Print-On-Demand Book Companies: Top 10 Services You Should Consider For Your Self-Publishing

Self-publishing has transformed over the past decade, and print-on-demand book companies have become the backbone of this change. Instead of bulk-printing hundreds of copies upfront, authors can now publish professionally bound books with no inventory cost and global reach.

In the blog today, we’ll cover the following points so that authors have the best preparation: 

• Definition of print-on-demand book publishing and compare it to traditional methods

• The benefits of choosing POD for your self-publishing journey.

• A detailed comparison of the 10 best print-on-demand book services.

• Expert tips on how to select the right partner.

• Marketing strategies to maximize POD book sales.

• How to transform your POD book’s sales with Shopify + GemPages.

By the end, you will have the knowledge and confidence to choose the best print-on-demand companies for books and start building your author brand on your own without extensive skills. 

Right now, let’s get into it!

A Summary of Print-On-Demand (POD) Book Publishing

What is print-on-demand book publishing? 

Print-on-demand is a model in which a product is only manufactured after an order has been placed. This process helps eliminate the need for large, upfront print runs and inventory storage. 

This is also similar to the POD book publishing: a book is only printed after an order is placed. 

When a customer buys a book from your online store or a retail platform, the print-on-demand book company confirms this order, prints a single copy, and ships it directly to the customer. This streamlined system minimizes financial risk, ensures professional-quality printing, and makes publishing accessible to independent authors and small and medium-sized publishers. 

Print-On-Demand vs. Traditional (Offset) publishing 

Traditional offset printing requires a significant upfront investment. You have to print a large quantity of books, often thousands of copies, meaning a high initial cost and the risk of unsold inventory. This model is often reserved for established authors with a guaranteed readership.

On the other hand, POD requires no minimum order quantity. It’s perfect for new authors testing the waters, niche topics with a smaller audience, or anyone who wants to avoid the financial risk and logistical hassle of managing inventory. The key difference is in the cost structure and risk: traditional has high upfront costs and risk, while POD has low upfront costs and minimal risk. 

Learn more: 

• Top 11 Print-on-Demand Companies for Shopify

• 26 Best Selling Print-on-Demand Products

The Benefits of Selling Print-On-Demand Books

Working with print-on-demand book companies gives authors, publishers, and entrepreneurs a modern path to publishing that removes a broad range of barriers found in traditional printing. Instead of worrying about bulk orders, warehouse fees, and upfront costs, authors can focus on reaching readers while their POD partner handles the production. Here are the key advantages:  

1. Easy to enter

The barrier to entry for self-publishing has never been lower. With print-on-demand book services, you don't need a publishing deal or a huge budget. All you need is a finished manuscript and a cover design. This makes it a friendly, accessible space for first-time authors.

2. Cost efficiency

This is perhaps the most significant and apparent benefit of leveraging the innovation of POD. Unlike traditional publishing, where you pay for a large print run whether the books sell or not, POD services only charge you for what you produce. This pay-per-unit model means you only incur a cost when an actual sale is made, which is critical to optimizing your long-term finances. 

3. Automated workflow

Once you've set up your book with a print-on-demand book company and connected it to your sales channels, the process is largely automated. An order comes in, the book is printed, and it's shipped to the customer without you having to lift a finger. This automation is a time-saver. 

On the most popular eCommerce platforms like Shopify, solo sellers and businesses can easily integrate the top-rated POD apps like Printify, CJ Dropshipping, and Zendrop into their stores. Every order is automatically synced, fulfilled, and tracked. You don’t need to manage inventory, handle packaging, or coordinate shipping logistics; the all-in-one Shopify system helps do it all.

4. Global reach 

Many of the top POD companies have global printing networks. This means your book can be printed in a facility closest to your customer, reducing shipping expenses and delivery times. With the same setup, you can sell to readers in the UK, Australia, the US, Europe, and beyond.

Let’s examine how Gelato can empower this aspect: The company can deliver POD books to 200+ countries, has local production in 32 countries, and partners with 140+ print suppliers. That’s why Gelato is a go-to POD service, together with Printify and Corando, for varied sectors. 

