Fulfillment and Distribution Services
Publishing Services @ UC Press offers fulfillment and distribution to University of California affiliates that have or plan to start their own publication programs. These services are provided under a cost-effective, revenue-share model using a zero-inventory, print-on-demand, and digital-file strategy approach to fill customer orders. Zero-inventory means that the books are printed when the order is placed rather than printed and shipped to a warehouse.
Leveraging strong vendor, aggregator, and bookseller relationships managed by UC Press; state-of-the-art inventory strategies; UC Press’s expanded website visibility; and UC Press operations expertise, UC affiliates can amplify the reach, sales, and discoverability of print and digital publications and utilize our up-to-date distribution strategies to navigate the increasingly complex requirements of selling books worldwide.
Who These Services Are For
Fulfillment and Distribution Services are available to all university affiliates (academic and research institutes, centers, departments, schools, colleges, cultural programs, and administrative offices) at any University of California campus. If you are a UC affiliate organization considering a change in your distribution strategy or looking to start a print or digital publication program, please schedule a free consultation with the Publishing Services @ UC Press Program Manager.
The Fulfillment Process
Fulfillment and distribution, inventory control, and file and metadata management are integrated publishing services designed to ensure publications reach customers efficiently and reliably. Prior to ordering, customers can discover titles through the UC Press website as well as their preferred retailers and wholesalers. Standardized ONIX metadata distribution ensures publication information is accurate, consistent, and widely available across sales channels.
From the moment an order is placed through shipment, fulfillment operations prioritize accuracy, quality control, and customer and credit management. Print-on-demand technology helps maintain continuous availability—titles are produced as orders are received, allowing affiliates to avoid overprinting while minimizing stock shortages. Multiple paper stocks and binding options support a range of publication needs.
Digital asset management workflows ensure ebooks are delivered to retail and library platforms, expanding discoverability and access across global digital channels.
Costs for Services
Aside from nominal onboarding costs, there are no upfront costs to participate in fulfillment and distribution services. Printing expenses are deducted from annual revenue-share disbursements. This model allows affiliates to make publications available commercially without assuming inventory risk or large upfront financial commitments.
Revenue
Fulfillment and distribution operate under a revenue-share model. Revenue is calculated on a calendar-year basis (January–December), with disbursements issued to the affiliate each March. All payments are made directly to the affiliate; Publishing Services does not distribute funds to individual authors.
Locations and Partners
Publishing Services @ UC Press office
UC Press
1111 Franklin Street
Oakland, CA 94607
UC Press fulfillment partner
Ingram Content Group LLC
1 Ingram Blvd.
La Vergne, TN 37086
UC Press print-on-demand partners
Lightning Source
USA and UK
Kindle Enterprise Publishing (KEP)
Global