Blog
KDP vs. IngramSpark: Which Print-on-Demand Service is Right for You?
For independent authors, the ability to sell a physical, printed book without any upfront inventory costs is a modern miracle, made possible by print-on-demand (POD) technology. The two undisputed titans in the POD space are Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Print and IngramSpark.
Choosing between them or learning how to use them together is one of the most significant strategic decisions you will make for your print book. While both services will print and ship your book to customers, they have fundamental differences in distribution, cost, and philosophy. This guide will break down the KDP vs. IngramSpark debate to help you make the smartest choice for your author career.
Key Takeaways & Summary
- KDP is Amazon-Focused: KDP Print is Amazon’s native POD service. It is free to use, easy to set up, and offers the highest royalty rate for sales made on Amazon.
- IngramSpark is for Wide Distribution: IngramSpark is the POD arm of Ingram, the largest book distributor in the world. Its primary strength is getting your book into the catalog used by thousands of bookstores, libraries, and other online retailers.
- The Core Trade-Off: Amazon Reach vs. Global Reach: KDP is the best choice for maximizing your profits on Amazon. IngramSpark is the best choice for making your book widely available to the entire book trade.
- The Pro Strategy: Use Both: Many successful authors use KDP Print for their Amazon sales and IngramSpark for their “expanded distribution” to all other stores.
What is KDP Print? Amazon's Powerhouse
KDP Print is the print-on-demand service integrated directly into your Amazon KDP dashboard. It is designed to be the simplest, most direct way to get a paperback version of your book for sale on the world’s largest bookstore.
Strengths:
Free to Use: There are no setup fees or revision fees.
Highest Royalties on Amazon: For sales made directly on the Amazon website, KDP Print’s royalty structure is more profitable than IngramSpark’s.
Ease of Use: It is seamlessly integrated with your KDP ebook setup, making it very user-friendly for beginners.
Free ISBN: KDP can provide a free ISBN for your book, although it can only be used on their platform.
What is IngramSpark? The Gateway to the World
IngramSpark is a POD service owned by Ingram Content Group, the largest book wholesaler in the United States. Its purpose is to get your book into the massive Ingram catalog.
Strengths:
Unmatched Wide Distribution: When your book is in the Ingram catalog, it can be ordered by over 40,000 bookstores, libraries, and online retailers (including Barnes & Noble) worldwide. This is their superpower.
More Print Options: IngramSpark offers hardcover printing in addition to paperback, a feature KDP does not currently have.
Prestige: Being in the Ingram catalog is seen as more “professional” by many in the traditional book trade.
KDP vs. IngramSpark: A Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | KDP Print | IngramSpark |
| Primary Distribution | Amazon websites worldwide. | Global: Bookstores, libraries, Apple, B&N, etc. |
| Upfront Cost | Free. | Setup fee per book + revision fees. |
| ISBN Requirement | Free ISBN provided, or use your own. | Must provide your own purchased ISBN. |
| Royalty on Amazon Sales | Higher (60% – print cost). | Lower. |
| Royalty on Other Sales | Lower (40% – print cost via Expanded Dist.). | Higher. |
| Print Options | Paperback only. | Paperback and Hardcover. |
The Professional Strategy: Using Both KDP and IngramSpark Together
The best strategy for maximizing both your profits and your reach is to use both platforms in tandem.
How it Works: You publish your paperback on KDP and on IngramSpark, using the exact same ISBN that you have purchased yourself.
On KDP: You publish your book but do not enroll it in “Expanded Distribution.” This means KDP will only handle the sales made directly on Amazon websites.
On IngramSpark: You publish the same book and make it available for distribution to all channels except Amazon.
The Result: You get the higher KDP royalty for your Amazon sales and the superior wide distribution of IngramSpark for all other sales channels. This “best of both worlds” approach is a common topic of discussion for author organizations like the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).
Our Amazon KDP publishing services can help you navigate the KDP side of this professional strategy.
Short FAQ
Q: Do I really need my own ISBN?
A: If you only ever plan to use KDP and sell on Amazon, you can use their free one. However, if you want to use IngramSpark or the professional “use both” strategy, you must purchase your own ISBN from a service like Bowker.
Q: Is the print quality different?
A: Both KDP and IngramSpark use high-quality, state-of-the-art printing facilities. The print quality is generally considered to be very comparable, and most readers would not be able to tell the difference.
Q: If I’m a beginner, which should I start with?
A: If you are on a tight budget and are new to publishing, starting with KDP Print only is the simplest and most cost-effective way to get your paperback on the world’s biggest bookstore. You can always expand to IngramSpark later.
