Print on Demand - What Is Means for Your Print Job

The basic concept of  print-on-demand or POD is that material is printed when there is a need for the material, thus eliminating inventory.  For the most part, POD is a very good system; it allows publishers to reduce the amount of money they have in inventory for items that are not being used.  Print-on-Demand also offers the flexibility of customization.  More generic materials can be easily adapted for a sales rep, region, or industry. In certain parts of the country, the term PQN (print quantity needed) is sometimes used to describe the same system.

Some businesses utilize print-on-demand  in conjunction with "micro-warehousing"  where quantities of materials are stored for immediate shipment and then monitored through computer software programs that keep inventory levels at a set point.  This ensures that there is sufficient quantities available to fulfill orders as they are placed.

Jobs that are produced in the POD process are not effected by quality; POD is more a business model for how that print job is managed. In most cases, due to the smaller quantities involved, digital printing technology is commonly used for print-on-demand, but there are some products and quantities that lend themselves to other types of printing processes.

Helping Publishers to Manage Inventory

In the “old days” before automation, publishers had to place numerous phone calls or engage in a series of email exchanges with their printer to order books, check depleting inventory, and track shipments. For those publishers who utilize the services of multiple printers, house inventory in separate warehouse facilities, and contract with fulfillment companies to handle customer orders, it often developed into a logistical nightmare. 

There are solutions available that can help publishers to control their document production and fulfillment efficiently, and with the benefit of cost savings.  Using a web-to-print software application, it is easy to: 

·        Place an order for materials directly online to be processed and fulfilled automatically

·        Manage books stored in inventory by establishing reorder points to maintain set levels

·        Link directly to current  inventory through a shopping cart connection on publisher/author websites

·        View pending orders, back orders, and canceled orders

·        Monitor  each order  in real  time with instant tracking and shipping notification

·        Obtain customizable reports

By implementing an integrated inventory management system, time-draining tasks associated with manual data entry are eliminated, and the headache of being faced with inventory levels too low to fulfill incoming orders is avoided.  When choosing a software solution, publishers should search for one that can be customized for their specific needs, gives them control over their accounts, can be accessed from any location, and is simple to navigate.