5. Retail access 

POD providers often have an extensive distribution network, from authors to major retailers, libraries, and bookstores. For example, IngramSpark and Blurb allow for direct working with booksellers and wholesalers, making it more accessible to sell your books in many retail stores. This can strengthen credibility, increase sales opportunities, and maximize your sales channels.  

Learn more: 5+ Shopify Print on Demand Apps in 2025: An Honest Review

10 Best Print On Demand Book Companies Compared

Before discussing the top 10 print-on-demand book companies in detail, let’s take a look at our quick comparison table. It is designed to give you a snapshot of each company’s core strengths. From that, you can quickly compare and identify which provider might best fit your demands.  

Note: 

• Most days mentioned should be the business days, not including the weekend.  

• The royalties are often flexible, based on the type of distribution and where to distribute. 

#1. Lulu Direct

Lulu Direct allows for integrating both Shopify and WooCommerce for direct sales 

Quality of printing: Good, but sometimes has inconsistencies with bleed-through/ page wraps. 

Costs, royalties, and distribution: 

• Per-book profits are calculated using Lulu’s Pricing Calculator.

• High printing fee and shipping fee, plus fixed fulfillment fee ($1.75)

• At least 50% of royalties and up to 100% for self-publishing on your own store. 

• A global distribution for books with registered ISBNs in the Latin language. 

• Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and online retailers. 

Production time: 3-5 days

Supporting formats: Paperback, hardcover, eBooks, and photo books. 

Takeaways: 

Lulu Direct is an ideal choice for authors who want to sell directly to their audience and maintain complete control over their brand and profits. Its robust Shopify and WooCommerce integration make it one of the best POD book services, but its high printing price should be a consideration. 

#2. Blurb 

Blurb is a go-to print-on-demand book company for premium-quality photo books and children’s book printing

Quality of printing: Premium printing quality (cover colors, text, visuals, and orientations). 

Costs, royalties, and distribution: 

• Per-book profits are calculated using Blurb’s Pricing Calculator. 

• Relatively high printing fee and the additional fee required for removing the Blurb logo. 

• Custom prices for extensive order services of 100+ books. 

• Volume discounts from 20% to 25% for 10-19 to 50-99 books, respectively. 

• 2 Distribution options: Global Retail Network and Blurb Direct Sales. 

• A recommended 55% wholesale discount for global distributions. 

Production time: 5 days

Supporting formats: Magazines, trade books, photobooks, notebooks, and eBooks.

Takeaways: 

Many authors recommend Blurb for its top-tier print quality and unique, perfect format options. It’s a go-to solution for children’s books with rich illustrations, professionals creating branded publications, or writers producing personal keepsakes rather than large-scale commercial sales. 

Learn more: 11 Best Shopify Wholesale Apps to Boost Sales and Simplify Your Operations 

#3. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) 

Amazon KDP is the print-on-demand book service empowered by Amazon

Quality of printing: Good but variable seasonally across KDP Print’s facilities. 

Costs, royalties, and distribution: 

• Belonging to the lowest printing cost range

• 60% of the royalties are for Amazon marketplaces, and 40% are for non-Amazon ones. 

• Earnings = 2x-3x higher than competitors. 

Production time: 3-10 days for self-publishing or Amazon Live updating. 

Supporting formats: Paperback, hardcover, and ebook series. 

Takeaways: 

Amazon KDP is a top print-on-demand book company for authors thanks to its low costs, simple setup, high royalties, and instant access to Amazon’s vast marketplace across many countries. While it’s ideal for reaching a broad audience quickly, pairing it with another POD service can expand your reach to brick-and-mortar stores and non-Amazon retailers with higher flexibility.  

#4. IngramSpark 

IngramSpark enables an extensive global distribution network, from retailers to wholesalers

Quality of printing: Standard (including cream-colored and white paper stocks). 

Costs, royalties, and distribution: 

• A market access fee of 1.5% of the list price on IngramSpark’s distribution network.  

• Wholesaler discount of 40% to 55%. 

• Per-book profits are calculated using IngramSpark’s pricing calculator. 

• Access to a massive distribution of 45,000+ libraries, educators, retailers, and more. 

Production time: 3-5 days for paperback and 7-10 days for hardcover. 

