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If you only look at unit cost when making print decisions, you may be spending too much. A better way to look at it is to consider the total cost of acquiring, shipping, and storing that inventory over the life of the title. Considering the cost of unsold inventory and the impact it has on cash flow can help you improve your bottom line on every title you publish.

Assumptions:

• 6x9, 264-page book, soft bound, 4-color cover
• Print quantities: 750 offset vs. 400 digital (two print runs of 200 each)
• Quantity sold after 20 months: 400

The Difference:

• Printing offset will cost $2.31 per unit vs. $3.60 per unit for digital, but when you factor in the unsold offset units, the offset per unit sold cost is actually $4.33, 20% higher than the digital sold cost per unit.
• You also save $292 by printing two runs of 200 copies digitally vs. printing 750 offset units and scrapping 350 unsold units.

After 20 Months
	Units Sold	Units Unsold	Total Cost	Price Per Unit - Bought	Price per Unit- Sold
Offset	400	350	$1,732	2.31	4.33
Digital	400	0	$1,440	3.60	3.60
Savings with Digital : $292