Acutrack vs. Lulu Direct
It can be interesting for self-publishers to compare the book printing and order fulfillment services we have pioneered at Acutrack versus the ones from the recently launched Lulu Direct.
Our service and Lulu Direct each offer a direct-to-consumer model for self-publishers to sell books. But the two are quite different in many other important ways.
Our Acutrack model is about flexibility and freedom of choice with real, high-quality book printing. At the same time, the other guys have made an incremental expansion to their print-on-demand-based business.
Why is Direct Book Sales a Trending Topic in Self-Publishing?
After years of losing profit margin and putting up with limited quality book printing, self-publishers are breaking free from print-on-demand.
The trend is selling books directly to readers from your own website/eCommerce, sales funnel, or marketplace. Acutrack’s extensive book printing capabilities and outstanding order fulfillment make it convenient and profitable to do so.
The fact that a traditional print-on-demand company is incrementally expanding its bookselling options for self-publishers to include direct sales confirms the trend.
Compare Acutrack to the Other Guys Side-by-Side
| Acutrack | Lulu |
|---|---|
| Sell from any eCommerce platform, sales funnel or marketplace | Sell only on Shopify and WooCommerce |
| Nominal one-time setup fee | Free setup |
| Free technical assistance to set-up book order fulfillment connected to Acutrack | DIY setup, leaving it up to you |
| Complete digital and offset book printing with all professional book printing options | Printing stays within print on demand system including limitations on paper stock quality |
| Competitive, economical pricing for printing | 20-percent surcharge on printing |
| Book orders fulfilled within one business day | 5-7 days (or longer) for order shipping |
| Send merchandise and collateral with your books | Ship books only |
| Ability to scale up for large sales volume | Works acceptably for lower volume sales |
Are Quick Book Order Fulfillment and Profitability Your Priorities?
We know from years of successful experience working with self-publishers that those with a monthly order volume of 100 books or more do better with us. Working with Acutrack allows you to sell books online anywhere you want, set your price, keep more profits, ship orders quickly, and keep your customer information – more about the value of owning your customer data later.
Print-on-demand struggles to keep up with order volume during peak demand periods, frustrating your customers.
People today are spoiled by ultra-fast shipping from online sellers, and our just-in-time book printing models help you meet their expectations. We’ll print your books in advance and hold them at no charge in our warehouse. When your eCommerce or marketplace listing receives an order, it comes directly to our fulfillment center and goes out the next business day. It’s a simple, straightforward process.
Affordably Print Your Book to Compete with the Big Guys
You know, as a self-publisher today, that you face equal parts competition and opportunity. Part of successfully going up against the big-time traditional publishers is producing high-quality books. Print-on-demand affects your quality, and each book is published at different times – will they all turn out the same and as you want them?
When you work with Acutrack, you print your books in advance, affordably and economically, while enjoying every advantage of a professional printing operation.
- Binding – hardcover, paperback, spiral, wire-o
- Paper stock — cover and inside stock options
- Trim sizes – multiple options, including custom
- Cover enhancements – embossing, foiling
- Print process – digital or offset for larger runs
Our minimum print quantities are reasonable, and we warehouse the books for free until you receive orders. Customer service improves when people receive their books quickly and aren’t stuck waiting in a print queue with thousands of other books.
We Pioneered Direct Book Sales for Self-Publishers
Long before it was trending, we created direct online bookselling opportunities for self-publishers and perfected our service. We’ve connected to every eCommerce platform, sales funnel, and marketplace our clients have requested. We’ve kept it accessible for them, printed their books at competitive prices, and fulfilled their book orders.
You’re going with the best when you sell your self-published book directly to your customers and choose Acutrack for your book printing and order fulfillment. For us, it’s the only way we do business and not a “sideline” or “add-on.” If you sell and ship 100 books or more each month on average, you owe it to yourself and your future success to let us tell you more about our service. Reach out today!
