Amazon KDP and IngramSpark: Choosing the Best Print Distribution Strategy

For independent authors, publishing a print book involves more than uploading a manuscript and cover. The platform you choose can affect where your book is sold, how it is printed, how much you earn per sale, and whether bookshops or libraries can order it easily.

Amazon KDP Print and IngramSpark are two of the most widely used print-on-demand options. Rather than viewing them as direct rivals, many authors use each platform for a different purpose. Understanding the differences can help you create a distribution strategy that suits your book and your readers.

What Amazon KDP Print Does Best

Amazon KDP Print is designed to make books available through Amazon’s online stores. It is free to upload a paperback or selected hardcover formats, and books are printed when a customer places an order.

For many self-published authors, Amazon is a key sales channel. Publishing directly through KDP can provide clear control over a book listing, pricing, and updates. It is also convenient for authors whose audience primarily buys books online.

Benefits of KDP Print

KDP Print is generally a practical choice for authors who want to:

• Sell print books directly on Amazon
• Order low-cost author copies for events or personal sales
• Update files without maintaining an inventory
• Manage Amazon pricing and metadata in one place
• Earn stronger margins on Amazon-based print sales

However, KDP’s wider distribution option may not be the best route for authors who want to make their books available to bookshops and libraries.

What IngramSpark Does Best

IngramSpark gives authors access to Ingram’s distribution network, which is used by many bookshops, libraries, wholesalers, and academic institutions. It helps make a title available for order beyond Amazon.

Availability does not guarantee that a bookshop will stock a title. Book buyers still consider local demand, genre, price, discount, returns policy, and the author’s marketing efforts. However, being listed through an established trade distribution network gives booksellers and libraries a practical way to order the book when a reader requests it.

IngramSpark can also offer print format options that may appeal to authors producing premium hardbacks or books with more specialised requirements.

Using Both Platforms Together

The conversation around Amazon KDP vs Ingramspark does not have to end with choosing only one platform. Many authors publish their print edition through KDP for Amazon sales and use IngramSpark for wider bookshop and library distribution.

This approach can provide the benefits of both systems, but it requires careful setup.

Use Your Own ISBN

If you plan to use both platforms for the same print edition, it is usually important to buy and own your ISBN. A free ISBN supplied by a platform may be restricted to that platform and may list the platform as the publisher.

Using your own ISBN can make it easier to maintain control of your publishing identity and use the same paperback edition across different services. Each format should have its own ISBN, so a paperback, hardcover, and e-book should not share one number.

Avoid Duplicate Distribution Settings

One common problem occurs when authors enable KDP’s Expanded Distribution while also using IngramSpark for the same paperback. This can cause distribution conflicts or duplicate listings.

Authors using both platforms commonly leave Expanded Distribution disabled in KDP and allow IngramSpark to handle broader trade availability. Before publishing, review the current settings and platform guidance carefully, as policies can change.

Prepare Separate Cover Files

Although the interior file may work on both platforms, cover templates can differ because paper thickness and spine calculations are not always identical. Download the correct template from each platform and ensure your cover designer prepares a version for both.

Trade Discounts and Returns

IngramSpark allows authors to choose trade discounts and, in some markets, a returns policy. These settings can make a book more appealing to bookshops, but they can also reduce profit per copy and create financial risk.

A higher trade discount may be useful if you are actively approaching bookshops and want them to consider stocking your book. Allowing returns can also make a title more attractive to retailers, but authors may be responsible for the cost of unsold copies returned through the distribution system.

It is important to make these decisions based on your budget and publishing goals rather than assuming every book needs the most generous settings.

Plan Before Your Launch

Print-on-demand removes the need to order large quantities of stock, but publishing still takes preparation. Upload files early, order proof copies, and allow time for reviews, printing, and distribution data to appear across retail systems.

Before approving your book, check:

• Title, subtitle, author name, and description
• ISBN details for each format
• Interior layout, margins, and page numbering
• Cover alignment and spine text
• Retail price and estimated earnings
• Distribution and returns settings

A carefully checked proof can prevent avoidable problems after publication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I publish the same book on KDP and IngramSpark?

Yes, many authors use both for the same print edition. It is important to use the correct ISBN and avoid overlapping distribution settings.

Is KDP better than IngramSpark?

Neither is automatically better. KDP is often stronger for Amazon sales, while IngramSpark can support wider availability to bookshops and libraries.

Will IngramSpark get my book into bookshops?

It can make your book available for bookshops to order, but it does not guarantee that they will stock it. Author marketing and local demand still matter.

Do I need to buy my own ISBN?

Buying your own ISBN can give you more flexibility and control, particularly if you plan to use more than one publishing platform.

Conclusion

KDP Print and IngramSpark can each play a useful role in an independent author’s publishing plan. KDP supports direct access to Amazon customers, while IngramSpark can help make books available to the wider trade. By understanding ISBN rules, distribution settings, discounts, and returns, authors can use both platforms thoughtfully and give their print books the best possible chance to reach readers.