Today you can become an independent publisher in a variety of ways ranging from offset printing to producing an ebook. Should you choose to self-publish your blogged book, it’s important to understand all your options. This will help you avoid publishing your book in a manner that doesn’t suit your needs or your wallet.
For this reason, my next series of posts discusses the different ways you can self-publish your book. We begin with offset printing, known as “true” self-publishing.
What is Offset Printing?
Offset printing of books is the type of printing done on a sheet-fed press that print from sheets of paper. Offset presses also produce newspapers and magazines. According to Wikipedia, this type of press transfers (or “offsets”) the inked image from a plate to a rubber blanket and then to the printing surface. When used in combination with the lithographic process, which is based on the repulsion of oil and water, the offset technique employs a flat (planographic) image carrier on which the image to be printed obtains ink from ink rollers, while the non-printing area attracts a water-based film, which keeps the non-printing areas ink-free. Offset printing is efficient, fast, inexpensive, and high quality.
DIY Publishing
Using an offset printer to self-publish a book is known as “real” or “true” self-publishing because you do everything yourself. If you enjoy DIY projects, this method is for you. It also can be more cost effective but time intensive.
With offset printing, you must hire all the subcontractors yourself. This includes editors, designers, proofreaders, printers, and distributors. You also will need to purchase large quantities of books to make the price per book affordable.
You will develop your own imprint, or company name, when you use an offset printer. This means you set up your own publishing company and purchase your own ISBN numbers. The name of your company will be printed on the spine of your books and on the copyright page.
Books in Your Basement
When you hear stories of authors having boxes and boxes of books in their garage or basement, they have used offset printers to produce their books. If they are handing all orders and shipping all the books or making arrangements to get them to a distributor, they have used an offset printer.
Most indie authors don’t choose to use offset printers any longer. There are other ways to create a publishing company, print high-quality, inexpensive books without having to worry about storing or distributing inventory. Yet, some writers like learning every aspect of what it means to publish books. If that describes you, you will want to seek out a good offset printer for your completed blogged book.
Photo courtesy of Serezniy | 123RF Stock Photo
I like how you put everything so plainly and clearly, Nina. I have absolutely no desire to store any inventory in my house and dothe shipping on my own. However,I still like learning about the process.
Amanda,
There are other options. I’ll be writing about them in other posts. And you can, of course, keep learning!