How to Offset Print Your Book AND Sell on Amazon
You want higher profit margins on your book, so offset printing makes sense.
But you also want global reach through distribution platforms like Amazon or IngramSpark.
The good news? You don’t have to choose. You can do both.
By combining offset printing with a popular POD platform, you get the best of both worlds: lower costs per book and access to a worldwide audience.
Let’s break down how it works.
Offset Printing vs Print-on-Demand: What’s the Difference?
Amazon KDP and IngramSpark are print-on-demand (POD) services. That means your book is printed only when you or a customer place an order. You don’t pay upfront for inventory, instead, the printing cost is deducted from each sale.
This model works well when:
- You’re just starting out
- You want to avoid upfront investment
- You’re testing demand
But there’s a trade-off.
With POD, you pay a higher cost per book.
For example, a children’s book that might cost $12-$15 per copy with print-on-demand can drop to $3-$5 per unit when offset printed in volume.
The Key Insight
KDP and IngramSpark are great distribution tools.
Offset printing is a profit strategy.
Offset printing becomes significantly more cost-effective at quantities of 300+ copies, which is why it’s the standard for traditional publishers.
Why Choose Offset Printing?
When you print in bulk with a partner like MCRL Overseas Group, you benefit from:
- Lower per-unit costs -> higher profit margins
- Premium print quality -> better paper, binding, and finishes
- Greater customization -> specialty formats, coatings, and materials
- Scalability -> ideal for events, retail, and other distribution opportunities
How to Sell Your Books on Amazon
Once your books are offset printed, there are three main ways to sell them on Amazon:
Option 1: Merchant Fulfilled (You Ship It Yourself)
This is the simplest way to start selling immediately.
You create an Amazon Seller Central account, list your book, and ship orders directly to customers.
Advantages:
- Highest profit margin per book
- Full control over packaging and branding
- No Amazon fulfillment fees
Challenges:
- You need storage space
- You handle shipping and customer service
- Harder to compete with Prime-eligible listings
Option 2: Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon)
With FBA, Amazon handles storage, shipping, and customer service.
You ship your offset-printed books to Amazon’s warehouse, and they take care of the rest.
Advantages:
- Prime eligibility (boosts conversions significantly)
- Hands-off logistics
- Faster shipping for customers
Challenges:
- Fulfillment and storage fees reduce margins
- Extra costs for slow-moving inventory
- Requires inventory planning
Option 3: Third-Party Fulfillment Warehouse
This is a powerful (and often overlooked) option.
Instead of shipping books to your home or directly to Amazon, you ship from overseas to a storage and fulfillment partner, like Logistech Solutions, that can:
- Store your inventory
- Integrate with Amazon and e-commerce platforms
- Pick, pack, and ship orders
- Provide inventory tracking
This approach gives you flexibility without managing fulfillment yourself.
Where MCRL Fits In
MCRL Overseas Group focuses on what matters most: producing high-quality books at the best possible price.
We manage the complexity of overseas printing, including:
- End-to-end project management
- Quality control at every stage
- Logistics coordination from printer to destination
- Dedicated, responsive support
You get a streamlined experience, from file to finished product, without the headaches.
A Smarter Publishing Strategy
Many successful self-publishers use a hybrid approach:
- Offset print for bulk inventory, events, and higher margins
- Keep a POD version on Amazon KDP or IngramSpark for global reach and backup supply
This way, you maximize profits without limiting your distribution.
The Path Is Simple
- Offset print your book with a trusted partner like MCRL
- Decide where your inventory will be shipped
- List your book on Amazon Seller Central
- Choose your fulfillment method (merchant fulfilled, FBA, or third-party)
- Start selling and scaling your business
Ready to Increase Your Margins and Sell Globally?
Get a quote today and see how easy it is to go from manuscript to marketplace, with better quality and stronger profits.
Additional Resources:
Lori McKnight, MCRL’s Market Director hosted a webinar on this topic. View it here
