What is print on demand?
Print on Demand (POD) is a business model that lets you create, print, and sell custom products without the hassle of inventory management or upfront costs. Mixam only produces books when a customer places an order, and we handle the printing, packing, and shipping. It’s a flexible, eco-friendly, and cost-effective way to earn passive income, so whether you’re publishing your first book or growing your body of work, POD lets you scale on your terms risk-free.
Before getting started with PrintLink, open a Mixam account so you can securely access and monitor your publications. We also recommend reading our Book Printing Guide for a comprehensive overview of how to print with us.
Print on Demand vs Bulk Printing
| Bulk Printing | Print on Demand | |
| Description | Books are printed in large quantities and delivered to the creator, who handles storage and distribution. | Books are printed upon order placement and delivered directly to customers. |
| Pros |
▪ Lower cost per unit for large quantities ▪ Best for large print runs ▪ Complete control over inventory and shipping ▪ A variety of customisation options are available |
▪ No upfront costs ▪ No inventory management ▪ No risk of unsold stock ▪ No minimum order quantity ▪ No bulk purchasing ▪ Competitively priced ▪ Automatic order fulfilment ▪ Eco-friendly print option |
| Cons |
▪ Storage space required ▪ Higher upfront costs ▪ Labour-intensive ▪ Risk of unsold stock |
▪ Less intervention in handling and product monitoring ▪ Limited products and specifications available |
| Use | Bulk printing is for those with predictable demand who can manage storage and logistics. | POD is for those who want to monetise their books and prefer a hands-off approach. It’s also suitable for those who want to test the market with new products. Unlike other POD platforms, Mixam provides a shareable book URL and landing page, allowing publishers to sell directly without relying on a marketplace. |
How is PrintLink different?
- Exceptional Print Quality
- Track Sales in Real Time
- Adjust Pricing Anytime
- Fast Setup
- Fast Shipping
- Free Shareable Virtual Flipbook
- Range of Print Options
- Customisable Product Pages
- Customisable URLs
- Create Book Bundles and Series
- Book Genre Categorisation Tool
- Email Collection Tool
- No ISBN Required
Now that you’ve learned about print on demand, you can start Comparing Your Print Options.
