Contact a print-on-demand publisher and compare prices and features. If you plan to order a large number of books, a company that charges an upfront fee may offer a lower per-book cost, but if you are publishing a small number of books, it might be more affordable to go with a company that does not charge an upfront fee, but has a slightly higher per-book cost.
Decide on the book size, binding and cover options. It is important to decide this to properly format your book document according to the printer's specifications. For example, Lulu.com lists its size, binding and cover options on its website.
Format and proof your book into a word processing document. You will need to set the page size and margins according to the guidelines given by your print-on-demand printer. A title page, dedication page, copyright page, index and table of contents must be added to the document when applicable.
Edit your book. Even when you privately publish a book, it should be edited and proofread. Hire someone with editing skills to perform this task.
Design your book cover. Some print-on-demand printers will have artwork to which you can add text during the uploading process. If you want a custom book cover, a digital image sized according to the printer's specifications can be uploaded with your document file.
Acquire an International Standard Book Number (ISBN). This is necessary should you decide to sell your book in bookstores. An ISBN can be purchased through some print-on-demand printers or a block of numbers can be purchased directly from Bowker. The ISBN must be included on the copyright page of the book and a coinciding barcode must be placed on the back cover.
Include a copyright page and notice. You do not actually need a notice or copyright registration to have your original work protected by copyright laws. To better establish your rights, register your copyright. You must complete the online form, pay a fee and submit a copy of your book.
Upload your completed document onto the print-on-demand website. For example, when publishing with Lulu.com, click the Publish tab on the homepage and then follow the appropriate links. Click the option that states to keep it private. During the publishing wizard process, the document file and the cover image stored on your computer will be uploaded onto the website. In a matter of minutes, you will be able to order the first copy of your privately published book.