Upload. Order. Print. One System. Conventional Print & POD.

Situation (Challenge)

Independent publishers work hand in hand with both authors and printers. One such independent book publisher (who will be referred to as Indie Publisher) has over thirty years’ experience walking authors step-by-step through the self-publishing process – from concept to printed product. When Indie Publisher turns a project over to a printer, they need a partner that is as committed to quality and service as they are throughout every step.

Having used different suppliers for their conventional and print on demand (POD) needs, when Indie Publisher became frustrated by the performance and quality delivered by their current POD supplier, they desired a partner that could provide a single point of contact for both their conventional and POD print needs while delivering the quality and service they expect from a partner.

Solution

Looking to bring all their print needs together under one roof, Indie Publisher turned to their long-time conventional print partner, Sheridan, for a solution.

Using Sheridan Select™, a proprietary central product management system, Sheridan’s technology team presented how Indie Publisher can leverage the system to upload files and place POD and conventional print orders. Using the convenient self-service portal, once Indie Publisher uploads files they are placed into the Electronic Warehouse and setup for POD or conventional manufacturing.

Upon order placement, Select automatically sends Indie Publisher an order acknowledgement notification and routes the order. POD orders are sent directly to press for automated production. Conventional offset orders are directed to Indie Publisher’s dedicated Customer Service Representative at Sheridan who oversees the entire production process. Once the order is printed, bound, and shipped, the order status is updated in Select’s central order history screen and a notification is sent to Indie Publisher updating them on the order’s shipment status.

Results

From file upload, to POD, to conventional print, Sheridan provides Indie Publisher a single point of contact for their print needs. Utilizing Select, the web-based self-service portal gives Indie Publisher the freedom to upload files and place orders any time, simply and easily. In addition, they can now relax knowing that the quality and service that Sheridan has been providing for over 30 years for their conventional print titles will now carry though their POD titles as well.

Products and Services Used

• Select™
• Sheridan Print
• POD

---

Company Profile