DriveThruRPG Print-on-Demand Prices Increasing Again

Back in March 2025 we reported that print-on-demand costs at DriveThruRPG were increasing by as much as 50% in the US, with the price of a 300-page black-and-white hardcover rising from $13.08 to $19.04. The effect in the UK was much less pronounced, being only around 3-4%.

Now, less than a year later, DTRPG is increasing its PoD prices again. These new prices take effect on February 1st, 2026.

DTRPG uses Lightning Source as its printing partner and has print centres in the US, UK, and Australia. According to DTRPG's publisher newsletter, UK and Australia prices will increase by 3%, and US prices will increase by either 4% or 5%, depending on format--standard color will go up by +4%, while premium color and black & white will increase by +5%.

DriveThruRPG notes that the increase "is not driven by policy or positioning, but simply reflects the rising costs of paper and other materials, labor, and operations involved in producing physical books worldwide."

 

[Umbran]

But unfortunately our current government party in power ....

Mod note:
...would be a political topic that we shouldn't go into, due to the board no-politics rules, right? Right. Thanks.

 

[Weiley31]

That's the economist in you speaking.

Fenris-77's bank account has entered the chat.

Capitalist America when it sees Fenris-77s' bank account:

 

[TheSword]

In a lot of business-to-business we increase prices normally yearly relative to the the Consumer Price Index (cpi) for whatever niche we're working in. Similarly, there are salary increases, etc. Sometimes there are no such increases, but those are generally due to market competition, but eventually those prices do increase, and then often WAY more then by the CPI.

But 4%-5% increase is about 50% more then inflation numbers around here (Netherlands) for the last year. Not that it's impacting me at all, as I have never bought a physical product from DTRPG. It sucks for folks that prefer physical books over digital books.

4-5% is about right for Uk to be honest

 

[ENWorldUser]

Still waiting for WotC to make more POD for the Classics titles, has dropped off the last 2 years.

 

[cbwjm]

Still waiting for WotC to make more POD for the Classics titles, has dropped off the last 2 years.

Yeah, I get the feeling they don't care anymore, sadly.

 

[doctorhook]

Still waiting for WotC to make more POD for the Classics titles, has dropped off the last 2 years.

Great username, especially for a 15 year old account. Based on your post count though, it might not be completely accurate!

 

[ENWorldUser]

Great username, especially for a 15 year old account. Based on your post count though, it might not be completely accurate!

Been here almost daily since Eric Noah was running it ... mostly for the news, not the posts.
I am a real person, though I guess a bot would say that too..