Just as Gutenberg's Press revolutionized book printing 500 years ago, digital book printing technology is transforming the book publishing value chain. By economically producing books in smaller quantities, book printers and publishers can more closely match production to end-user demand. As a result, digital technology is breathing new life into midlists and backlists, minimizing the risk of overprinting and returns, and bringing a rich, diverse selection of titles to market.
Roll Over Gutenberg: the Changing World of Book Printing and Publishing explores what this digital phenomenon means to book printers, publishers, sellers, authors and readers. It chronicles the fascinating journey of the book through time, developments in printing, papermaking and publishing and impacts on real-world companies, the environment, business and society. In each chapter, the story of the book unfolds, covering the issues that are a part of any discussion of the book.
- Preface— Who invented the book? Guest editor Frank Romano shares his perspective on the past, present and future of the book, exploring the impact of the digital revolution and the many ways that the book has and will continue to transcend time and technology.
- Chapter 1— The Book … Yesterday, today, tomorrow Fully appreciating the advances that are shaping the future of the book merits a look back through time at the book in its earliest form. This chapter begins with clay tablets and cuneiform and charts the progress of the book from antiquity to today.
- Chapter 2— Book printers and publishers embrace digital technology As digital technology transforms the publishing industry, this chapter examines how stakeholders across the supply chain—book printers, publishers, sellers, and authors are embracing print-on-demand and short-run book printing.
- Chapter 3— Life on the front lines of the digital revolution As book printers use digital technology to produce books in incredibly small runs and publishers resolve challenges that have plagued them for decades, this chapter demonstrates how real-world companies are "going digital" to make real business improvements.
- Chapter 4— Sustainability: book publishing goes green While the business of printing and publishing books exacts a toll on the environment, this chapter explores the important and often outstanding actions that stakeholders are taking to minimize the collective carbon footprint of the industry.
- Chapter 5— Crucible of change: On democratization, trends and technologies One of the most exciting aspects of digital technology is the realm of possibilities it opens up across the supply chain. This chapter examines the ways in which digital technology is democratizing the printed word and fueling new trends like self-publishing, versioning, and personalization. It explores the social implications of digital technology and the innovations that are powering change today and into the future.
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