Supporting formats: eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers (with a range of binding options). 

Takeaways: 

If you want to sell in both online marketplaces and physical bookstores, IngramSpark stands out as the strongest choice. Its unmatched distribution network and reasonable pricing make profitability possible, but you’ll need to navigate its sluggish platform and lengthy review times.

#5. BookBaby

BookBaby offers excellent print-on-demand services for audiobooks

Quality of printing: Excellent, with meticulous processes (G7 certification). 

Costs, royalties, and distribution: 

• 100% of profits for self-distributing on your eCommerce store. 

• BookBaby Bookshop ($199 & 50% royalties)

• Global Distribution Network ($399): Amazon, Books-A-Million, Powell’s, Barnes & Noble, and 50+ other retailers and wholesalers. 

• Printed books (50% royalties), audiobooks (75%), and eBooks (85%). 

Production time: 2-5 days

Supporting formats: Audiobooks, paperbacks, eBooks, and hardbacks. 

Takeaways: 

If you prefer a flexible royalty for diverse types of books and distribution channels, let’s consider BookBaby. While the company offers editing services for proofreading, editing, and synopsis writing, its support is not truly satisfactory, and some previous clients have reported inconsistent communication, delays in project delivery, and underwhelming results compared to the expense. 

#6. Draft2Digital

Draft2Digital is an ideal alternative to IngramSpark, but does not allow for book return

Quality of printing: Similar to Ingram. 

Costs, royalties, and distribution: 

• The fee is about 10% and a fixed 45% royalty rate. 

• Per-book profits are calculated using Draft2Digital’s Print Copy Calculator. 

• No book return program. 

Production time: 2-4 days

Supporting formats: eBook with 6 standard trim sizes

Takeaways: 

Draft2Digital Print is a print-on-demand book company for authors who value Ingram’s printing quality and expansive distribution but prefer a more intuitive interface. That said, as the service heavily relies on Ingram’s infrastructure, issues within that network may take longer to resolve. Another limitation is the lack of hardcover choices, which is not excellent for publishing projects.

#7. Gelato

Gelato is the top-rated POD Shopify app for both global and local distribution

Quality of printing: Good, especially for color fidelity, finishes, and binding options. 

Costs, royalties, and distribution: 

• No fixed “royalty” model 

• Pricing is pay-as-you-go: you pay for production + shipping. 

• Subscription tiers (Gelato & Gelato Gold) for discounts (up to 25%) and premium tools. 

• Distribution is what you arrange yourself (e.g., via Shopify, Etsy, your website). 

Production time: 2-4 days

Supporting formats: Photobooks, planners, notebooks, and journals. 

Takeaways: 

Gelato’s global footprint and local printing approach reduce shipping costs and speed delivery. However, it lacks a built-in royalty/distribution infrastructure for typical trade books, and quality cannot be consistent. Someone cautions about weak support: low communication and reliability. 

#8. Printify

Printify POD platform is famous for books, as well as other eCommerce merchandise

Quality of printing: Good or acceptable. 

Costs, royalties, and distribution: 

• No fixed “royalty” model.

• Pricing is pay-as-you-go: you pay for production + shipping. 

• A free tier and a Premium plan ($29/month) that gives discounts on production costs. 

• Distribution is via whatever channels you integrate (Esty, Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.).

• Don’t allow for a bookseller or wholesale network built in. 

Production time: 2-7 days

Supporting formats: Journals, notebooks, and hardcovers.  

Takeaways: 

If you want to expand beyond books into merch and stationery items, Pritify will be a great deal. It’s flexible and integrates well with diverse platforms. But as a “book publisher,” it’s limited: you can’t rely on Printify alone for trade book distribution or support for extensive binding options. 

Learn more: Top 7+ Best AI Print-On-Demand Tools To Leverage

#9. Contrado

Contrado focuses more on premium POD notebooks, scrapbooks, and guest books

Quality of printing: Excellent with premium materials and craftsmanship. 

Costs, royalties, and distribution: 

• No fixed “royalty” model.

• Pricing is pay-as-you-go: you pay for production + shipping. 

• Printing prices are higher than average. 

• A commission-based system to earn a percentage of the final sale price, from 25%. 

