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Choose Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) if most of your readers buy from Amazon, you want Kindle distribution, or you need print-on-demand paperbacks and hardcovers without buying inventory. Choose IngramSpark if bookstore, library, and broader trade distribution is central and you are prepared to set wholesale discounts and accept the financial risk associated with returns. Many publishers use both, but they must coordinate ISBN ownership, pricing, formats, and distribution settings.
The platforms are not interchangeable royalty programs. KDP publishes headline ebook rates of 35% or 70% subject to eligibility rules, while IngramSpark describes ebook compensation as 85% of net revenue it receives. Print payouts depend on manufacturing cost, list price, market, discount, channel, and—on IngramSpark—your returns choice. Model the actual net amount for your book rather than choosing from a percentage alone.
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Decision at a glance
| Question | KDP is usually the better fit when… | IngramSpark is usually the better fit when… |
|---|---|---|
| Primary sales channel | Amazon is your main retailer and Kindle reach matters. | You need a title available to bookstores, libraries, and multiple online retailers through wholesale channels. |
| Print model | You want print-on-demand paperback or hardcover fulfillment with no upfront inventory for customer orders. | You want trade distribution controls, including wholesale discount and returns status. |
| Ebook strategy | You may enroll a Kindle ebook in KDP Select and accept 90-day exclusivity terms. | You want ebook distribution outside an Amazon-only plan; compensation is based on net revenue received by IngramSpark. |
| Financial exposure | You prefer a simpler Amazon-centered setup and no inventory purchase for ordinary KDP orders. | You can model wholesale margins and potentially pay the wholesale cost, handling, and shipping for returned copies. |
| ISBN plan | You can use an ISBN you own or one that fits your publishing plan. | You understand that an IngramSpark free ISBN is limited to IngramSpark and is not simply portable to another platform. |
“Available” does not mean “stocked.” A distribution feed can place metadata and ordering information in retailer systems without guaranteeing that a store will buy or carry copies.
What KDP and IngramSpark actually provide
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
KDP combines Kindle ebook publication with print-on-demand paperback and hardcover editions. KDP says the service is free to use and that print-on-demand orders do not require you to buy inventory in advance; printing cost is deducted when a print copy is sold. See the platform’s KDP earnings overview for the current structure.
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You upload a manuscript and cover, select marketplaces and prices, review the digital preview and print proof, and publish through the KDP publishing workflow. KDP provides formatting instructions, templates, Kindle Create, and royalty and cost calculators through its publishing tools page. You remain responsible for file quality, trim size, fonts, images, metadata, and proof review.
IngramSpark
IngramSpark offers print and ebook setup with global distribution. Its current pricing page says account setup and uploading are free and describes ebook compensation as 85% of net revenue received by IngramSpark. That is not 85% of your retail list price: retailer discounts, delivery arrangements, taxes, and other deductions affect the amount that reaches you.
For print, you set a retail price, wholesale discount, and returns option. IngramSpark’s title setup guidance describes US and Canada discount ranges of 40%–55% and international ranges of 35%–55%; it says 53%–55% is commonly accepted in trade channels. Those ranges are guidance, not a promise that a bookstore will order your book.
Format and channel coverage
| Format or channel | KDP | IngramSpark |
|---|---|---|
| Kindle ebook | Yes; 35% or 70% royalty options subject to territory, price, and other conditions. | Yes; the pricing page states 85% of net revenue received by IngramSpark. |
| Paperback | Yes, through print-on-demand and optional Expanded Distribution for eligible titles. | Yes, with wholesale discount and returns settings. |
| Hardcover | Yes, through print-on-demand. KDP Expanded Distribution does not apply to hardcovers. | Print distribution is available; exact manufacturing and compensation depend on specifications and market. |
| Amazon retail | Core channel, with direct Kindle and print listings. | Can feed books to retailers, but the platform does not turn every title into an Amazon bestseller or guarantee placement. |
| Bookstores and libraries | Expanded Distribution may make eligible paperbacks orderable, but acceptance or an order is not guaranteed. | Wholesale distribution is designed to make titles available to bookstores, libraries, and online retailers. |
KDP royalties, print costs, and distribution choices
Ebook royalty options are conditional
KDP lists 35% and 70% ebook royalty options. The 70% rate is available only when the ebook meets KDP’s territory, list-price, and other eligibility conditions; delivery costs can also be deducted. The official digital pricing page, updated April 21, 2026, contains the conditions. Do not treat 70% as a universal share of every sale or every country.
