PoD Setup
11 Printshop
| Printshop staff, as the experts who fill printing orders, are important contributors to the planning and setup of an open textbook PoD service. |
The campus-based printshop is the on-the-ground workhorse that makes an open textbook print on demand possible. Its staff not only print open textbooks, but possess the skills to handle equipment and technology, know the process to complete jobs, and are familiar with its institution’s courses and programs, as well as the needs of its faculty and students (see Familiarity and Values).
The on-site printshop also offers flexibility and convenience at a reasonable price (see Control and Flexibility and Faster and Cheaper). For example, a faculty member who has revised an open textbook that they don’t plan to share with the global community can still have their course-specific version printed for their students at a reasonable cost, which is something that may not be possible through a publisher specializing in instructor-customized textbooks. Students, looking to print a select number of pages or chapters for personal use, are also well served.
A nearby printshop is not only handy, but allows individuals to ask questions directly of its staff, thus making complex orders less daunting. A book with many images, for example, might require special attention to colour printing and the expertise of a printshop staffer. Staff may determine that a book slated for heavy use requires a more sturdy construction than the typical printed book, such as with a book that a student plans to use for several courses or terms or an order for the library course reserve.
Each printshop will have its own operational procedures and capacity, which may depend on the number of staff and available equipment. For those contemplating the addition of an open textbook print-on-demand service, below are items to consider during setup.
Printshop considerations
- Are there limitations to what can be offered? For example, can one copy be ordered, or is there a minimum number?
- What will the turnaround time be? Will it vary depending on the number of pages, customizations, and type of binding?
- Can a portion of an open textbook be printed? What information must the student or instructor provide for these customized orders?
- How much will each book cost? How will the price be calculated? Per page? What is the cost for extras, colour, or a rush job? Will quoted prices be honoured, or are there cases when the cost may change because of an unforeseen problem?
- In what format must the textbook contents be provided? For example, as a print PDF file? Must it be print ready?
- Must a print-ready digital file be provided for the textbook cover?
- What options will be provided for textbook covers, such as around size, paper colour, and weight?
- Will the PoD service include textbook cover design? If so, what information should be collected for inclusion on the cover (title, author, instructor, course, source)?
- Will a gen