Abstract: A system for manufacturing a book on demand includes a first printing unit for printing a first component of the book (i.e. a cover), a second printing unit for printing a second component of the book (i.e. a text block), and a binding station for binding the first component and the second component together. The system may further include a computer control system receiving information relating to the book to be manufactured, the information comprising information relating to the content of said first or second component and information relating to the finished size of the book. The computer control system initiates—among other functions—manufacture of the first component by said first printing unit, receives a signal that the printing of the first component is successful and, after receipt of this signal, initiates printing of the second component by said second printing unit. The first component could be stored in a buffer until the second component is ready.