KDP’s earnings examples are tied to the specifications and marketplace stated in the example. A US example cannot be generalized to another market, file size, price, or tax situation. Calculate each edition using the actual marketplace and price you intend to use.
Print royalties vary by channel and book specification
KDP’s print pricing documentation describes standard-distribution royalty rates of 50% or 60% depending on list price and other conditions, with printing cost subtracted. Expanded Distribution uses a stated 40% of the applicable list price less printing costs and other applicable deductions. Printing cost changes with page count, trim and ink choices, marketplace, and fixed and per-page components.
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The practical calculation is:
print royalty = applicable royalty rate × list price − printing cost − any other applicable deductions
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Use the calculator and the exact book specification instead of comparing a percentage from one platform with a percentage based on a different revenue base.
Expanded Distribution is not guaranteed wholesale placement
KDP Expanded Distribution applies to eligible paperbacks, not hardcovers. KDP says availability can take up to eight weeks and does not guarantee acceptance by, or an order from, a retailer or library. The Expanded Distribution rules also matter if you use another distributor for the same title: overlapping distribution can be incompatible under the relevant eligibility terms. Check the current rules before enabling it.
KDP Select affects only Kindle ebooks, but it is a real exclusivity decision
KDP Select is free and enrolls a Kindle ebook for 90-day terms. While the ebook is enrolled, the digital edition is exclusive to Amazon; enrollment includes Kindle Unlimited and related promotional tools. The KDP Select help page explains the current terms.
Using KDP for a paperback or hardcover does not by itself require KDP Select. The decision is about the Kindle ebook’s distribution. If you want the same ebook listed through other retailers during the Select term, do not enroll it unless your plan permits that restriction.
IngramSpark economics and wholesale controls
Ebook compensation uses a different base
IngramSpark states that publishers receive 85% of net revenue received by IngramSpark for ebooks. “Net revenue received” is not the book’s list price: the retailer’s share and other deductions occur before that calculation. Compare a modeled net payout for the same title and market, not the 85% headline against KDP’s 35% or 70% as if they measured the same thing.
IngramSpark also advertises ebook conversion at a per-page charge. The current pricing page and its compensation calculator are the appropriate places to check current charges and assumptions.
Wholesale discount determines the trade margin
Your list price is the consumer-facing price. The wholesale discount is the percentage given to the distribution chain, so a larger discount leaves less of the list price for the publisher but may fit more retailers’ ordering expectations. IngramSpark’s published ranges are 40%–55% for the US and Canada and 35%–55% internationally. The platform describes 53%–55% as commonly accepted trade discounts; that is not an order guarantee.
Model the sequence explicitly:
- Set the retail list price for a specific market and format.
- Apply the wholesale discount selected for that market.
- Subtract print manufacturing cost and any applicable fees.
- Estimate the publisher’s compensation under the selected returns status.
Use the same trim size, page count, paper, ink, market, and list price when comparing an IngramSpark estimate with a KDP estimate.
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IngramSpark lets you choose whether a book is returnable and, for a returnable book, whether the returned copy is destroyed or delivered to you. The platform’s returns guidance says a returned copy can be charged back at the wholesale price. A “Yes – Deliver” choice adds shipping and handling for the delivered return.
Returnability may make a title easier for some bookstores to order, but it shifts inventory risk to you. A returned copy can cost more than the royalty you originally received, particularly when shipping is added. If you switch from returnable to non-returnable, the guide says booksellers may retain return rights during a transition period. Treat the setting as a financial decision, not a marketing checkbox.
ISBN ownership and portability
An ISBN identifies a specific format and edition; print paperback, hardcover, and ebook editions may require separate identifiers under the ISBN rules applicable to your market. Decide who owns those identifiers before uploading files to multiple services.
