The new service, launched for the return of its classic New Naturalist series, will allow readers to buy hardback titles, including Butterflies and Bumblebees, from 98 out-of-print volumes.
Each hardback volume will be printed at Martins the Printers – a family-owned print based in Berwick-upon-Tweed – and will undergo a series of binding processes to ensure the £50 books are near-identical to their originals.
Alex Gatrell, digital publisher at Collins, said: "The technology which now lets us print individual books in response to individual orders - print on demand - is a real breakthrough and one we recognised would be of value to the New Naturalist series."
He added: "Collectors will doubtless continue to seek out first editions, but a print-on-demand copy will fill gaps and provide an edition to read and enjoy."
While there are no immediate plans to roll-out the colour hardback service to other titles, Gatrell said the on-demand model "had potential".
Last month, HarperCollins turned to Butler Tanner & Dennis to print Michael Jackson Legend Hero Icon: A Tribute to the King of Pop. The Frome, Somerset-based colour book printer printed the 192pp title on its eight-colour large-format KBA Rapida 162a press in under one week.
