What is Print on Demand (POD)?

Print on demand (POD) means that you can have your book printed as and when you require it. It also means that you can have as many as you want. Newsstand specialises in single copy printing but also offers small to medium print runs.

Previously, books had to be printed in large runs in order to keep the unit price down. Not only is this expensive but it also means that stock had to be stored and monitored. With POD, there is no need to have spare copies. When an order is place, your book is printed, bound, and dispatched instantly.

Why should I use POD?

The benefits of using POD include:

• Single copy printing is cost-effective. You can control your costs and risk levels. 

• Storage for your stock is no longer required because we print only the number you require. You do not even have to print your book until it has been purchased!

• After the initial setup costs, printing from the stored digital file of your book works out to be the same whether you want one copy or hundreds.

• POD ensures that your work never has to go out of print.

• When using Newsstand for your printing and publishing needs, you keep all the rights to any of the books you print with us.

• If you wish to make your book titles available for sale through our website, we will process the order and then pay you a predetermined royalty for each book sold.

What machinery does Newsstand Use?

Newsstand produces books using the first U.K. based Espresso Book Machine. It prints, binds, and trims black and white paperback books on demand with 4-color covers.

How do I submit my manuscript or book for printing?

You can upload your digital files through our website. click here

Alternatively, if you prefer to submit your manuscript via the mail, please supply a CD or data pen containing your files.

Will you check my manuscript over for mistakes?

Yes. Newsstand does offer copy-editing services but it is not part of our standard production rates. Your manuscript can be reviewed to check for spelling and grammar mistakes, incorrect caption and punctuation, etc. Any changes suggested will be highlighted for your approval before your book is published.

Who decides the book layout and format?

You control all the aspects of your book. We will offer advice but all the final decisions have to be signed off by yourself before Newsstand prints your book.

I need help with the layout of my book. Will you help with the layout of my book?

Yes. We can help you layout out your text and illustrations to ensure your book satisfies your expectations. We will also offer advice concerning other decisions that need to be made such as what type and size of paper to use, font characteristics, etc.

I do not have a book cover designed. Will you help design my book cover?

Yes. Newsstand can work with artwork you provide. If you do not have a digital copy of your book cover, the existing cover can be scanned and reproduced almost exactly. If you would like a cover designed, we have in-house facilities to help.

What paper do you use?

We normally use between 80 - 100 gsm paper for the internal book pages. For covers we use 210gsm gloss (one sided) paper which provides a great finish to the books we print. In certain circumstances, paper used may need to be changed based on pagination, final weight, and layout dimensions.

What formats/layouts are available?

Newsstand's printing machinery can produce books varying between A6 and A4. The final trim size is dependent on pagination, paper requirements, and final weights.

Is there minimum and maximum number of pages for each book?

Yes. The minimum is 40 pages and the maximum is around 550 pages for a perfect bound book. These guides are influences by layout and paperweight choices as well.

Many times the original book layout can be altered in order to decrease the final number of pages. An option for higher paginated books is to release two volumes.

Who controls the copyright of my book?

You control the copyright of your book from the day we publish the first copy for you. If you want to sell your book through our website, we will pay you a prearranged royalty fee each time a book is purchased. If you want to order a small print run of books, you would purchase them from us at the printing price and you then sell them for whatever price you wish to whom ever.

How many books do I have to print?

There is no minimum and no maximum amount of copies set. Newsstand is happy to print a single copy for you.

Once a book is published, six copies need to be sent to six designated libraries or archives. This is a legal obligation so that works preserved for the British Isles.

What is perfect bound format?

Our paperback books are in perfect-bound format. Glue is applied to the spine of the book and the cover is then pressed and clamped to the book block that generates a perfect bind.

Does Newsstand offer Hardcover books?

All of our books we print are soft cover books. We do not publish wire-o, plasticomb, three-ring, spiral-bound, or hard cover books.

Do I need an ISBN?

There is no legal requirement for your book to have an ISBN but it is essential if you want to expand your distribution options to include other online book companies, bookshops and any other retail outlets.

Do I have to register my ISBN?

If you wish to have an ISBN, Newsstand can provide one for you and will register the number allocated to your book.

Does the ISBN need to be changed is I want to make changes to my book?

If you want to change the format of your book then it is possible that you will require a new ISBN. (Find out more about ISBNs)

Does the ISBN need to be changed if I decide to use Newsstand to print my book from a digital format?

If you decide to use Newsstand to print your book and you do not change your book's format, then you can use your existing ISBN for digital printing.

Can I make changes to my book after it has been printed?

Changes can be made to your book content, content layout, and/or book cover. We will supply you with an estimate for the work required.

If there is an extensive amount of work required, it may be more appropriate to supply us with new files and we would charge a new set-up fee instead.

Who decides the selling price?

You control all the aspects of your book. You can decide what your book's selling price is. Please note that the manufacturing costs will have to be built into this price and an additional delivery charge will be added once a customer purchases the book. Newsstand will offer advice on pricing and make sure everything has been covered.

What happens if I want to change the price of my book?

If you would like to change the price of your book, you can. The only influence Newsstand has on your selling price is the manufacturing costs.

If the price has been incorporated into the book cover, we will need to update the artwork and there may be a small fee for doing so.

Can you provide a bar code for my book?

Yes, we can generate a bar code for your book and incorporate it into you book cover artwork. If you are supplying the book cover artwork, please make sure you leave an area approximately 25mm x 40mm blank so we can insert the bar code.

What format can I submit my manuscript?

Ideally, manuscripts should be submitted through our website as a pdf file (one for the book block and one for the book cover). If you do not want to use the internet or have problems using our website, you can post it to us on CD-ROM or data pen.

We can accept Word documents (MAC or PC) or pdf files. We cannot accept application files from certain programs such as Quark and PageMaker.

If you do not a digital version available, Newsstand can accept other formats including previously printed copies and typed work. Once reviewed, we will let you know whether we can proceed. Additional costs will be charged for work carried out to convert these formats to a digital file.

My book is made up of one then one file. Is that a problem?

Newsstand is able to merge files together and generate one printable file.

Will my final book be the same quality as the original?

Print quality depends on what format you submit your book to Newsstand in. It is best if a digital file is submitted for quality purposes. If Newsstand has to scan your book to generate a digital copy, the quality depends on the quality of the original. If the original copy of your book is not good for reproduction, Newsstand will advice you not to proceed or offer alternative services if available.

How do I pay for publishing or printing my book?

When you setup an account with Newsstand, we will ask you to provide your credit card details and bank details. You will be charged for any services provided. An invoice will be sent your email address supplied in your contact details. You bank account details will be used when royalty payments are due.

Will VAT be added to my invoice?

Books and magazines are not subject to VAT. However, some services provided by Newsstand may be subject to VAT.

How do I get paid royalties?