(And When It Actually Matters)
If you’re publishing your book in print, you will quickly run into this question: Should you use Amazon KDP or IngramSpark? Some people treat this like a rivalry. It’s not. They serve different purposes. And in many cases, serious indie authors use both.
Let’s break it down clearly so you can decide what fits your goals.
Quick answer: KDP is usually best for authors selling primarily on Amazon, while IngramSpark is better for authors seeking bookstore and library distribution.
What Amazon KDP Does Well
Amazon KDP is Amazon’s print-on-demand and eBook platform.
For many indie authors, KDP is where they start publishing. The platform is free to use, relatively simple to learn, and gives authors direct access to Amazon’s massive customer base. If your primary goal is selling books on Amazon, KDP is often the fastest path from manuscript to marketplace.
It is:
- Simple to set up
- Integrated directly with Amazon
- Fast for approvals
- Free to use
- Ideal for beginners
When you publish a paperback through KDP, your book appears on Amazon automatically. It prints on demand when someone orders it.
For many authors, that is enough.
If most of your sales will happen on Amazon, KDP alone may be perfectly sufficient.
Where KDP Has Limitations
KDP’s Expanded Distribution can make eligible paperbacks available to distributors used by bookstores, online retailers, libraries, and academic institutions. It does not cover KDP hardcovers. Amazon is also clear that enrollment does not guarantee a distributor will accept the book or that a particular bookstore or library will order it.
Here is the distinction that matters: available for a bookstore to order is not the same as attractive for a bookstore to stock. A bookseller still decides whether the book suits its customers and whether the purchasing terms work for the store.
So if you want:
- A better chance of physical bookstore placement
- More control over wholesale terms
- Broader access to bookstore and library ordering systems
KDP alone may not be enough. That is where IngramSpark comes in.
What IngramSpark Does Well
IngramSpark connects your book to Ingram’s distribution network.
IngramSpark is often chosen by authors who want their books available beyond Amazon. Through Ingram’s network, books can be made available to bookstores, libraries, and online retailers around the world. While the platform involves more publishing decisions than KDP, many authors feel the broader distribution is worth it.
This includes opportunities to reach:
- Independent bookstores
- Large retailers
- Libraries
- International markets
It allows you to:
- Set a wholesale discount within its available terms
- Choose whether the print book is returnable
- Position your book for bookstore ordering
That still does not promise shelf space. IngramSpark makes the book available to buyers; individual retailers and libraries decide whether to order it.
The Cost Differences
KDP:
- Free to upload, with no setup fee
- Printing cost deducted when a print book sells
- Amazon paperback royalties are currently 50% or 60% of list price, depending on the price and marketplace, minus printing costs; eligible Expanded Distribution sales use 40% minus printing costs
IngramSpark:
- Currently free to create an account and upload a print book or ebook
- Print cost and applicable fees affect publisher compensation on each sale
- The wholesale discount you choose also affects what you earn
Neither platform has an upload fee under its current terms. What you earn on a sale depends on the book’s price, print specifications, and sales channel. KDP’s paperback royalty explanation shows its formula; IngramSpark’s publisher compensation calculator lets you test your own IngramSpark figures.
IngramSpark requires more decision-making.
Which Is Better for First-Time Authors?
If you’re publishing your first book and trying to decide between KDP and IngramSpark, KDP is usually the easier place to begin. The setup process is relatively straightforward, and your book can be available on Amazon after review. Many indie authors start with KDP, learn the publishing process, and then add IngramSpark later when they want broader distribution. If you think you might use both, read the ISBN section below before choosing a free ISBN.
The Wholesale Discount Factor
This is important.
A wholesale discount is the portion of your book’s list price set aside for the distribution and retail chain. It is not simply money handed to the bookstore: a wholesaler may keep some and pass some on to the retailer. The amount left after the discount is the wholesale price, from which printing and applicable costs are deducted before you receive publisher compensation.
For example, a $20 book with a 55% wholesale discount has a $9 wholesale price. That is not a $9 profit for the author. IngramSpark deducts the costs that apply to that sale from the wholesale price. Try your own price, page count, and discount in its publisher compensation calculator.
IngramSpark explains that wholesalers and booksellers share in the discount. Its current guidance says a 53% to 55% discount with returnable status generally provides the widest availability through retailers and bookstores. That can make your book easier for a store to consider. It never guarantees that a store will stock it.
KDP does not give authors the same control over bookstore discounts and return status through Expanded Distribution. If you want bookstores to seriously consider carrying your book, IngramSpark gives you more control over those terms. Choose them with your potential earnings and risk in mind.
Understanding Returns Risk
One important detail many new authors overlook is that IngramSpark allows print books to be marked as returnable. This can make bookstores more willing to stock your book, but it also shifts the financial risk to you.
Before you click “Returnable”…
Making your book returnable can make it more attractive to bookstores. It also means you may be financially responsible for copies they send back. Understand that cost before turning the option on.
