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Online Shop and Research of online printing options for our materials like 2R Art manifesto, 2R whitepapers etc

Open rufuspollock opened this issue 1 year ago • 3 comments

Acceptance

Tasks

Shaping for book printing etc

  • [x] Have a completed shaping 🚧2025-01-27 in this doc https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bgXI-TQEpppXA5fdqp-clKzQCrJJMgsfJTSEvG9zv5I/edit?tab=t.yhfecmbvpvuh
  • [x] Look at the printer we were using for open revolution (first book on AET Press). Probably have login in passwords system. 2 options: Amazon (KDP) and another (IIRC lightning press or something) ✅2025-01-20 it was KDP and ingram lightning source
  • [ ] Check out KDP (we have an account) but amazon only
  • [x] Check out ingram spark https://myaccount.lightningsource.com/ (we have an account) ✅2025-01-27 we have logged in. Don't support share and sell outside of US orgs atm. ❌

Extras

  • [ ] Confirm the exact merchandise to be available on the website
  • [ ] Confirm the list of books / papers / magazines to be included for printing
  • [ ] Confirm the cost for each item
  • [ ] Confirm the on-demand printing platforms
    • [ ] Confirm the regions / number of shops (e.g. Spreadshirt you need a new shop for each region - France covers EU - not US etc)
  • [ ] Set up or gain access to the printing platforms
  • [ ] Develop a centralized shop front on the Life itself Website
  • [ ] Create a Second Renaissance shop page and set up a redirect to the LI shop front
  • [ ] Add external links to chosen platforms for print-on-demand services.
  • [ ] Understand the set-up requirements:
    • [ ] List the prerequisites for setting up each platform (e.g., artwork resolution, file formats).
  • [ ] Confirm tshirt proofs/design - Life Itself T-shirts

Considerations:

  • [ ] Will we track customer purchases across the multiple platforms? If so, what system will handle the CRM?
  • [ ] Assess cost implications of global shipping versus region-specific platforms.
  • [ ] Investigate resolution and formatting requirements for Sylvie’s artwork and other creative assets. (later step)
  • [ ] Establish a clear process for handling customer inquiries, refunds, or complaints./ check this is done by the print-on-demand shops.
  • [ ] What promotional efforts will we do for the shop, such as announcements to the community or collaborations with artists (e.g. maybe those who stay at the Hub or are in the art collective?).

Notes

Also see Online Shop Tab in Creation Week Doc

a quick search/summary

  1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): KDP allows authors to self-publish books and make them available to a worldwide audience through Amazon's extensive distribution network. It offers zero upfront publishing costs, enabling authors to retain full rights and control over their work.

  2. IngramSpark: IngramSpark provides print-on-demand services with a vast distribution network, reaching tens of thousands of retailers and libraries globally. It offers high-quality printing and allows authors to publish both print and digital editions.

  3. Blurb: Blurb specializes in high-quality photo books, trade books, and magazines. It offers a user-friendly platform with various customization options and distributes globally through its own bookstore and partnerships with retailers like Amazon and Ingram.

  4. Lulu: Lulu is an online print-on-demand and self-publishing platform that provides a range of book formats and sizes. It offers global distribution options, allowing authors to reach readers worldwide.

  5. Peecho: Peecho offers print-on-demand services for books and magazines, providing a wide selection of print options, including hardcover and softcover books. They handle printing, packing, and dropshipping to anywhere in the world.

Ingram spark share and sell doesn't work outside of US atm

Image

rufuspollock avatar Jan 03 '25 14:01 rufuspollock

Sylvie is making v good progress on this as part of prep for launch of a crowdfunding campaign for Art of 2R.

rufuspollock avatar Mar 17 '25 20:03 rufuspollock

This has got kinda stuck since we paused work on crowdfunder in mid April and the person we hired on upwork to sort out the lulu site disappeared.

rufuspollock avatar Jun 02 '25 13:06 rufuspollock

This is now active again. Lulu.com is working. We we are looking at other options. Probably needs a reboot (and separating sub-items e.g. printing options).

rufuspollock avatar Oct 27 '25 10:10 rufuspollock