Direct Shipping Solutions for Authors: Print-on-Demand and Fulfillment Services

As an author, you often face the challenge of how to efficiently and cost-effectively ship your books to your customers. Fortunately, various printing services and fulfillment houses offer solutions to streamline this process. This guide will explore popular options like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Lulu, Blurb, BookBaby, and Draft2Digital, along with tips for selecting the best service for your needs.

Selecting a Print-on-Demand Service

When considering a print-on-demand (POD) service, you need to weigh factors such as printing quality, shipping times, and costs. POD services allow authors to publish books and manage orders remotely, without the need to handle inventory.

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)
Amazon KDP is a well-known POD service, primarily popular for eBooks, but also offers options for paperback books. You can set up your book for sale on Amazon, and they handle the printing and shipping directly to customers. This service is particularly convenient if you primarily target the Amazon marketplace.

IngramSpark
IngramSpark offers a comprehensive suite of services for authors, including print-on-demand and distribution. You can print your books and distribute them to various retailers and libraries, while IngramSpark handles shipping to customers. This service is ideal if you want broader distribution channels.

Lulu
Lulu provides print-on-demand services and the option to sell your books through their platform. They handle both printing and shipping directly to your customers, making it easier to manage orders from various sources.

Blurb
Blurb specializes in high-quality photo books, trade books, and magazines. They offer print-on-demand and direct shipping options, making them a good choice for visually oriented content.

BookBaby
BookBaby provides a range of printing and distribution options for authors, including direct shipping to customers. This service is suitable for authors who prefer a personalized approach to their product management.

Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital is primarily an eBook distributor but also offers print-on-demand services. They can ship directly to customers, making it a flexible option for authors who need both eBook and print options.

Understanding Fulfillment Services

If you prefer not to manage shipping and fulfillment yourself, consider looking into fulfillment houses. These services handle the process of keeping track of products in a warehouse and shipping them out upon sale.

When choosing a fulfillment house, ensure they can provide rates for shipping your book so you can bill customers for shipping and handling upfront. Get quotes for local and non-standard delivery areas (e.g., Alaska, Guam) to avoid last-minute surprises.

Benefits of Fulfillment Services
1. No need for warehousing: Many fulfillment services offer storage solutions, alleviating the necessity for keeping books in your garage or another storage space.

2. Financial Management: Fulfillment houses often provide upfront billing, allowing you to receive payment before shipping is completed.

3. Shipping Efficiency: They streamline the shipping process, ensuring you can quote the whole order and avoid additional calls to the shipper for updates.

While fulfillment services can cost more for smaller quantities, they are still more cost-effective than self-warehousing and shipping. If you opt for this route, consider setting up a US Postal Service account to print labels and postage from your office and schedule pickups.

Payment Considerations
Fulfillment houses may require a deposit upon agreeing to the terms. This is particularly true for new businesses. Ensure you understand these terms before committing to a service.

By carefully selecting a print-on-demand service or fulfilling orders through a reliable fulfillment house, you can focus on your writing while letting the experts handle the logistics of getting your book to your readers. Whether you choose Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or another provider, the key is to assess your needs and find the service that best supports your business goals.