If a bookstore returns unsold copies, IngramSpark charges the publisher the wholesale cost of the returned books. In our $20 example with a 55% discount, that is $9 per returned copy. If you choose “Yes – Deliver,” shipping and handling also apply to send returned copies to you. With “Yes – Destroy,” you still owe the wholesale cost, but the returned copies are destroyed instead. You can also choose non-returnable status.
For authors pursuing bookstore placement, returnability can be a worthwhile tradeoff. However, it is important to understand the potential costs before enabling returns.
Print Quality Differences
Print Quality Differences
Both use print-on-demand.
Paper, color, and finish options differ, and the result can depend on the specifications you choose. Ordering proof copies from both platforms can help you decide what works for your particular book. Our print proof review guide can help you check the finished copies carefully.
Is IngramSpark Print Quality Better Than KDP?
There is no single answer for every book. Both KDP and IngramSpark use print-on-demand technology and offer choices that affect the finished result. Some authors prefer the paper or color reproduction from one platform over the other, but your own trim size, paper, ink, and cover choices matter. If print quality is especially important for your project, compare physical proofs with the same intended specifications.
KDP vs IngramSpark: Which One Should You Choose?
The best choice depends on your publishing goals.
If you plan to sell primarily through Amazon and want the simplest publishing experience possible, KDP is usually the better fit.
If your goal is broader distribution to bookstores, libraries, and retailers outside Amazon, IngramSpark may be the stronger option.
Some authors choose to use both platforms. There is no single right answer. The best platform is the one that supports your publishing strategy.
Can You Use KDP and IngramSpark Together?
Yes. Why not use KDP for Amazon sales and IngramSpark for the wider wholesale network? That is a practical approach for many print books, provided you set up the ISBN and distribution options deliberately.
First, decide which ISBN will identify your paperback. A free ISBN assigned by KDP can only be used on KDP; a free IngramSpark ISBN cannot be used on KDP. If you own the ISBN, IngramSpark says you can use its distribution alongside KDP for the print book. Keep the book’s identifying details consistent. Paperback and hardcover are separate formats and need separate ISBNs. See our guide to choosing your own ISBN before you make that decision.
Second, do not enroll that KDP paperback in Expanded Distribution when using IngramSpark to distribute it. IngramSpark explicitly recommends leaving that option off. KDP also says an ISBN already submitted for distribution through another service is not eligible for its Expanded Distribution. If your book is already enrolled, review the settings and the distribution status before adding the same ISBN elsewhere.
Finally, remember that IngramSpark’s network includes online retailers, potentially including Amazon. Using both platforms gives you a direct KDP route to Amazon and an IngramSpark route into wholesale distribution; it is not a promise of a specific retailer listing, bookstore order, or sales outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can bookstores order books from Amazon KDP?
Yes. KDP Expanded Distribution can make eligible paperbacks available through distributors used by bookstores and libraries. Availability is not a promise that a store or library will order the book.
Is KDP or IngramSpark better for bookstores?
If physical bookstore placement is a goal, IngramSpark gives you more control over the wholesale discount and return terms that affect whether a bookseller wants to stock your book. KDP Expanded Distribution can still make an eligible paperback orderable. Neither platform guarantees shelf space.
Can I use KDP and IngramSpark at the same time?
Yes. Many indie authors use KDP for direct Amazon print sales and IngramSpark for wider wholesale distribution. Plan your ISBN and leave KDP Expanded Distribution off for that paperback, as explained above.
Do I need two ISBNs for KDP and IngramSpark?
Not automatically. If you own the ISBN for the same paperback edition, IngramSpark says you can use it while also publishing directly with KDP, provided you do not use KDP Expanded Distribution. Platform-provided free ISBNs cannot travel between the two services. A hardcover or another format needs its own ISBN.
Should I use KDP Expanded Distribution if I use IngramSpark?
For the same print book, IngramSpark says to leave KDP Expanded Distribution off. KDP’s eligibility rules also exclude an ISBN already submitted for distribution through another service. Use the direct KDP Amazon channel and plan the wholesale channel separately.
Does IngramSpark put my book on Amazon?
IngramSpark’s distribution network includes online retailers, including Amazon, but making a book available to a retailer does not guarantee how or when its listing will appear or that anyone will order it. Authors who want to manage their Amazon print edition directly may also publish through KDP, using the ISBN and distribution precautions above.
Final Thought
Choosing between KDP and IngramSpark is not about finding a winner.
Both platforms serve different purposes, and the best choice depends on where you want your book to reach readers.
Take time to consider your goals, your distribution strategy, and how much control you want over bookstore and library access.
The right publishing path is the one that supports your long-term author career.
Whichever route you choose, you will need a properly formatted book to upload.
ChapterMint lets you format your book and see how it looks before you pay. When you are happy with it, export the files you need for publishing.
You might also enjoy:
Complete Book Formatting Guide
How to Format Your Book for Kindle or Print
What Does “Formatting” Even Mean? (For Real.)
Common Formatting Mistakes New Authors Make
