The print-on-demand market has reached approximately $12.4 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at an extraordinary 25-27% annual growth rate, reaching up to $75 billion by 2033. This represents one of the fastest-growing segments in publishing technology.

How to dive into one of the last remaining “deep blue oceans” in the publishing and book trade market.

Publishers find new path to print revenue through on-demand production

When the digital publishing boom began, many independent publishers built their businesses entirely around electronic distribution. But a significant shift is now well-established: print-on-demand technology is becoming globally available and more sophisticated than ever, allowing publishers to produce books only when they are ordered, reducing waste and storage costs while making print publishing more sustainable.

This transformation reflects a broader shift in publishing economics, where print-on-demand (PoD) technology is dismantling traditional barriers between digital and physical book markets. The implications for book publishers - both digital publishers and print publishers - across English-speaking markets are profound, offering new revenue streams without the capital risks that once made print publishing prohibitive.

Breaking down traditional publishing barriers

Evidently, the conventional publishing model has long required substantial upfront investments in printing, warehousing, and distribution infrastructure. E-book publishers, many of whom entered the market specifically to avoid these capital requirements, found themselves locked out of the still-significant print market. In the United States alone, print books, according to Publishing Perspectives, generated $7.1 billion in revenue in 2024, representing roughly 80% of total book sales despite the digital revolution.

Print-on-demand technology gradually alters this equation. Instead of printing thousands of copies and hoping for sales, publishers can offer print editions that are produced individually at the point of sale which may be an online shop or a traditional local bookseller who, on customers’ orders, can order the item at his wholesaler’s PoD center.

This approach eliminates inventory risk, reduces capital requirements, and opens print distribution channels that were previously accessible only to traditional publishers with substantial resources.

The technology works through integrated systems that automatically process orders from major distribution networks. When customers purchase a print title through retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or independent bookstores served by distributors such as Ingram, the order triggers immediate production at strategically located printing facilities. Books are typically printed, bound, and shipped within 24-48 hours, creating a seamless customer experience while maintaining zero inventory for publishers.

Market expansion across english-speaking territories - and beyond

The geographic reach of PoD networks has expanded dramatically across major English-speaking markets and, indeed, globally. In the United States and Canada, comprehensive distribution networks now connect PoD services with virtually every major bookstore chain and thousands of independent retailers. The integration with established wholesalers ensures that PoD titles appear in standard retail ordering systems, making them indistinguishable from traditionally printed books in terms of availability.

The United Kingdom market presents particularly compelling opportunities, where PoD integration with major chains like Waterstones and WHSmith has reached sophisticated levels. Advanced systems now automatically analyze print specifications and recommend optimal binding formats for different distribution channels, ensuring that books meet retailer requirements while maximizing profit margins for publishers.

Australian and New Zealand markets, despite their smaller size, offer unique advantages for PoD adoption. The geographic isolation that once made traditional print distribution challenging now favors on-demand production, which can serve local markets more efficiently than imported inventory. Regional printing facilities ensure that Australian customers receive locally produced books quickly, while publishers avoid the complexities of international shipping and customs procedures.

Economic advantages beyond risk reduction

While eliminating inventory risk represents the most obvious benefit, PoD offers several subtler economic advantages that particularly benefit publishers. The model enables granular market testing, allowing publishers to experiment with different cover designs, pricing strategies, and format options without committing to large print runs. This flexibility proves especially valuable for backlist titles, where demand patterns may be unpredictable but steady over time.

Revenue transparency represents another significant advantage. Advanced PoD platforms provide detailed analytics showing performance across different distribution channels, enabling publishers to optimize their sales strategies. Publishers can track which titles perform better in specific geographic markets, adjust pricing dynamically, and identify opportunities for targeted marketing campaigns.

The sustainability aspect has also gained importance among publishers and consumers alike. Traditional publishing's overproduction and remainder practices generate significant waste, while PoD produces exactly what customers order. This alignment with environmental consciousness increasingly influences purchasing decisions, particularly among younger demographics who represent a growing segment of book buyers.

Operational integration and automation

Modern PoD platforms-such as Bookwire-have evolved far beyond simple printing services to become comprehensive publishing solutions. Automated systems now handle the technical complexities that once required specialized knowledge, making PoD accessible to publishers regardless of their technical expertise.

File processing automation represents a crucial development. Advanced systems automatically analyze uploaded manuscripts and cover designs, identifying potential printing issues and suggesting corrections. This automation extends to format optimization, where systems can automatically adjust layouts for different trim sizes and binding options, ensuring optimal presentation across various retail channels.

The integration with retail ordering systems has become increasingly sophisticated. Publishers can now manage distribution channel preferences at the title level, choosing which retailers and geographic markets to serve. Some platforms offer automatic pricing adjustments based on local market conditions, competitor analysis, and seasonal demand patterns.

Quality control automation has also advanced significantly. Automated preflight checks identify potential printing problems before production, while integrated proofing systems allow publishers to review physical samples before titles go live. These features reduce the quality concerns that once made publishers hesitant to embrace PoD.

Strategic implications for e-book publishers

The availability of sophisticated PoD solutions creates new strategic options for e-book publishers.

The ability to offer both digital and print editions enhances marketing opportunities. Publishers can leverage the broader appeal of print books to reach readers who prefer physical formats, then convert them to digital customers for future purchases. This cross-format customer acquisition strategy proves particularly effective for series and ongoing author relationships.

For publishers focused on specific niches or genres, PoD enables market expansion without diluting their core digital strategy. Academic publishers, for instance, can offer print editions for institutional libraries while maintaining their primary focus on digital distribution to individual researchers.

The technology also enables new product strategies. Publishers can experiment with premium editions, special covers, or limited releases without the financial risk of traditional printing. These experiments often reveal market segments and price points that weren't apparent in the digital-only landscape.

Future outlook and market evolution

The PoD landscape continues evolving rapidly, with new capabilities emerging regularly. Integration with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning promises further automation and optimization. Predictive analytics could enable publishers to anticipate demand patterns more accurately, while AI-powered design tools might automate cover creation and layout optimization.

The expansion of PoD into additional product categories also creates opportunities for publishers to diversify beyond traditional books. Journals, calendars, and educational materials all benefit from on-demand production, potentially opening new revenue streams for publishers with appropriate content.

As the technology matures and costs continue declining, PoD may eventually challenge traditional printing for all but the highest-volume titles. This evolution would complete the transformation of publishing from a manufacturing-intensive industry to a content-focused service business, fundamentally changing how publishers approach market entry and expansion.

For e-book publishers, this represents not just an opportunity but potentially a necessity. As print-on-demand becomes standard practice, publishers who fail to embrace these capabilities may find themselves at a competitive disadvantage, unable to serve customers who prefer physical books or to access the revenue potential that print markets still represent.

The question is no longer whether e-book publishers should consider print-on-demand, but how quickly they can implement these capabilities to capture emerging opportunities.