Ordering and Delivery …
Explaining Science Publishing is a small, independent publisher dedicated to creating beautiful, engaging science books.
Because we operate independently, we want to be completely transparent about how our books are made, packed, and delivered to your doorstep.
How Your Order Works (Print-on-Demand)
Unlike massive online retailers who store thousands of pre-printed copies in huge warehouses, our books are printed to order.
When you place an order on our site, your books are sent directly to our professional eco-friendly printing partners, where they are individually printed, bound, and packaged just for you.
- Production Time: It typically takes 2 to 4 working days for your book to be printed and bound before it ships.
- Delivery Time: Once printed, standard shipping usually takes 2 to 3 working days depending on your location.
Because every book is printed fresh upon ordering, delivery takes a little bit longer than the near-instant dispatch of large corporate sites – but your patience directly supports independent science publishing!
Buying Direct vs. Buying on Amazon
We want you to get your books in whatever way works best for you!
- On Amazon: Our paperback editions are available on Amazon. If you need a book urgently or are ordering last-minute, Amazon’s fulfilment network offers faster delivery times.
- Direct From Us: When you buy directly from our website, we make a significantly higher profit on every single copy sold.
Buying directly from us ensures that a much larger portion of your purchase goes straight back into researching, writing, illustrating, and producing future science books. If you can afford to wait a few extra days, ordering direct makes a huge difference to our small imprint.
Postage & Shipping Rates
Shipping fees are calculated based on fixed rates set directly by our print-and-fulfillment partners to cover the cost of secure trackable packaging and delivery.
- UK Orders: Fixed standard shipping rate applied at checkout. Free shipping on all orders over £20!
If your order reaches £20 (UK), the free shipping option will automatically activate at checkout.
Questions About Your Order?
If you ever have a question about an existing order, or if you are a school or retailer looking for bulk discount orders, please don’t hesitate to reach out via our contact page. We’re always happy to help!