Are Books Becoming Luxury Items?

Champagne, caviar, sports cars, and … books? In the continuing evolution of the publishing industry, a new twist is to produce and market books as luxury items. Even though e-publishing is here to stay, some publishers are finding success by exploiting what they consider the main draw of printed books: aesthetic. For years, pundits have suggested this tactic, urging publishers to capitalize on the beauty, feel, smell, and other associations of printed work and market high-quality, aesthetically pleasing printed books.

The appeal of print

Obviously, the “luxury” factor matches out better with certain book types, such as art and science titles and special collections or editions. However, this idea can be spread to the mass marketplace as well — for example, manga and graphic novels.

Consider, for example, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, published in 2011 by Quirk Books. This popular title is printed with a variety of intriguing photos to add to the mystery and aura of the tale. Another popular book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret (Scholastic, 2007), told partly in words and partly in pictures, provides another example where the printed page is an integral part of the story.

There is one drawback to the luxury of a printed book: the expense required to produce it. This cost is then passed on to the buyer, making the title priced out of some readers’ wallet range.

However, whether you’re a believer in the power of the printed page, a fan of digital content, or a bibliophile in any format, the innovation and imagination catalyzed by “luxury” printing can be viewed as a positive. As publishers increasingly blend print and digital initiatives, the options for enhancing the appeal of print offer creative ways to expand the reader experience in any format.

[cta]Consider partnering with Sheridan to evolve your publishing strategy and find the specific publishing solutions that are right for your organization. Contact your Sheridan representative, Laura Baker, at Laura.Baker@sheridan.com for a consultation.[/cta]