Print-on-demand publishing through CreateSpace

From MPublishing

(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
(added Google Analytics code)
(SPO --> MPublishing; rewrote to use new revenue model)
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.
+
MPublishing 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.
-
For these serial publications, SPO acts as a broker between CreateSpace, 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, MPublishing acts as a broker between CreateSpace, a print-on-demand printer owned by Amazon, and the journal, book series editor, or individual author (the publishing partner). These publications are sold on MPublishing's account with CreateSpace and are submitted to CreateSpace by MPublishing staff with an ISBN assigned (and paid for) by MPublishing.
-
 
+
-
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.
+
-
 
+
-
Below is a more detailed description of printing capabilities and costs, as well as instructions for SPO's publishing partners that edit serial publications.
+
-
 
+
-
= Printing capabilities =
+
-
 
+
-
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).
+
-
 
+
-
= Setup and manufacturing cost =
+
-
 
+
-
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.
+
-
 
+
-
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.
+
<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>
<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>
-
<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>
+
Items are included in the Amazon catalog, and links are provided from MPublishing'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 through MPublishing.
-
= Sample and complimentary copies =
+
Below is a more detailed description of printing capabilities and costs, as well as instructions for MPublishing's publishing partners.
-
SPO can order sample and complimentary copies on behalf of publishing partners at the cost of manufacturing plus shipping.
+
== Printing capabilities ==
-
= Sale price =
+
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).
-
 
+
-
There are two options for setting the retail price of each copy.
+
-
== A. SPO sets the price ==
+
== Sample and complimentary copies ==
-
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.
+
MPublishing can order sample and complimentary copies on behalf of publishing partners at the cost of manufacturing plus shipping.
-
== B. Publishing partner sets the price ==
+
== Revenue model ==
-
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.
+
As in our agreements for POD printing, MPublishing sets the sale price of each item for sale. Publishing partners receive 50% of revenue (not of the total sale price, which includes the cost of manufacture and Amazon's profit).
-
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.
+
In the past, MPublishing 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]].
-
= Procedure =
+
== 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:
+
Our publishing partners are responsible for providing MPublishing 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:
+
# Ask your contact at MPublishing 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 MPublishing (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
#* title
#* volume number
#* volume number
#* issue 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 the submission guidelines. MPublishing cannot provide assistance in preparing these files, but MPublishing 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 MPublishing 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]
-
# 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 MPublishing for submission to CreateSpace. These can be sent as email attachments or mailed to MPublishing on disk, or MPublishing can download them through FTP. The files should be named as such (where 978123456789x is the ISBN assigned to the issue by MPublishing):
#* 978123456789x.pdf —the PDF for the interior (the "book block")
#* 978123456789x.pdf —the PDF for the interior (the "book block")
#* 978123456789x-cover.pdf — the PDF for the cover
#* 978123456789x-cover.pdf — the PDF for the cover
Line 71: Line 55:
#*** search keywords (up to five)
#*** search keywords (up to five)
#: If any sample or complimentary copies are desired, specify the number and whether you require an invoice for this amount.
#: 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. (Note to staff: see node 1145 in the intranet.)  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.
+
# Your contact at MPublishing will set the issue up to be printed and sold. (Note to staff: see node 1145 in the intranet.)  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 MPublishing 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.
+
Once the item is available for sale, MPublishing staff will add a link from MPublishing's online version of the journal content to the item for sale on Amazon.
<analytics uacct="UA-20101573-2" ></analytics>
<analytics uacct="UA-20101573-2" ></analytics>

Revision as of 13:52, 3 March 2011

MPublishing 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.

For these serial publications, MPublishing acts as a broker between CreateSpace, a print-on-demand printer owned by Amazon, and the journal, book series editor, or individual author (the publishing partner). These publications are sold on MPublishing's account with CreateSpace and are submitted to CreateSpace by MPublishing staff with an ISBN assigned (and paid for) by MPublishing.

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.

Items are included in the Amazon catalog, and links are provided from MPublishing'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 through MPublishing.

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

Contents

Printing capabilities

CreateSpace can print items in a 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).

Sample and complimentary copies

MPublishing can order sample and complimentary copies on behalf of publishing partners at the cost of manufacturing plus shipping.

Revenue model

As in our agreements for POD printing, MPublishing sets the sale price of each item for sale. Publishing partners receive 50% of revenue (not of the total sale price, which includes the cost of manufacture and Amazon's profit).

In the past, MPublishing offered other revenue models to publishing partners. If you have an agreement using one of these models, you'll find separate information for you.

Procedure

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

  1. Ask your contact at MPublishing 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 MPublishing (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
  2. PDF files should be prepared according to the submission guidelines. MPublishing cannot provide assistance in preparing these files, but MPublishing 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 MPublishing can provide you with the contact information for the CreateSpace representative. There are also some helpful resources available from Create Space
  3. Send the files to your contact at MPublishing for submission to CreateSpace. These can be sent as email attachments or mailed to MPublishing on disk, or MPublishing can download them through FTP. The files should be named as such (where 978123456789x is the ISBN assigned to the issue by MPublishing):
    • 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
      • short description
      • 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 (Note: covers are always printed in color.)
      • page color: white or off-white
      • trim size (in inches or millimeters)
      • one applicable BISAC subject heading (this refers to a list of subject headings used by booksellers, available here
      • optional:
        • author biography
        • search keywords (up to five)
    If any sample or complimentary copies are desired, specify the number and whether you require an invoice for this amount.
  4. Your contact at MPublishing will set the issue up to be printed and sold. (Note to staff: see node 1145 in the intranet.) 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 MPublishing will order the sample or complimentary copies on your behalf.

Once the item is available for sale, MPublishing staff will add a link from MPublishing's online version of the journal content to the item for sale on Amazon.

Retrieved from "http://wiki.publishing.umich.edu/Print-on-demand_publishing_through_CreateSpace"
Personal tools