Solution Addresses Short-Run Digital Books

netLibrary Inc., a leading provider of e-books and Internet-based content and collection management services in Boulder, Colo., has launched Global Print Solution, a short-run digital printing service that allows publishers to make their content available to a secure network of quality digital book manufacturers.

The service makes it easier for publishers to increase the number of titles they consider for short-run printing by decreasing costs associated with title conversion and print procurement, states Rob Kaufman, netLibrary president and chief executive.

"We have listened to our publisher partners who have asked us to come up with offerings that lead technologically, yet minimize risks to profitability," states Kaufman, who says that the solution addresses head-on one of the key stumbling blocks to the emergence of short-run digital printing: the lack of available digital files for books that fit the short-run model.

Global Print Solution combines netLibrary's file conversion, storage, and distribution capabilities with a network of leading short-run digital book manufacturing facilities strategically positioned throughout the globe. Says the company, each printer must pass netLibrary's Printer Certification Process by demonstrating that its facilities produce books that meet the minimum book manufacturing standards.

After working with publishers to select appropriate titles, netLibrary converts each title into a print-ready format. A proprietary software process enables print-ready files to be printed on all high-quality digital printers. Publishers select specific printers for print jobs from netLibrary's printer network; printers then securely pull files from netLibrary and print and fulfill the order.

Participating printers provide publishers with a variety of fulfillment options, including drop-ship, warehouse and fulfillment, and traditional print and ship services.