '''per-page costs''' for monochrome and color pages. In addition, Amazon charges a '''delivery fee''' for mailing copies after printing.
+== Print copies ==
-These costs are covered through a combination of a set-up fee and/or the retail price of the volume, set through one of the two options described below.
+Michigan Publishing can order print copies on behalf of publishing partners at the cost of manufacturing plus shipping.
-<p style="background-color: #99CCCC; padding: 1em">Do we really need an ISBN if our journal already has an ISSN? Yes. An ISSN is a unique identifier for the journal title. Its use aids in tracking subscriptions. An ISBN is unique identifier for an inventory item, like a book or a journal issue sold individually. While ISSNs are free, ISBNs, unfortunately, cost money.</p>
+== Revenue model ==
-<p style="background-color: #99CCCC; padding: 1em">Interested in the costs? SPO pays Bowker $1.75 per ISBN and Amazon publishes its [http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_navbox_lnship_rates?nodeId=468636 US shipping fees] and [http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_navbox_lnship_int?nodeId=596184 international shipping fees].</p>
+As in our [[Publishing Agreements|publishing agreements]] for POD printing, Michigan Publishing sets the retail price of each item for sale.  Publishing partners receive a portion of net revenue (the sale price less production costs and Amazon's percentage).
-= Sample and complimentary copies =
+<!-- JM: this may no longer be applicable to anyone
+In the past, Michigan Publishing offered other revenue models to publishing partners.  If you have an agreement using one of these models, you'll find [[Old_POD_revenue_models|separate information for you]]. -->
-SPO can order sample and complimentary copies on behalf of publishing partners at the cost of manufacturing plus shipping.
+== Procedure ==
-= Sale price =
+Our publishing partners are responsible for providing Michigan Publishing with ready-to-submit files: a print-ready PDF of the cover and a separate PDF of the interior pages. Here's the procedure:
-There are two options for setting the retail price of each copy.
+# Ask your contact at Michigan Publishing to give you an ISBN for the new issue of the journal. You will need the ISBN in order to name files that you submit to Michigan Publishing. This 13-digit ISBN should also appear on the title page verso within the book block (along with the copyright information), in the form "ISBN 978-1-xxxxx-xxx-x".
+# Send your contact the following:
-== A. SPO sets the price ==
-SPO will set the retail price, based on estimated sales, in order to attempt to recover costs involved in setup and administrative overhead. The publishing partner does not receive any revenue from sales, and SPO will not attempt to profit from the sales. If SPO determines that sales do not offset setup costs, SPO may stop setting up new issues for sale with 60 days' notice.
-== B. Publishing partner sets the price ==
-SPO will calculate the cost of manufacturing a single copy and provide this information to the publishing partner, who will then decide the retail price at which they wish to sell copies. The publishing partner may change this price at any time by notifying your contact at SPO, who will adjust the price in Amazon.
-SPO charges a setup fee of $45 per item made available for sale. This fee is subject to change with 60 days' notice. Once a year, SPO will calculate the profit made selling items for the publishing partner, minus any setup fees incurred that year. SPO will notify the publishing partner of the account balance. If the publishing partner owes SPO, SPO will produce an invoice; if SPO owes the publishing partner (for royalty dividends), SPO will inform the publishing partner of the total royalties. The publishing partner invoices SPO for this amount, and SPO pays this dividend.
-= Procedure =
-Our publishing partners are responsible for providing SPO with ready-to-submit files: a print-ready PDF of the cover and one of the interior pages. Here's the procedure:
-# Ask your contact at SPO to give you an ISBN for the new issue of the journal. You will need the ISBN for filenames of files to be submitted to SPO (see below). It is also good practice to include this ISBN somewhere in the book block, such as on the title page verso (with the copyright information). Send your contact the following:
 #* title
 #* volume number
 #* issue number
-# PDF files should be prepared according to the submission guidelines. SPO cannot provide assistance in preparing these files, but SPO has a representative at CreateSpace who is happy to be contacted if you have questions about the preparation procedure not explained in the documentation. Your contact at SPO can provide you with the contact information for the CreateSpace representative.  There are also some helpful resources available from [https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/ Create Space]
