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A publisher will usually create a print run of a fixed number of copies of a new book.

These books can be ordered in bulk by booksellers, and when all the bookseller's copies are sold, the bookseller has the option to order additional copies.

If the initial print run sells out quickly, the publisher will probably have more copies printed.

When the book is no longer selling at a rate fast enough to pay for the inventory costs, the publisher will cease to print additional copies, and may remainder or pulp the remaining unsold copies.

When all of the books in a print run are sold to booksellers, the book is said to be " out of print ", meaning that a bookseller cannot get any further copies from the publisher.

If a book sells surprisingly quickly, a book may be out of print briefly when its initial print run is exhausted, but soon reprinted.