Booktailor is to license its e-business architecture to non-fiction and reference publishers, enabling them to produce on-demand customised books via the web.


Tailor Publishing comprises proprietary back-end software and a web interface allowing the creation of customised print or e-books from existing content "in a matter of minutes".


According to the London firm, typical Tailor Publishing applications include customised textbooks or course packs for students, computer manuals and information guides for conference delegates.


Booktailor started out in November 1999 as a publisher of customised travel guides. Its site enables travellers to build their own books online by selecting specific areas of interest using content licensed from publishers such as Lonely Planet.


It recently secured a deal with Lastminute.com to sell the guides, which are produced using Xerox digital printers by GWC in Swindon, from the travel and leisure agents site (PrintWeek, 30 March).


Founder and chief executive officer Chiara Medioli said the move to licensing its architecture was "a logical extension of our initial offering".


l Booktailor has also appointed former McGraw-Hill Continental Europe managing director Fulvio Bruno as chief operating officer to drive "internal and external strategies and steer its international expansion".


Story by Lauretta Roberts