If you're self-publishing a print book, you'll eventually run into the same question almost every indie author asks: should I use Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or both? It's a genuinely confusing decision, partly because a lot of advice online is outdated. So here's an honest, current breakdown to help you decide.
They're not really competitors
The first thing to understand is that KDP and IngramSpark aren't two versions of the same thing. They do different jobs.
Amazon KDP is a marketplace. It sells your book directly on Amazon, the largest bookstore on earth. When a reader searches Amazon and finds your book, that's KDP working. It's free to set up, fast (your book can be live in a day or two), and pays solid royalties.
IngramSpark is a distributor. It doesn't sell to readers directly — it makes your book available to retailers who then order it: independent bookstores, Barnes & Noble, libraries, academic institutions, and international shops. Its network reaches tens of thousands of retailers worldwide.
A useful way to think about it: KDP is your cash engine; IngramSpark is your credibility-and-reach engine.
Royalties: where the real money difference shows
For most indie authors, the bulk of sales come through Amazon — and on Amazon sales, KDP simply pays more. KDP's print royalty is up to 60% of list price minus printing cost. IngramSpark pays less per copy because it has to leave margin for the wholesale chain — you set a trade discount (typically 40–55%) that goes to distributors and bookstores.
On the same paperback, KDP can pay roughly twice what IngramSpark pays per Amazon sale. So if Amazon is where your readers are, KDP is the better earner there. IngramSpark earns its keep through the channels KDP can't reach.
Distribution: the honest version
IngramSpark's big selling point is bookstore and library access. But here's the honest caveat most articles skip: being available to bookstores doesn't mean bookstores will stock you. Independent shops rarely carry self-published titles on their own. The real, practical value of IngramSpark distribution is:
A reader can walk into their local bookstore and order your book, and the shop can actually fulfill it. You can order author copies near cost for events. And your hardcover exists as a discoverable format. Those are real benefits — just keep your expectations grounded.
Print quality and formats
Both platforms print on professional print-on-demand networks, and for a standard black-and-white paperback, the difference is minimal. Where IngramSpark pulls ahead is premium formats: hardcovers with proper case binding and dust jackets, more paper choices, and generally stronger color printing — which matters a lot for children's books, art books, and anything image-heavy. KDP's color interiors are notoriously expensive by comparison.
Costs and ISBNs
KDP is free to set up and free to update. IngramSpark made paperback setup free but charges for hardcover setup and a small fee for revisions after publishing — so iterating on a series can add up. Fees change, so always check the current official pages before committing.
On ISBNs: KDP gives you a free one but lists Amazon as the publisher of record. IngramSpark requires you to own your ISBN, which makes you the publisher — better for author branding and required if you want full control of distribution.
So which should you choose?
Choose KDP alone if you're launching fast, Amazon is your main sales channel, you're publishing a standard paperback or ebook, and you're still testing your market. This covers most first-time authors. It's free, fast, and pays the best on Amazon.
Add IngramSpark if you want bookstore and library availability, you're publishing a hardcover or premium-color book, your book is long-form, you're building an imprint with multiple titles, or you need returns enabled for bookshops.
Use both (the pro setup) if you want maximum reach. The standard professional approach is to publish on KDP for Amazon, and use IngramSpark for everywhere-else — turning off IngramSpark's Amazon distribution so you keep KDP's higher Amazon royalty and avoid ISBN conflicts. You own your ISBN to make this clean.
The bottom line
There's no universally "better" platform — only the right fit for your goals. KDP wins on Amazon earnings, speed, and simplicity. IngramSpark wins on bookstore reach, premium print, and publisher credibility. Most serious self-publishers eventually use both, strategically.
One thing both platforms have in common: they both need a clean, correctly formatted print file (PDF/X with embedded fonts and CMYK color) to accept your book without rejections. If formatting for both platforms feels daunting, that's exactly what we handle — our formatting service delivers files ready for KDP and IngramSpark, so you can go wide without the headaches.
Book Design Co is a boutique publishing studio. We format, design, and publish books for KDP and IngramSpark authors worldwide. See our services.