(…but it depends on your goals)
Print-on-demand has transformed self-publishing. No more ordering 1,000 copies and storing boxes in your garage. No more gambling $5,000 on inventory you might never sell. Today, your book is printed only when a reader orders it — one copy at a time, shipped directly to them.
But not all POD services are created equal. They differ dramatically in printing costs, royalty structures, distribution reach, print quality, and the options available to you. Choosing the wrong platform can cost you thousands in lost royalties over the life of your book.
This guide is the comparison we wished existed when we started. Based on 12,000+ books published through Books.by and years of working with every major POD platform, we've done the math on real printing costs at different page counts, mapped out every feature, and laid out honest recommendations. Yes, we include Books.by. We'll be transparent about our biases.
From our team: "We've printed books on every platform in this guide. The print quality differences are smaller than most comparison articles suggest. The real differentiator is what happens to your money and your customer data after the sale." — Books.by Publishing Team
Quick Overview: All 6 Platforms at a Glance
Before we dive deep into each platform, here's the 30-second summary. Every platform below offers print-on-demand (no minimum orders) with global shipping. The differences are in cost, distribution, and how much money ends up in your pocket.
| Platform | Setup Cost | Royalty Rate | Best For | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon KDP Print | Free | 60% (list − print cost) | Amazon marketplace sales | 60 days |
| IngramSpark | $49/title | ~40–55% after discounts | Bookstores & libraries | 90 days |
| Lulu | Free | ~50–80% (channel varies) | Direct sales via Lulu shop | Monthly |
| BookBaby | $99–$399/title | 100% after print cost | Hands-off publishing | Quarterly |
| Draft2Digital | Free | 90% (10% commission) | Wide ebook + print | Monthly |
| Books.by | $99/year | 100% above print cost | Direct-to-reader sales | Daily |
📊 POD Cost Comparison Calculator
Enter your book's details below to see estimated printing costs and your per-book earnings across all 6 platforms — side by side. This uses real 2026 pricing data.
Print-on-Demand Cost Calculator
See what each platform charges to print your book — and what you actually keep.
* Estimates based on published 2026 pricing. Actual costs may vary by trim size, region, and promotions. Earnings assume retail channel unless noted.
Feature Comparison Matrix
Every feature that matters, compared head-to-head. Green checkmarks (✓) mean full support; red crosses (✗) mean not available.
| Feature | KDP Print | IngramSpark | Lulu | BookBaby | D2D Print | Books.by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup FeePer title | Free | $49 | Free | $99–$399 | Free | $99/yr (all titles) |
| PaperbackStandard format | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HardcoverCase laminate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | 🔜 Early 2026 |
| Dust Jacket | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Colour Interior | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trim Sizes | 15+ | 30+ | 20+ | 10+ | 8 | 12+ |
| Paper OptionsCream, white, glossy | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Amazon Distribution | ✓ Direct | ✓ Via Ingram | ✗ | ✓ Via Ingram | ✓ Via Ingram | ✗ |
| Bookstore Distribution40,000+ retailers | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ Via Ingram | ✓ Via Ingram | ✗ |
| Library Distribution | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Own StorefrontYour brand, your URL | ✗ | ✗ | Limited | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 100% RoyaltiesOn direct sales | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Customer DataEmail, purchase history | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Daily Payouts | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free ISBN | ✓ (Amazon-only) | ✗ | ✓ (Lulu-only) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Global Printing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | US only | ✓ | ✓ |
| Minimum Orders | None | None | None | None | None | None |
1. Amazon KDP Print
Amazon KDP Print is the default choice for most self-published authors, and for good reason. Amazon controls roughly 70–80% of the online book market in the US. If readers are searching for books, they're probably searching on Amazon. KDP Print gives you direct access to that audience with zero upfront cost.
The printing infrastructure is impressive. Amazon prints books in facilities across the US, UK, Europe, Japan, and Australia, meaning fast shipping for most global customers. Print quality is solid — consistent, professional, and indistinguishable from traditionally published paperbacks.
