Let's rethink book services
Our Print-on-Demand Service
In addition to the immediate availability and topicality of titles, the biggest challenge is maintaining cultural diversity in the book market. Our print-on-demand service gives publishers and bookshops the flexibility they need. For titles whose stock production and storage is no longer economically viable, we produce on demand and just in time: namely when an order is received.
Fast availability
Right at the logistics hub – PoD items are produced right where shipping begins.
Always up to date – a wide variety of titles remain permanently available and up to date.
Starting with the first print run – no minimum order quantity, no exclusivity.
2 hours of production time – delivery in 1 to 3 business days.
Book diversity without risk
Update content flexibly —without having to write off inventory.
The publisher retains the printing rights —giving you full control over your own catalog.
No production for stock – no storage costs, no inventory management costs.
Lower return rates – produce only what actually sells.
Sales potential and cost efficiency
Reprint out-of-print titles —keep them in stock permanently without risking a new print run.
Monetizing niche titles – reaching even small target audiences profitably.
Higher profit margin per copy —without inventory or overproduction costs.
No upfront investment —capital remains liquid rather than tied up in print runs.
Fully integrated process chain
Direct connection to the receiving area – conveyor systems seamlessly link the PoD print shop and logistics.
No delays —full integration into ordering and logistics processes ensures a smooth workflow.
Combined Shipping – Print-on-demand titles are shipped together with titles in stock.
Protecting the environment
No overproduction – shorter transport routes, less waste.
Green electricity and FSC-certified materials – production with a commitment to sustainability.
Efficient even for small print runs – an expanded infrastructure makes short runs cost-effective and resource-efficient.
Best print quality
State-of-the-art technology at the Erfurt site – significant investments in machinery and infrastructure.
Expanded binding line – for high-quality hardcovers and softcovers alike.
Vibrant colors and precise print quality —thanks to state-of-the-art printing technology.
Up to 40,000 copies —thanks to new high-speed printing technology, even large print runs are no problem.
The POD Process at Kolibri360
4 steps to more diversity on the book market
Start & Preparation
The process begins with an initial contact, followed by the clarification and finalization of the contractual terms. A suitable interface for data transfer is then set up, through which the print data is transmitted and carefully checked.
Listing & Ordering
Once the review is complete, the title is made available in the distribution system and can be purchased through bookstores and online retailers. Customers can then order the title—either individually or in bulk.
Production & Delivery
The books are produced daily, handed over directly to the logistics department, and then packaged together and shipped to customers.
Billing
Printing costs are offset against sales proceeds. A transparent monthly statement, including a credit note, is provided.
Your PoD book in our production and logistics processes
Comments from publishers
These publishers are committed to print-on-demand
Seamless process
Working with Kolibri360 has expanded our reach and was a seamless process, with full support provided by Kolibri360 and CPI throughout
Seamless coverage of demand
As one of the largest German-language special-interest book publishing groups, Paul Pietsch Verlage currently has a backlist of over 3,250 active titles. Thanks to Kolibri360’s print-on-demand services, we have been able to significantly extend the lifecycle of our title offerings since 2015, thereby ensuring the long-term availability of our backlist and nearly complete coverage of demand—especially for backlist titles with lower demand volumes. Through the parallel, active digitization of out-of-print archive titles, we are also continuously expanding our portfolio and have now transferred a total of 1,100 titles to the POD process—all while maintaining a manageable publishing risk.
Contributing to greater sustainability
We are very pleased that our titles are now also available to customers in Germany via Kolibri360/CPI through print-on-demand. In addition to ensuring constant availability, it is also very important to us to make a further contribution to the sustainability of physical production
Successfully increase sales
Making Sage titles available via print-on-demand through Kolibri360 has enabled us to successfully increase sales and reach more students in the region. The process has been very straightforward, and support has been provided whenever needed. Thank you!
Quick & easy
We are pleased that, thanks to this expanded partnership, a significantly larger number of titles from our publishing catalog are now available through Kolibri360, and that customers can receive them much more quickly.
Excellent quality
The Peter Lang Group is thrilled to expand its partnership with Kolibri360 as a trusted business partner for the print-on-demand distribution of our titles in multiple languages. The speed to market and excellent quality that Kolibri360 provides will undoubtedly enhance the overall customer experience for Peter Lang, whether for bookstores, libraries, or individual customers.
Successful collaboration
POD is a crucial component of self-publishing, especially when combined with a direct connection to book distributors. That is why we have enjoyed a very successful partnership with Kolibri360 for several years now. We particularly appreciate the professionalism of their processes and their personalized, attentive customer service.
FAQ
Your most important questions about our print-on-demand service
Under the terms of a service agreement, you grant Kolibri360 the rights to print, reproduce, and distribute your title for the duration of the contract.
All other rights, of course, remain with you.
You may also revoke these rights from Kolibri360 at any time for individual titles.
No. You can list and print your title through Kolibri360 as well as through any other provider. There is no exclusive contract with Kolibri360.
Participation in our PoD process is generally free of charge; there are no “participation fees.”
Data storage and title listing are also free of charge initially. Billing occurs only once a book is produced and sold. Printing costs are based on the annual print volume or the number of listed titles.
Our print-on-demand process ensures an optimized supply chain.
This means that PoD is fully integrated into Kolibri360’s catalog, ordering, and logistics processes.
When a title is added, the data is transferred to the leading bibliographic system pcbis.de as well as to other industry systems.
This allows more than 5,500 booksellers to order your title from us at any time.
In addition, every title in our distribution catalog is integrated into customer-specific online stores.
You can choose any size for your books, as long as it falls within the minimum and maximum dimensions.
These are for
Softcover: Minimum 105 x 120 mm
Maximum 210 x 297 mm
Hardcover: Minimum 105 x 140 mm
Maximum 210 x 280 mm
The spine thickness may range from 1.5 to 57 mm, the
Cover width, including bleed, max. 477 mm
Yes—upon request, we can also produce small print runs (Print to Stock) for your own use and for distribution through your publisher.
In addition, PoD titles can be shipped directly to end customers. To do this, we set up an interface with your publisher or their distribution center (dropshipping).
The shipment is sent with your invoice in your corporate design.
Our softcover books are produced in less than 2.5 hours.
Depending on the departure times of our logistics routes, same-day or next-day delivery is possible.
For hardcover books, we guarantee delivery within 3–5 business days.
Please upload the cover, interior pages, and metadata file via our FTP server—or alternatively, via a web portal.
If your print data is already stored in our print service provider’s database (e.g., from previous offset print runs), no data transfer is necessary.
Print-on-demand production at our Erfurt facility is powered exclusively by green electricity.
Since we produce only on demand, we avoid overproduction and waste.
There is no need for transportation between the logistics center and the print shop because both are located in the same building in Erfurt; this significantly reduces our carbon footprint.
No additional storage space is required.
In addition, we do not shrink-wrap the books.