• Direct sales on your own websites through eCommerce integrations. 

Production time: 3-5 days

Supporting formats: Portfolios, guest books, notebooks, scrapbooks, and photo albums. 

Takeaways: 

Contrado, a top-rated print-on-demand book company, is great for authors who want to offer highly customized, premium, and artful prints. Its material quality, design freedom, and boutique feel are strong, but pricing is high, and technical issues with Shopify integrations are drawbacks. 

#10. Bookvault

Bookvault leads the POD book services in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia

Quality of printing: Reliably professional for color production and interior formatting. 

Costs, royalties, and distribution: 

• A one-time title setup fee of $24.95 and a free charge for customer support. 

• Flexible royalty structure, from 40% to 90%, and 100% for your direct website sales. 

• Distribution: The Great British Book Shop’s network, Amazon, Adlibris, and Gardners. 

• Best for the UK-only printing, while the US, Canada, and Australia limit binding options. 

Production time: 5-7 days for standard printing, and 15 days for Bookvault Bespoke orders. 

Supporting formats: Paperbacks and hardbacks 

Takeaways: 

BookVault is a strong print-on-demand book service for authors focused on eCommerce sales, especially in the UK and expanding in the US, Canada, and Australia. With competitive pricing and a creator-friendly model, it’s well-suited for authors who already have an engaged audience.

How To Select The Right Print-On-Demand Book Service

Choosing a POD partner is a critical decision that can impact your success. Beyond the list of print-on-demand book companies, you need to evaluate each one based on your specific goals. Here’s a breakdown of the aspects to consider when finding an exemplary POD book service.

1. Clarify their printing and delivery process

Different POD providers use different printing technologies, paper stocks, and binding options. Before committing, let’s ask for samples to evaluate print quality, cover finishes, and durability. 

Don’t forget to consider production times: while some providers ship within 2-3 days, others take 7-15 days. If your audience is global, it’s recommended to look for print-on-demand book services with multiple printing facilities to shorten delivery times and reduce shipping expenses.  

2. Decide what kind of book to print

Not all POD companies support every book format. For instance, KDP and IngramSpark excel at traditional paperbacks and hardcovers, while Blurb focuses on books with compelling visuals. 

If you’re publishing a children’s picture book, art portfolio, or cookbook, you’ll need a service with premium color printing. Meanwhile, authors aiming to produce journals or office supply products may be better suited to POD platforms with flexible options, like Printify and Contrado. 

Let’s start by defining your book type and audience, then match it with the provider’s strengths.

3. Check their payment and commissions policies 

Your profitability depends on how royalties are structured. Some platforms take a significant cut per book sold, while others let you keep 100% of the margin on direct sales. Hidden fees like setup costs, distribution fees, or higher-than-average shipping costs also impact the final profit.    

Thus, you need to use the calculators provided by print-on-demand book companies to project earnings before you publish a book on online retailing channels, wholesalers, or marketplaces. Don’t overlook subscription options that can reduce per-unit costs when ordering large volumes.

4. Consider their potential, reputation, and connections

Your POD partner is not a book printer; it’s a business ally. That’s why researching whether they have connections with major distributors like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Gardners, and if they reach libraries, educators, international bookstores, or eCommerce platforms, is truly essential. 

You can read reviews from Trustpilot or Reddit to understand how they handle customer service, especially with order errors, returns, or shipping issues. In fact, established companies in POD books with strong reputations, like IngramSpark, Luludirect, or Blurb, may give you a safer path. However, they can’t do well all the time and for all customers; thus, let’s consider this selectively.

Learn more: Personalized Print On Demand: Why Should We Implement & Effective Strategies  

Marketing Strategies For Print-On-Demand Books

Publishing your book with print-on-demand book companies is only the first phase of your plan. To truly succeed, you need a marketing plan that builds visibility, attracts readers, and generates steady sales. Below are four proven strategies every self-published author should implement.

Strategy #1. Establish a strong online store presence

Relying only on Amazon or other third-party retailers can limit your creative control, reduce profit margins through listing fees, and make you dependent on a single platform. By creating your eCommerce store, you gain full ownership of your branding, customer data, and pricing strategy.