+# PDF files should be prepared according to CreateSpace specs for [https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/InteriorPDF.jsp interior PDFs] and [https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/CoverPDF.jsp exterior PDFs]. Note that CreateSpace can provide Microsoft Word templates to help with your typesetting of the interior and a JPEG template for the cover, sized to the book's page count and trim size.  Michigan Publishing cannot provide direct assistance in preparing these files, but can answer questions about the preparation procedure not explained in the documentation. There are also some helpful resources available from [https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/ Create Space]
-# Send the files to your contact at SPO for submission to CreateSpace. These can be sent as email attachments or mailed to SPO on disk, or SPO can download them through FTP. The files should be named as such (where 978123456789x is the ISBN assigned to the issue by SPO):
+# Send the files to your contact at Michigan Publishing for submission to CreateSpace. These can be sent as email attachments or mailed to Michigan Publishing on a CD/DVD, or Michigan Publishing can download them through FTP. The files should be named as such (where 978123456789x is the ISBN assigned to the issue by Michigan Publishing):
 #* 978123456789x.pdf —the PDF for the interior (the "book block")
 #* 978123456789x-cover.pdf — the PDF for the cover
@@ Line 59: / Line 45: @@
 #*** last name/initial
 #*** suffix
-#** short description
 #** additional contributors (names broken down as above)
 #** subtitle as it should appear in the Amazon catalog (optional)
 #** volume number
-#** page color: white or off-white
+#** interior style: black & white or full color, with or without bleeds (Note: covers are always printed in color.)
-#** trim size (in inches or millimeters)
+#** page color: white or cream (Note: cream paper is not an option for books with color interiors)
-#** cover price (if using option B above)
+#** trim size (in inches)
-#** page count
+#** one applicable BISAC subject heading (this refers to a [https://www.bisg.org/complete-bisac-subject-headings-2013-edition list of subject headings used by booksellers])
-#** interior style: black & white, full color, or black & white with color insets
+#** short description:
-#** author first name
+#*** cannot exceed 4,000 characters
-#** author last name
+#*** cannot contain phone numbers, addresses (mailing or e-mail), website URLs, reviews, quotes, testimonials, or time-sensitive information
+#** optional:
+#*** author biography
+#*** search keywords (up to five)
+# If any print copies are desired, specify the quantity and shipping address, and your contact will email you the printing cost and estimated shipping for your approval. If you are within the University of Michigan, you may reimburse Michigan Publishing for the printing and shipping costs using a departmental shortcode. If you are outside the University, you will be invoiced for the amount due. The invoice may be paid by check (from US banks only), wire transfer, money order, or credit card. Once the invoice is paid, your contact at Michigan Publishing will order the print copies on your behalf.
+# Once the item is available for sale, Michigan Publishing staff will add a link from Michigan Publishing's online version of the journal content to the specific item on Amazon.com.
-#** one applicable BISAC subject heading (this refers to a list of subject headings used by booksellers, available [http://www.bisg.org/what-we-do-0-136-bisac-subject-headings-list-major-subjects---2009-edition.php here]
+(Note to staff: see node 1145 in the intranet.)
-#: If any sample or complimentary copies are desired, specify the number and whether you require an invoice for this amount.
-# Your contact at SPO will set the issue up to be printed and sold. If sample or complimentary copies are requested, your contact will calculate the cost and invoice you (if you require it). The amount due may be paid by check (from US banks only), wire transfer, money order, or credit card. Once the invoice is paid, your contact at SPO will order the sample or complimentary copies on your behalf.
-Once the item is available for sale, SPO will add a link from SPO's online version of the journal content to the item for sale on Amazon.
+<analytics uacct="UA-20101573-2" ></analytics>

Print-on-demand publishing through CreateSpace

From MPublishing

Current revision

Contents

[edit] Printing capabilities

[edit] Print copies

[edit] Revenue model

[edit] Procedure

Views

Personal tools

Navigation

Search

Toolbox