Tags
Amazon, Amazon bookstore, books, bookstores, Europe, France, Frédéric Mériot, future, Paris, POD, Presses Universitaires de France, print on demand, publishing, PUF, The Espresso Book Machine, Xerox
Have you heard of the Espresso Book Machine? Created by Xerox, it’s a printer robot that can print out an entire book in minutes. Bookstores no longer need to order and stock up on books; all they need is an Espresso Book Machine and an Internet connection.
If this sounds outlandish or futuristic, it is already used in the US in several universities as well as in some bookstores, such as McNally Jackson in southern Manhattan, New York.
And it’s now available in Europe, for the first time, as reported by The Siver Times. Located in the historic heart of Paris student, close to the famous university La Sorbonne, this library without stock opened on Saturday the 12th. It allows readers to select from nearly 5,000 titles available from the Presses Universitaires de France (PUF), as well as millions of international titles in the public domain. Books are sold at the same price as in a conventional bookstore and should not exceed 850 pages – a limit imposed by the machine’s technology.
Readers can browse the vast catalog on tablets before ordering.
Except for lowering stock costs, this is the perfect solution for titles whose demand is too low for them to be profitable with the traditional print model. As PUF director, Frédéric Mériot, said on the occasion of the presentation of the machine:
We thought that the digital kill the printed book, but this has not been the case. It may even be that the traditional book now has a second life.
I look forward to the day when Indie works are made available this way, and can’t help but wonder if this is a direction that Amazon Bookstores will take in the near future.
Update
You can watch the Espresso Book Machine at work here:
As for cost, Xerox says that it’s is under a penny per (A4) page, so that shouldn’t be too bad.
And if you came here looking for coffee instead of books, check out this post on actual espresso machines by Fourth Estate Coffee!
adeleulnais said:
Reblogged this on firefly465.
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adeleulnais said:
I am so excited, this is the way to go.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Couldn’t agree more. Let’s put an end to the slush pile 🙂
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Mick Canning said:
I like the idea of that!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Let’s hope it catches on 🙂
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Jack Eason said:
Reblogged this on Have We Had Help? and commented:
Welcome news. Thanks Nicholas 😉
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marerobster said:
There ARE some good news in this world, and this is one of them!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yay 🙂
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Don Massenzio said:
Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog and commented:
Is this a possible future for indie publications?
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Donna said:
Technology is amazing
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Especially done right 🙂
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Donna said:
Reblogged this on homemade naturally and commented:
Technology is amazing a book printed in minutes.
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Annette Rochelle Aben said:
I love this! I have been thinking that it would be great to have a coffee house/bookstore, thus combining two of my passions. So, I would love to have THIS set up, where you could order your book, order your coffee and then walk out or sit down with both! ❤
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
It does sound heavenly 🙂
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Barb Drummond said:
Reblogged this on texthistory and commented:
Only a matter of time…
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lynhorner said:
Reblogged this on Lyn Horner's Corner.
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Annika Perry said:
This is fascinating and I wonder if this can be a quiet revolution of our book future – book stores /library / indie books. Surely this must be of great interest to the latter – only the cost at the moment will not be attractive as you’d have to sell it above normal retail cost…
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I’m not sure about costs. All the article said is that books are comparable in price to traditionally-published ones. Hmm…
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Palessa said:
I love this. I’m wondering how the book looks. The one in the picture looks basic but would it have the capacity for glossy covers, etc. I mean, it’s Xerox. They KNOW printing but I’m just curious. And LOVING this concept the more I think about it!
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Let's CUT the Crap! said:
Cannot recall where I’d heard of these. Maybe a small press where books are printed on demand. Great idea. Love it.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
It is a sweet deal 🙂
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Tyrean Martinson said:
Interesting! Now, I think it would be fun to open a bookstore – one that had one of those machines and a small handful of browseable titles.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Add great coffee, and you’ve got yourself a winner 😀
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Kate Jack said:
Reblogged this on KATE JACK'S BLOG and commented:
The future of the printed book?
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weavingword said:
Reblogged this on Allison D. Reid and commented:
Wow, how cool is this! A glimpse into the future for indie authors…
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