Shopify offers a range of themes (free and paid), including ones for POD products

Most leading eCommerce platforms, like Shopify, offer customizable POD themes and a clean dashboard to enable a high-converting storefront and showcase your book catalog easily. Additionally, you can integrate your store with print-on-demand book services listed above through their apps, like Lulu Direct, Bookvault, and Printify, so orders are automatically fulfilled. 

Learn more: Print on Demand Website Templates: Best Store Examples

Strategy #2. Captivate readers with visual book covers

A book cover is your most important marketing tool. It’s the very first impression a reader has of your work, often determining whether they’ll click “buy” or scroll past. In a crowded marketplace, a striking, tailored book cover is genuinely the deciding factor between discovery and invisibility.

For example, romance novels often feature warm tones and character imagery; thrillers lean toward darker colors and bold typography; and children prefer bright colors and funny visuals. Readers instinctively look at these, so the cover should speak the visual language of your niche.

Strategy #3. Leverage the power of social media and partnerships

Social media is one of the most effective tools for building visibility around your POD books. Common platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and LinkedIn give you direct access to readers without relying solely on traditional channels. You can share behind-the-scenes content, like your writing process, sneak peeks of upcoming chapters, inspirations, and cover reveals. 

Utilizing social media channels (e.g., Pinterest) to promote your books is a crucial marketing strategy

Beyond organic posting, you can build credibility and amplify reach by collaborating with others in your niche. Book bloggers, “Bookstagrammers,” BookTok creators, and niche influencers already have communities that trust their recommendations. Partnering with them via reviews, sponsored posts, or live sessions can put your book in front of thousands of potential readers. 

Strategy #4. Encourage book reviews and word-of-mouth (WOM)

Reviews are the social proof that can make or break a book’s success. On platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads, a higher number of genuine reviews can help boost credibility and increase your book’s visibility in search rankings and recommendation algorithms.

So, what should we do? Let’s start by encouraging your early readers, beta readers, or ARC (Advance Review Copy) team to leave honest reviews as soon as your POD book launches. You can include a polite review request at the end of your book, in your author newsletter, or on social media posts. Even short, simple reviews help build momentum and retarget your visitors. 

Kickstart Your POD Book Sales With Shopify + GemPages

If you don’t want to start paying listing fees for a print-on-demand book company, why don’t you think about working with a powerful eCommerce platform and create direct sales on your store?

Shopify is a popular eCommerce platform, with many powerful features, a robust app system, and themes to start a POD book store on your own

Shopify is an all-in-one platform that offers a variety of functionalities, AI features, and scalability to build and manage a new POD store from scratch. It is trusted by established POD brands, such as Tumblewed TexStyles, Sanrio, Mid Century, Beloved, Wander Prints, and Mythical. 

Shopify has an extensive app ecosystem that allows you to seamlessly integrate with top print-on-demand book companies (e.g., Printify and Gelato) and marketplaces (e.g., Amazon). This means you can control everything from one dashboard. When a customer places an order, it's sent to your POD partner for printing and shipping, creating a hands-free fulfillment process.

As mentioned in the previous part, a standout Shopify website design is especially important. This is where GemPages, Shopify’s #1 page builder, comes into play. Built to work seamlessly with the Shopify Admin Dashboard, GemPages empower authors, writers, and publishers with:

• Drag-and-drop builder to design product pages and landing pages without coding.

• 200+ CRO templates and GemAI to save time in designing and optimizing a bookstore. 

• Integration with optimization tools like Gem X for A/B testing, Kaching Bundle Quantity Breaks for boosting AOV, TrustShop for product reviews, and Retainful for emails/SMS. 

• Dedicated customer support and affordable pricing plans for every budget.  

Conclusion

The world of self-publishing has been reshaped by the innovation of print-on-demand book companies. With a growing number of reliable and high-quality services, authors now have the freedom to bypass traditional barriers and bring their stories to the world. By carefully comparing the POD services above, we hope that you can select the best fit for your self-publishing needs. Don’t forget to take control of your store design and performance to engage visitors effectively.

Read GemPages’s blogs to learn how to succeed with Shopify and eCommerce from experts!     

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