Baker Publishing Group’s paperback titles will be sold on the Espresso Book Machine (EBM) “digital-to-print at retail” sales channel under a new agreement with On Demand Books. Christian Retailing first reported on Baker Publishing Group’s (BPG) interest in the program after July’s International Christian Retail Show (ICRS).

BPG is the first major Christian publisher to make available substantially its entire softcover list to the Espresso network. This agreement will enable BPG to reach more readers in the Christian market and in trade and academic bookstores that are equipped with an EBM, the company said.

“We believe the Espresso Book Machine in a local bookstore offers the book-reading customer the best overall access to printed books at the time they are in a store and ready to purchase a title,” said David Lewis, BPG’s executive vice president, sales and marketing. “If the publishing community will support this technology by allowing all of their titles that fit the machine's specifications to be printed locally, it will give the local bookstore a better opportunity to survive.”

Dane Neller, CEO of On Demand Books, said that the inclusion of BPG supports the expansion of EBMs in the Christian market. “We hope Baker is the first of many religious publishers to see the great potential of the Espresso channel,” he said.

With the push of a button, the Espresso technology converts a digital file into a quality paperback with a full-color cover in minutes—and in any language—eliminating the need for shipping, returns and the pulping of unwanted books. Machines cost $100,000 and up.

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