E-books are a mainstay of the publishing industry. However, predictions of the demise of printed books due to the introduction of digitized books have not materialized.

At the end of 2024, the revenues in the publishing industry were up 6.5% for the year, with all categories totalling $14.2 billion. E-book revenues were down 11.8% in December 2024 compared to December 2023.

Publishing Trends

Print books allow readers to hold them and turn the pages. Some people spend a lifetime acquiring books and may find it wrenching to abandon their collection for a slab of plastic. Readers may find the illustrations in print versions superior. Some also experience eye strain using an electronic device instead of a printed book. Although digital publishing has grown, hardcover and paperback books still rule the market, with approximately $3.5 billion and $3.2 billion in sales in 2024, respectively.

According to the Association of American Publishers, E-book sales account for 12% of total consumer book sales. Avid readers who travel or step out to a coffee shop rely on the simplicity of an E-reader or iPad, which are far lighter than a stacꦚk of books. The internet gives E-book buyers access to unlimited publications.

E-book readers must recharge their electronic devices. Readers can also find free books online. The nonprofit Project Gutenberg offers over 75,000 free downloadable books, most classics well beyond their copyright protection expiration dates. Free Classic Books offers just that, from Alcott, Louisa M., to Wodehouse, P.G. Google Books has more than 10 million books available to download for free, including textbooks, government documents, and literary classics.

Publishing Costs

Paper book companies have historically acted like manufacturers needing machinery, supplies, and labor to create printed material⛎. E-books may omit some traditional publishing expenses, but they impose other costs. Added technology costs involve formatting the e-book so that various electronic devices and browsers can properly download and store the book.

Whether printed or downloaded, a percentage of the E-book price is paid to online sellers like Amazon. This can be anywhere from 30% to 70% of the sale price. Smaller publishers and independent authors have more leeway with pricing, but still have many of the same costs. They must gi✨veജ a percentage of their E-book sales to the online distributor, and unless they are graphic designers, they must hire an illustrator to create their cover art.

Choosing Between Print and Digital

• Upfront Cost: Purchasing an E-reader may involve a higher initial investment than buying a single printed book. An E-reader's upfront cost, typically $100 to $200, can be considered a one-time expense.
• Subscription Costs: Subscription services like Kindle Unlimited or Audible offer a cost-effective way to access a vast library of E-books. From an economic standpoint, these services can significantly reduce the per-book cost for avid readers, making it a financially smart move instead of buying individual books. Of course, the consistent free library patron will always have cost-free options.
• Book Resale Value: The resale value of physical books adds an economic dimension to owning a print collection. Used bookstores, online platforms, and book swaps provide avenues for recovering some initial investment in printed books. E-books lack a resale market, making them less financially flexible.
• Storage Costs: Physical books incur storage costs for space and furniture like bookshelves. And consider how much it may cost to move those physical books if you need to relocate homes. The economic advantage of E-books is that they eliminate the need for physical storage or moving expenses.
• Environmental Cost: The environmental impact of printed books, including production and disposal costs, contributes to their overall expense. E-books are also not fully sustainable. The electricity and the materials used to produce E-readers mean that E-books still have some environmental costs, but studies show the environmental impact of E-books is much less than that of print books.
• Production and Distribution: The cost of producing and distributing physical books encompasses expenses related to paper, printing, transportation, and warehousing. Though the costs may vary based on each E-book and genre, the cost to self-publish a print book is estimated from $2,000 to $4,000, plus an additional $500 to $10,000 for marketing.
• Accessibility: The economic advantage of E-books in terms of accessibility is evident for readers with visual impairments. Digital formats allow for features like adjustable text size and screen-reading technology, enhancing the reading experience for a broader audience.
• Genre: Changes in reading habits affect E-book and printed book owners. A reader's preference may shift from one genre to another very quickly. The greater flexibility that electronic media offers may make more financial sense.

The Bottom Line

E-books offer a potentially c🤪ost-effective solution for avid readers. The absence of physical production costs, reduced storage needs, and frequent digital promotions may make a digital library more cost-effective. On the other hand, printed books may have resale value, are easier on the eyes, offer greater sentimental appeal, and perhaps a more pleasant reading experience.