Writing Craft Guide

IngramSpark Guide: Print-on-Demand and Global Distribution

KDP Print puts your book on Amazon. IngramSpark puts your book in bookstores, libraries, and international markets across 40,000+ retail outlets. If you want your print book to exist beyond Amazon, IngramSpark is how you get there. Here is the complete setup guide.

40,000+ retailers

IngramSpark distribution network

55% discount

Bookstore entry requirement

Own your ISBN

Required for IngramSpark setup

Everything you need to set up IngramSpark distribution

IngramSpark vs. KDP Print: what they actually do

KDP Print is Amazon-exclusive. Your book appears on Amazon's storefronts worldwide, but nowhere else. IngramSpark puts your book into Ingram's wholesale catalog, which supplies over 40,000 retailers and libraries globally. That includes Barnes and Noble, Waterstones, independent bookshops, library systems, and international distributors. If your goal is Amazon only, KDP Print is free and simple. If you want physical bookstore presence, global distribution, or library availability, IngramSpark is not optional.

Setup costs and fee waiver promotions

IngramSpark charges $49 to set up a print title and $25 for an ebook. These are one-time setup fees, not ongoing costs. IngramSpark runs frequent fee waiver promotions, especially for members of writing organizations like ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors). Check for a current promo code before paying full price. The setup fee covers unlimited revisions within 60 days of publication, so if you need to fix a typo or update the cover after launch, you have a window to do so without additional charges.

Trim sizes, paper types, and cover specifications

The most common fiction trim size is 5.5 x 8.5 inches (digest size). Standard novel trim is 6 x 9. Cream paper is standard for fiction; it is easier on the eyes for long reading sessions. White paper is sharper and typically used for non-fiction, children's books, or books with images. Your cover PDF must include bleeds (0.125 inches on all sides) and the spine width calculated from your page count. IngramSpark's cover template generator produces a correctly-sized template once you enter your page count and paper type.

Spine width and the spine width calculator

Spine width depends on your page count and paper type. IngramSpark provides a spine width calculator on their website. Enter your page count and paper type to get the exact spine width in inches. Your cover designer needs this measurement before building the cover. A spine that is too narrow for your text will look cramped; a spine built for a higher page count than your actual book will leave empty space. Never estimate spine width. Calculate it from the final page count of your formatted interior file.

ISBN requirements: own your identifier

IngramSpark requires a publisher-owned ISBN. Do not use Ingram's free ISBN option, which lists Ingram as your publisher of record. Do not transfer a KDP-assigned ISBN, because Amazon retains ownership of those. Buy your ISBNs from Bowker in the US or Nielsen in the UK. Each format needs a separate ISBN: your paperback, hardcover, and ebook each need their own. A 10-ISBN pack from Bowker costs $295, which is the most cost-effective option for authors publishing multiple titles or formats.

Wholesale discount and returns: the bookstore entry requirements

A 55% wholesale discount with returns accepted is the entry requirement for most physical bookstores. At 55% discount, your per-copy royalty will be modest, but you gain shelf access. Set your list price high enough that the math works: on a $16.99 paperback at 55% discount minus print cost, a typical indie author nets $1 to $3 per copy through bookstore channels. Contrast this with Amazon where you might earn $4 to $6 on the same title. The bookstore channel is for visibility and credibility, not margin.

Write your book with iWrity

iWrity helps you write and prepare books for global distribution. From first draft to bookstore shelf, we support every step of the publishing journey.

Start for free

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IngramSpark and KDP Print?

KDP Print distributes your paperback exclusively through Amazon's own storefronts. IngramSpark distributes to over 40,000 retailers, libraries, and wholesalers worldwide, including physical bookstores. KDP Print is free to set up. IngramSpark charges $49 for print setup and $25 for ebook, though they run frequent fee waiver promotions. Authors who want their books available in bookstores, libraries, or international markets need IngramSpark. Authors who only want Amazon distribution can use KDP Print alone.

Do I need my own ISBN for IngramSpark?

Yes. IngramSpark requires that you own your ISBN. You cannot use a free KDP-assigned ISBN on IngramSpark, and you should not use a free Ingram ISBN because it lists Ingram as the publisher of record rather than your imprint. In the US, purchase ISBNs from Bowker (myidentifiers.com). In the UK, purchase from Nielsen. A single ISBN costs $125 from Bowker; a pack of 10 costs $295. Buy the pack if you plan to publish multiple books or multiple formats. Each format (hardcover, paperback, ebook) requires a separate ISBN.

What wholesale discount should I set on IngramSpark?

Set a 55% wholesale discount if you want your book stocked by physical bookstores. Bookstores typically order at 45% to 55% discount and return unsold copies. A 40% discount makes you visible in Ingram's catalog but most brick-and-mortar stores will not order a book at that rate. If you set 55% and enable returns, your royalty per copy will be low, but physical bookstore presence is the goal. If physical bookstore distribution is not a priority, 40% with no returns is more financially conservative.

Should I enable returns on IngramSpark?

Enabling returns makes your book eligible for bookstore ordering, but it also means books can be returned after sale, and Ingram passes the cost back to you. If a bookstore orders 10 copies and returns 8, you absorb the print cost of those 8 returned copies. Most indie authors enable returns as 'Returns Accepted, Remainder Destroyable' to get bookstore visibility while limiting exposure. Returns are rare in practice for most indie titles, but the financial risk is real for authors who receive large wholesale orders.

Can I use both IngramSpark and KDP Print for the same book?

Yes, and many authors do. Use KDP Print for the Amazon listing and IngramSpark for global and bookstore distribution. To avoid Amazon sourcing your book through Ingram at a higher price (which can cause pricing issues on your Amazon listing), disable Amazon distribution in your IngramSpark settings and let KDP Print handle Amazon. This gives you the best of both: Amazon optimization through KDP and wide physical distribution through IngramSpark.