Printing Cost Examples (B&W Paperback, 6×9)
Royalty structure: 60% of (list price − printing cost) for Amazon.com sales. So a $16.99 paperback costing $3.25 to print earns you $8.24 per sale. That sounds decent — until you realize Amazon keeps 40% of the margin for doing nothing more than listing your book.
Distribution & Availability
KDP Print books are available exclusively on Amazon marketplaces (US, UK, DE, FR, ES, IT, JP, CA, AU). They're not available in bookstores, libraries, or non-Amazon retailers. You can enable "Expanded Distribution" for an additional channel, but the royalty drops significantly and the reach is limited compared to IngramSpark.
Key Specs
- Trim sizes: 15+ options from 5×8" to 8.5×11"
- Paper: White, cream, or colour (50lb or 70lb)
- Formats: Paperback and hardcover (case laminate)
- Max pages: 828 (B&W), 500 (colour)
- Shipping: Prime eligible, 2–3 day US shipping typical
- Setup fees: None
- Payout: 60 days after month of sale
Strengths
- Largest book marketplace globally
- Lowest per-unit printing costs
- Prime shipping for customers
- No upfront fees whatsoever
- Excellent print quality
Weaknesses
- 40% royalty cut on every sale
- No bookstore distribution
- 60-day payment delay
- No customer data or email access
- You don't control the shopping experience
2. IngramSpark
IngramSpark is the self-publishing arm of Ingram Content Group — the world's largest book distributor. While Amazon dominates online sales, Ingram dominates everything else: independent bookstores, Barnes & Noble, airport shops, academic libraries, and international retailers. If you want your book on physical bookstore shelves, IngramSpark is the path.
The printing quality is excellent and highly consistent. IngramSpark offers the widest range of trim sizes (30+), paper types, and binding options of any POD provider. They also offer dust jacket hardcovers, which Amazon does not.
Printing Cost Examples (B&W Paperback, 6×9)
Royalty structure: You set a wholesale discount (typically 55% for bookstores to stock your book, or 30–40% for online-only). After printing cost and discount, your margin varies significantly. For a $16.99 book at 55% discount, you might earn only $3.07 per sale. At 30% discount (online only): $7.31. IngramSpark's pricing page is deliberately confusing. We designed Books.by to be the opposite: one formula, no hidden variables.
Distribution & Availability
This is IngramSpark's superpower. Your book becomes available to 40,000+ retailers, libraries, and online stores worldwide — including Amazon (via Ingram), Barnes & Noble, indie bookstores, university libraries, and international markets in 80+ countries.
Key Specs
- Trim sizes: 30+ options, including non-standard academic sizes
- Paper: White 50lb, white 70lb, cream, colour standard, colour premium
- Formats: Paperback, hardcover (case laminate and dust jacket)
- Max pages: 1,200 (B&W), 500 (colour)
- Shipping: Global printing in US, UK, AU, and more
- Setup fees: $49 per title (free if using a publisher account)
- Payout: 90 days after month of sale
Strengths
- 40,000+ global retailers & libraries
- Best trim size and paper selection
- Dust jacket hardcovers
- Industry-standard distribution
- Highest print quality reputation
Weaknesses
- $49 setup fee per title
- Higher printing costs than KDP
- Complex wholesale discount system
- 90-day payout delay
- Steep learning curve for new authors
3. Lulu
Lulu was one of the first self-publishing platforms, launching in 2002. It's evolved significantly but occupies an interesting niche: it's great for direct sales through the Lulu bookstore, author copies at cost, and specialty formats like photo books, comics, and calendars. For standard book distribution, however, it's fallen behind KDP and IngramSpark.
Lulu's direct storefront allows you to sell books at higher margins than Amazon or bookstore channels. The Lulu bookstore acts as a marketplace for independent books, and authors keep roughly 80% of the sale price minus printing cost. However, the Lulu marketplace has far less traffic than Amazon.
