There has been some discussion about out of print titles, and we would like to define some of the terminology used here at Jeffers Handbell Supply, and gererally among music publishers.
Permanently Out of Print (POP): This is a title that is no longer being published and there are no plans to reprint the title.
Temporarily Out of Print (TOP): These titles are still available and in print. They are titles that are either back ordered from the publisher, awaiting corrections from the arrainger so that it can be reprinted or is in the process of being reprinted. This usually occurs when a publisher receives a lot of orders for a title in a short period of time.
Print on Demand (POD) / Demand Print (DP): This is a relatively new term. These titles are still in print, however, there is generally not enough demand for a publisher to print a full run of the music. Therefore the publisher prints the piece as they need it. The quality of these print on demand titles vary depending on the publisher. Some publishers print double sided on a heavy bond paper, while others use photocopies of the original piece (these are sent with a letter from the publisher explaining the fact that it is a licensed copy).
Hopefully this will help to explain some of the terms, but it is always best to ask questions if you don't understand the phrase being used.
Written by:
Warren Dickinson
Sales Manager
JHSbell@aol.com
30 Sep 1997
Archived original can be found at: Out of Print Defined