Publishing Distribution Practices: New Insights About Eco-Friendly Publishing, Sustainable Printing and Returns, and Cost-Effective Delivery in the US

Authors

Rachel G. Done, Portland State UniversityFollow
Rylee Warner, Portland State University
Rachel Noorda, Portland State UniversityFollow

Published In

Publishing Research Quarterly

Document Type

Citation

Publication Date

5-5-2022

Subjects

Book Publishing, Book industry -- Digital humanities

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated and highlighted the problems and opportunities within the book publishing industry’s distribution practices. This is a summary of the Publishing Distribution Practices report, researched and produced in collaboration with Portland State University, Independent Book Publishers Association, and PubWest. This article addresses research and recommendations for becoming carbon neutral, delivering books cost effectively, utilizing print-on-demand, minimizing returns, and examining supply chain issues raised by the pandemic. Findings include starting with paper and emissions assessment for more eco-friendly publishing; emphasizing pre-orders, local and discounted delivery, trade organization membership, and POS systems for cost-effective delivery; limiting outsourcing to restrict supply chain disruptions; reducing print runs and promoting books more effectively to minimize returns; and utilizing print-on-demand for proof copies and gap runs.

Rights

© 2022 Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Description

The Publishing Distribution Practices report is available in Additional Files.

Locate the Document

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12109-022-09882-5

DOI

10.1007/s12109-022-09882-5

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/37656

Citation Details

Done, R., Warner, R. & Noorda, R. Publishing Distribution Practices: New Insights About Eco-Friendly Publishing, Sustainable Printing and Returns, and Cost-Effective Delivery in the U.S.. Pub Res Q 38, 364–381 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12109-022-09882-5