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IngramSpark’s free ISBN is limited to use on IngramSpark and cannot simply be transferred to another platform. Its free ISBN policy explains the restriction. Moving to an ISBN you own may require a new or revised title setup. Authors planning to distribute the same print edition through both services should generally settle ISBN ownership first, then keep title metadata, imprint information, and edition details consistent.
Distribution time is not a sales forecast
IngramSpark says wholesale distribution can take roughly 2–6 weeks for a title to appear on retailer websites and in internal ordering systems after distribution is enabled, according to its FAQ. That means the title can be ordered through the channel; it does not mean a store has stocked it, a library has selected it, or a reader has purchased it.
KDP Expanded Distribution can take up to eight weeks to become available and likewise does not guarantee retailer or library acceptance or an order. Plan launch dates around metadata and proof approval, and leave time for retailer feeds to update. Neither platform’s stated availability window is evidence of expected sales.
How to choose: a practical decision framework
Choose KDP first when these conditions describe your plan
- Your audience already buys through Amazon or primarily reads Kindle ebooks.
- You want to order author copies or fulfill reader demand through print-on-demand without purchasing a print run.
- You want a straightforward Amazon-centered workflow for paperback and hardcover editions.
- You are willing to keep a Kindle ebook exclusive during 90-day KDP Select terms in exchange for Kindle Unlimited and Select tools.
- You do not need bookstore-oriented wholesale settings for the initial launch.
Choose IngramSpark first when these conditions matter more
- Bookstore, library, school, or international trade availability is a core objective.
- You need to choose a wholesale discount by market and make an explicit returns decision.
- You can absorb or budget for the possibility of wholesale-cost returns, handling, and shipping.
- You want an ebook plan whose compensation is based on IngramSpark’s net revenue rather than an Amazon ebook-exclusive arrangement.
- You are prepared to manage ISBN ownership and detailed metadata for multiple formats.
Use both when each platform has a distinct job
A two-platform plan can pair KDP’s Amazon and Kindle workflow with IngramSpark’s wholesale network. Assign each format and channel deliberately. For example, you might use KDP for the Kindle ebook and Amazon-focused print sales while using IngramSpark for a print edition intended for bookstore and library ordering. The correct arrangement depends on the distributor rules for the exact edition, ISBN, and market; do not activate overlapping distribution merely because both dashboards offer a checkbox.
How to model your actual payout before publishing
- Define the edition. Record format, trim size, page count, interior ink, paper, cover finish, and the markets in which you will sell.
- Set a candidate list price. Use the same consumer price when comparing platforms, unless the channel requires a different price.
- Calculate KDP ebook proceeds. Test both eligible royalty options, include any delivery deduction, and verify that your price and territory qualify for the selected rate.
- Calculate KDP print proceeds. Apply the channel’s rate and subtract the platform’s printing cost. Run standard distribution and Expanded Distribution separately because their rates differ.
- Calculate IngramSpark print proceeds. Enter market, list price, print specifications, wholesale discount, and returns status in the compensation calculator.
- Calculate IngramSpark ebook proceeds. Start from the net revenue received by IngramSpark, then apply the stated 85% compensation basis and any current deductions or conversion charges.
- Stress-test returns. For a returnable IngramSpark edition, model at least one returned copy at wholesale cost plus the shipping and handling option you selected.
- Compare net dollars per sale. Record expected payout, not just royalty percentage, and keep separate rows for each market and format.
Because KDP and IngramSpark use different calculation bases, a larger percentage can still produce a smaller dollar payout. A calculator result is only as reliable as the specifications and assumptions entered.
Publishing on KDP: a preparation and launch checklist
- Prepare a final manuscript in the format required for Kindle, paperback, or hardcover. Reflowable ebooks and fixed-layout books need different production decisions.
- Create a cover that matches the selected format, trim size, and spine width. Check the platform’s current template and file requirements before exporting.
- Upload the manuscript and cover through the KDP setup flow, then inspect the online previewer for page breaks, tables, images, fonts, and navigation.
