Higher per copy
Amazon KDP (Amazon.com)
$5.60
| Royalty rate | 60% of $15.00 |
|---|---|
| Gross | $9.00 |
| Print cost | −$3.40 |
| Per copy | $5.60 |
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KDP vs IngramSpark:Which Should You Use?
Amazon KDP is the simplest way to sell on Amazon and usually pays more per copy there. IngramSpark gets your book into bookstores and libraries. Here's how they compare on royalties, 2026 fees, returns, hardcovers, and ISBNs, and why most authors use both.
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The Short Answer
Use KDP for Amazon: it's free, simple, and pays 60% of list price minus print cost on paperbacks priced $9.99 or more. Use IngramSpark for bookstores, libraries, and other retailers: it offers wholesale discounts, returns, and dust-jacket hardcovers, but pays less per copy. Most authors publish on both, using their own ISBN and turning off KDP Expanded Distribution.
Best for Amazon
KDP
Best for bookstores & libraries
IngramSpark
Setup fees
Free on both
Common strategy
Use both with your own ISBN
Side by side
KDP vs IngramSpark: Key Differences
Highlighted cells show which platform usually has the advantage.
| Factor | Amazon KDP | IngramSpark |
|---|---|---|
| Main reach | Advantage. Amazon stores worldwide | Advantage. Bookstores, libraries and online retailers via Ingram's network |
| Setup cost | Free | Free |
| Revision fees | Advantage. Free | Advantage. Free (removed February 1, 2026) |
| Paperback royalty | Advantage. 60% of list price minus print cost ($9.99+), 50% below | List price minus wholesale discount, print cost and 1.875% distribution fee |
| Wholesale discount | Not set by you on Amazon | Advantage. You choose, giving control over bookstore appeal |
| Returns for bookstores | Not offered | Advantage. Optional |
| Hardcover | Case laminate | Advantage. Case laminate and dust jacket |
| Library ordering | Limited | Advantage. Strong, through Ingram's wholesale catalog |
| ISBN | Advantage. Free Amazon-only ISBN available, or your own | Your own ISBN |
| Ease of use | Advantage. Simpler, author-friendly | More settings to understand |
| Amazon listing | Advantage. Managed directly in your KDP account | Listed through Ingram's distribution feed |
| Author copies | Advantage. At print cost plus shipping | At print cost plus shipping and fees |
Free Tool
Royalty Per Copy: KDP vs IngramSpark
Compare earnings for the same paperback on both platforms.
KDP pays $1.98 more per copy.
IngramSpark (wholesale)
$3.62
| After 40% discount | $9.00 |
|---|---|
| Distribution fee (1.875%) | −$0.28 |
| Print cost | −$5.10 |
| Per copy | $3.62 |
KDP print cost uses KDP's published black-ink regular-trim formula. IngramSpark print costs aren't published as a formula, so enter the figure from IngramSpark's own calculator; the default is an illustrative estimate for a 200-page 6×9 paperback. Estimates before tax.
Need Kindle and hardcover royalties too? Use our full KDP royalty calculator.
2026 Fees
Fees and Royalty Rules in 2026
KDP paperback royalty
60% of list price minus printing cost for paperbacks priced $9.99 or more on Amazon.com, and 50% at $9.98 or less.
KDP Expanded Distribution
40% of list price minus printing cost for sales through other retailers.
IngramSpark setup & revisions
Title setup is free, and revision fees were removed on February 1, 2026, so updates no longer cost extra.
IngramSpark distribution fee
1.875% of the list price on books sold through its distribution network, up from 1.5% before 2026.
IngramSpark print costs
Print costs changed in 2026 and rose for most formats, especially hardcover and color. Check IngramSpark’s calculator for your specs.
Returns trade-off
Offering a 55% discount with returns appeals to bookstores but cuts per-copy earnings. A 40% no-returns setting suits online-focused authors.
Decision Guide
Which Platform Fits Your Book?
Choose KDP only if...
- Most of your sales will come from Amazon
- You’re publishing genre fiction or an ebook-first series
- You want the simplest setup
- You don’t need bookstore or library orders
Choose IngramSpark if...
- You want bookstores and libraries to order your book
- You need a dust-jacket hardcover
- You’re publishing children’s, gift, or local-interest books
- You plan events, signings, or school visits
Use both if...
- You want maximum Amazon royalties and wide distribution
- You own your ISBNs
- You’re publishing nonfiction, memoir, or business books
- You want a hardcover alongside a paperback
Recommended Setup
How to Publish on Both KDP and IngramSpark
This setup gives you Amazon’s higher royalty and Ingram’s wider reach.
Buy your own ISBNs
Buy ISBNs from Bowker so the same paperback ISBN can be used on both platforms. KDP’s free ISBN cannot be used on IngramSpark.
Publish the paperback on KDP
Upload the paperback to KDP for Amazon sales and leave Expanded Distribution turned off.
Publish the same edition on IngramSpark
Upload the same files and ISBN to IngramSpark for bookstores, libraries and other online retailers.
Set discount and returns on IngramSpark
Choose a wholesale discount and returns setting based on whether you are targeting bookstores or online sales.
Add a hardcover on IngramSpark if needed
Use IngramSpark for dust-jacket hardcovers, which KDP does not offer.
Match list prices
Keep the same list price on both platforms to avoid price-matching conflicts.
Need ISBNs? See our ISBN & copyright registration service.
Done for You
We Set Up Both Platforms, In Your Name
Your book, your ISBNs, your accounts, and 100% of your royalties.
Amazon KDP setup
Formatting, cover, pricing, categories and keywords.
IngramSpark setup
Discount, returns and metadata configured for bookstores.
Hardcover editions
Case laminate and dust-jacket hardcovers prepared for print.
FAQ
References
Sources
- KDP: Paperback royalty(opens in a new tab)
- KDP: Paperback printing cost(opens in a new tab)
- IngramSpark: 2026 changes in print cost, fees and more(opens in a new tab)
- IngramSpark: How to calculate wholesale earnings(opens in a new tab)
- Alliance of Independent Authors: What IngramSpark’s 2026 pricing changes mean(opens in a new tab)
Get on Amazon and Into Bookstores
We set up KDP and IngramSpark with your ISBNs and accounts, so you keep full control and 100% of your royalties.
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