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Selling paperbacks direct

Sell your paperbacks direct, printed on demand or from your own boxes.

A paperback can reach readers two ways. Print on demand means BookVault or Lulu prints each copy when it is ordered, so you never hold stock. Own stock means you post the copies you already have, which suits signings and short runs. You set the shipping prices for each part of the world either way.

Join the waitlistSee the plans

How it works

  1. Add the paperback edition

    On the book, tick paperback and choose print on demand or own stock.

  2. Print on demand

    Pick BookVault or Lulu, the trim size, cream or white paper and the page count, then upload the interior and cover PDFs.

  3. Own stock

    Enter how many copies you have and, if you like, a number to warn you when stock runs low.

  4. Shipping zones

    Group countries into zones and give each zone its rates, with free shipping above an amount if you want it.

Files and details

Interior PDF
Up to 500 MB. The print-ready file your printer asks for.
Cover PDF
Up to 200 MB. The full wrap cover, with spine and back.
Trim sizes
5x8, 5.25x8, 5.5x8.5 or 6x9 inches for print on demand.

What readers get

Choose where it goes
In the cart, readers pick their country and one of your shipping rates. The price includes shipping before they pay.
Receipts in their library
Every order and a printable receipt are in the reader’s library, next to any ebooks they bought.
One cart for every format
Readers can buy the paperback with the ebook or audiobook in one checkout.

What it costs to sell a paperback

Your plan, Stripe’s card fee on each sale and, for print, the printer’s price.

Card fees are Stripe’s standard rates for the country your Stripe account is in.
WhatCostDetails
Lanternbee, Free plan5% per saleTaken only when you sell. No monthly bill.
Lanternbee, Author plan$35€29£25 a month, paid yearlyOr $45€39£35 month to month. No fee on your sales.
Card payment, US account2.9% + 30¢Stripe’s standard rate for a US card. Cards issued outside the US add 1.5%, and paying in another currency adds 1%.
Card payment, UK account1.5% + 20pStandard UK cards. EEA cards are 2.5% + 20p, other international cards 3.15% + 20p, plus 2% when the currency is converted.
Card payment, EU account (Ireland)1.5% + €0.25Standard EEA cards. UK cards are 2.5% + €0.25, other international cards 3.15% + €0.25, plus 2% when the currency is converted.
Stripe Tax0.5% per saleOnly on sales where you are registered to collect tax. This is the pay-as-you-go rate for Stripe’s own checkout.
Lanternbee on print costsNo mark-upYou pay the printer’s price, or your own cost for stock you hold.
BookVault title setup, free plan£19.95 or $24.95 per titleLess on BookVault’s paid plans. Printing and shipping are priced per copy.
LuluPrint cost + shipping + a fulfillment feeNo setup or subscription fee. Each order is priced in Lulu’s calculator.
Shipping charged to readersYour ratesYou set them per zone. Readers see them before paying.

Limits to know about

  • Sending paid orders to BookVault and Lulu automatically is being built. You can set up print editions now.
  • For own stock, buying postage labels and marking orders as posted inside Lanternbee are being built.
  • Shipping rates are flat rates you set. Live quotes from printers or carriers are not built yet.
  • Four trim sizes are offered for print on demand today.

VAT and sales tax

Printed books are often taxed differently from ebooks, and some countries do not tax them at all. Stripe Tax applies the rule for the reader’s country at checkout. Check your own country on the VAT pages.

VAT on books, country by country

Questions about selling paperbacks

Print on demand or own stock?

Print on demand if you do not want boxes in the hall. Own stock if you already have copies, or want to sign them before they go out.

Do I need an ISBN?

Your printer may ask for one. Lanternbee stores an ISBN on each edition and checks that it is valid.

Can I offer free shipping?

Yes. Give a rate a free-above amount and it costs readers nothing once their order reaches it.

Works with

BookVaultComingPrint on demand for paperbacks and hardcovers, printed in the UK, US, Canada and Australia.LuluComingPrint on demand through Lulu’s print network, with no setup fee.EasyPostComingPostage labels for copies you post yourself. Planned, not built.ShippoNot built yetAnother postage label service. Not connected to Lanternbee.StripeBeing builtReaders pay you through your own Stripe account. You are the seller, and Stripe pays out to your bank.Shopify importerLiveBrings your books, readers, orders and discount codes over from Shopify, and keeps old links working.

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