KDP and IngramSpark both print your book only when someone orders it, so neither needs money upfront for stock. They differ in who they reach, what they cost and how much control you get. This guide compares them plainly so you can choose, or decide to use both.
What each one is
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is Amazon’s own platform. You upload your files, and Amazon prints paperbacks and hardbacks on demand and sells ebooks in the Kindle store. It is free to use and has a simple dashboard.
IngramSpark belongs to Ingram, the largest book wholesaler in the English-speaking world. It prints on demand and lists your book in the catalogues that bookshops, libraries and online retailers order from. It is aimed at reaching places other than Amazon.
Side by side
| KDP | IngramSpark | |
|---|---|---|
| Main strength | Selling on Amazon | Reaching bookshops, libraries and other retailers |
| ISBN | Free ISBN offered, or use your own | You must supply your own |
| Fees | No upfront fee | Fees have applied for set-up and file changes in the past, so check the current terms |
| Wholesale discount | Fixed by Amazon | You choose it, and bookshops usually expect around 55% |
| Returns | Not offered to bookshops | You can allow returns, which some shops require |
| File checks | Automated and fairly forgiving | Stricter, so files need careful preparation |
| Ebooks | Kindle store | Distributes to several other ebook stores |
How the money works
On KDP paperbacks, Amazon pays 60% of the list price minus the printing cost when the book sells on Amazon, and a lower share through its expanded distribution. For ebooks, the 70% rate applies to many titles priced between $2.99 and $9.99, and 35% applies outside that band. Amazon changes its terms from time to time, so confirm the current figures before you set a price.
IngramSpark pays you the list price minus the wholesale discount you chose and the printing cost. If you offer 55% to bookshops, there is not much left on a low-priced book, so many authors set a higher list price for this channel.
Can you get into bookshops?
Being listed in Ingram’s catalogue means a bookshop can order your book. It does not mean they will. Shops decide what to stock based on demand, discount and whether the book is returnable, and they are cautious about print on demand titles from unknown authors. The realistic goal for most independent authors is to make the book orderable for a customer who asks for it, and to approach local shops directly.
Using both without problems
- Use your own ISBN. A free KDP ISBN cannot be used elsewhere.
- Turn off KDP’s expanded distribution if you use IngramSpark for the same edition, otherwise the book can be listed twice through two routes.
- Keep the same title, subtitle, author name and price logic across both, so the listings match.
- Prepare the cover and interior to the stricter IngramSpark specification first. The same files will then pass on KDP.
Which should you choose?
- Choose KDP alone if nearly all of your readers will buy on Amazon and you want the simplest set-up.
- Choose IngramSpark as well if you want libraries, bookshops and other retailers to be able to order the book.
- Choose both if you are publishing a book you want to be available everywhere, and you are happy to manage two accounts.
Whichever you pick, the quality of your files decides how the book looks in the reader’s hands. Our self-publishing service sets up the accounts in your own name, and our formatting service prepares files that pass both platforms. If you are unsure about the ISBN step, read do you need an ISBN? next.