- Choose territories, list prices, and royalty options. Verify the 70% ebook eligibility conditions rather than assuming the rate applies.
- Order and inspect a print proof when the physical edition matters. Correct file or cover defects before release.
- Decide separately whether the Kindle ebook belongs in KDP Select. Do not enroll simply because the print edition is on KDP.
- Consider Expanded Distribution only after checking paperback eligibility, the 40% rate less print costs, the possible eight-week availability period, and the lack of an order guarantee.
Publishing on IngramSpark: a preparation and launch checklist
- Choose or acquire the ISBN for each edition before title setup. Do not assume the free IngramSpark ISBN can later be moved to another service.
- Prepare print-ready interior and cover files using the selected trim, paper, binding, and market requirements.
- Enter metadata, list price, wholesale discount, and returns status for every market in which distribution is enabled.
- Use the compensation calculator to test the effect of discount, manufacturing cost, and returns status before approving the title.
- Review a physical proof and correct production problems before enabling broad distribution.
- Allow approximately 2–6 weeks for retailer websites and ordering systems to show the title after distribution is enabled, while recognizing that listing does not equal stocking.
- Monitor orders and returns. Keep cash available if your returns setting exposes you to wholesale-cost, handling, or shipping charges.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Comparing headline percentages as if they were identical
KDP’s 35% and 70% ebook options are percentages of a defined royalty calculation, while IngramSpark’s 85% figure is based on net revenue received. Print rates also subtract manufacturing costs. Put both platforms into a same-specification calculator model before deciding.
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Assuming distribution guarantees a bookstore sale
Both services describe availability or ordering pathways, not guaranteed stocking. A retailer can list a title and still decline to carry copies. Direct outreach, local events, reviews, and appropriate metadata remain separate marketing work.
Turning on overlapping distribution without checking eligibility
An edition distributed through another service can conflict with KDP Expanded Distribution terms. Keep a title-level map of ISBN, format, distributor, territories, and enabled channels, and verify current platform rules before activating a second feed.
Choosing returnable without modeling the downside
Returnability can support trade ordering, but a returned copy may be charged at wholesale cost, with additional handling and shipping when delivery is selected. Set a reserve for that exposure and compare the result with a non-returnable strategy.
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Using a platform-restricted ISBN for a multi-platform plan
An IngramSpark free ISBN is platform-specific. If you later need the same edition on another service, changing identifiers can require a new or revised setup and can split metadata or reviews. Make the ownership decision before publication.
Expecting one price to work in every market
Royalty eligibility, print cost, wholesale discount, taxes, currency, and retailer practices vary by territory. Enter each market separately and carry the market qualification alongside every payout estimate.
A simple launch architecture for a multi-channel publisher
Start by deciding which reader channel each edition is meant to serve. Assign a unique ISBN and a single source of truth for title, subtitle, author name, imprint, description, categories, and publication date. Then map the channels before uploading:
| Edition | Primary platform | Secondary decision | Control to document |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle ebook | KDP | KDP Select or non-exclusive distribution | 90-day exclusivity choice, territories, price, royalty eligibility |
| Paperback for Amazon readers | KDP | Whether Expanded Distribution is appropriate | Print cost, standard or Expanded Distribution rate, ISBN |
| Paperback for trade channels | IngramSpark | Whether a separate KDP listing is also used | Wholesale discount, returns status, ISBN, market |
| Hardcover | KDP or IngramSpark according to channel need | Do not assume KDP Expanded Distribution applies | Format-specific cost, price, identifier, and retailer path |
Keep the editions’ metadata consistent but do not merge different formats or identifiers into one record. If a retailer shows duplicate or conflicting listings, check the ISBN, title metadata, publication date, and distributor feeds before changing prices or files.
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KDP is the lower-friction choice for an Amazon- and Kindle-led business model with print-on-demand fulfillment. IngramSpark is the stronger fit when wholesale access and control over discount and returns justify the additional financial and operational decisions. A coordinated dual-platform strategy can serve both audiences, but only when ISBNs, formats, prices, and distribution rights are mapped in advance and the net payout—including possible returns—is understood for each market.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
