Digital Download or Physical Book – Introduction
All of the products on this site are available as both a digital download and a physical book.
You might be unsure as to which version you should get, so this article will explain the advantages of each. At the end, you will have a better idea as to which option is better for you.
Digital Download
Let’s take a closer look at digital downloads.
The main advantage of this format is that you get your purchase immediately. No waiting for packaging and shipping, nothing damaged in transit. You pay and the item is either send as an email attachment or you get a link to the download. Very quick and very easy.
Because there is no actual delivery of a physical item, it’s also much better for the environment. It’s also less money in the hands of greedy oil companies, which is always a good thing in my humble opinion.
Digital downloads should be cheaper than physical books. Sometimes they’re not and this is just the publisher being greedy. Personally, I don’t support companies that have these unfair pricing policies.
One big and obvious negative is the fact that you need to print out the pages yourself.
But there is another advantage that shouldn’t be overlooked. Yes, you have to print the pages yourself but with puzzle books and coloring books, you can print out pages more than once and have another go. If you really like a coloring page but can’t decide which colors to use, no problem – print it out twice and do both! You can also send the file to a friend or family member. Of course, I would prefer you to buy a separate copy but let’s be realistic.
Physical Book
I’m sure I don’t need to explain what a physical book is. But I would like to explain where the physical books here come from.
I don’t have a garage full of books that I ship to you when you order. I don’t actually have any stock at all. It’s all done through the magic of Kindle Direct Publishing, also abbreviated to KDP. If you’re familiar with print on demand, then this is like POD for books.
Essentially, the files are stored on Amazon’s servers and when your order is received, the file is sent to a contracted printer near you. They then produce the book especially for you and ship it out to you. All product handling, support, refunds, etc. are handled directly by Amazon. The links to the physical books on this site take you to the Amazon site nearest to you, where you can order the items just like any other product on that platform.
All of the advantages and positive aspects of digital downloads can be seen as equivalent disadvantages for physical books. But books do have one big advantage over downloads; physical books make excellent gifts. There is a certain something about holding a book in your hands. Many people still have a nostalgic feeling about books.
It should also be pointed out that a professional commercial printer should be able to produce a better quality product that most people can manage at home. The cover, especially, will be printed on quality heavier paper and the whole thing will be bound to create a complete finished product.
Summary
Physical books and digital downloads are both interesting and viable options. We have seen the pros and cons of each. Which one suits you best? And which do you prefer?
Did I forget any advantages or disadvantages of either format? Please use the comments section below and let me know!