Printing Cost Examples (B&W Paperback, 6×9)
Royalty structure: On the Lulu bookstore, you keep ~80% of (list price − printing cost). Through Lulu's Global Distribution (Amazon, B&N), the margin drops as retailer discounts apply. The Lulu Direct program charges a flat 20% commission on your sales through their shop.
Key Specs
- Trim sizes: 20+ options including square and landscape
- Paper: Standard white, premium white, cream, colour premium
- Formats: Paperback, hardcover (case wrap and dust jacket), coil-bound, saddle-stitch
- Max pages: 800+ (varies by format)
- Shipping: Global from US and UK facilities
- Setup fees: None
- Payout: Monthly via PayPal or Payoneer
Strengths
- Specialty formats (photo books, comics, calendars)
- No setup fees
- Author copies at printing cost
- Lulu bookstore for direct sales
- Easy-to-use interface
Weaknesses
- Higher printing costs than KDP
- Limited marketplace traffic
- No direct Amazon listing (goes through Ingram)
- Slower shipping than Amazon Prime
- Hardcover costs are very high
4. BookBaby
BookBaby positions itself as the "do it all for you" publishing service. They offer book printing, distribution through Ingram, and a suite of paid services (editing, cover design, marketing). The appeal is simplicity: pay upfront, and BookBaby handles distribution, metadata, and retailer relationships.
That convenience comes at a steep cost. BookBaby charges significant upfront fees ($99–$399 per title depending on the plan), and their per-unit printing costs are the highest among the six platforms we're comparing. BookBaby's $399–$1,999 upfront packages are a relic of vanity publishing. You shouldn't pay thousands before selling a single copy.
Printing Cost Examples (B&W Paperback, 6×9)
Royalty structure: BookBaby claims 100% royalties, but this is after retailer discounts. Through bookstores (55% discount), a $16.99 book costing $6.48 to print earns about $1.17. Through online channels at 40% discount, you'd earn about $3.71.
Key Specs
- Trim sizes: 10+ standard options
- Paper: Standard white, cream, colour
- Formats: Paperback and hardcover
- Shipping: US-based printing only
- Setup fees: $99 (basic) to $399 (premium distribution)
- Payout: Quarterly (yes, every 3 months)
Strengths
- Truly hands-off publishing
- Bundled services (editing, design, marketing)
- Distribution via Ingram network
- Phone support available
- Good for non-tech-savvy authors
Weaknesses
- Highest per-unit printing costs
- Significant upfront fees per title
- US printing only — slow international shipping
- Quarterly payouts
- Most services can be sourced cheaper independently
5. Draft2Digital (D2D Print)
Draft2Digital is beloved in the indie author community for its dead-simple ebook distribution. Their print service (D2D Print, powered by an Ingram partnership) is newer and more limited, but it's maturing quickly. The big draw: one upload, and your book goes everywhere — Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, libraries, and more.
D2D takes a flat 10% commission on sales (no upfront fees). This is transparent and easy to understand compared to IngramSpark's complex wholesale discount structure. The trade-off is slightly higher printing costs and fewer format options than IngramSpark directly.
Printing Cost Examples (B&W Paperback, 6×9)
Royalty structure: D2D takes a 10% commission on your net earnings. For a $16.99 paperback through retail: list price minus retailer discount minus printing cost, then D2D takes 10% of what's left. Typical earnings: about $5.10 per sale on Amazon, less through bookstores.
Key Specs
- Trim sizes: 8 standard options (expanding)
- Paper: White and cream
- Formats: Paperback only (no hardcover yet)
- Max pages: 740
- Shipping: Global via Ingram's network
- Setup fees: None
- Payout: Monthly
Strengths
- Widest ebook + print distribution from one dashboard
- No upfront fees — 10% commission only
- Incredibly easy to use
- Great formatting tools (free)
- Universal Book Links
Weaknesses
- No hardcover support
- Limited trim size options
- Newer print service — still maturing
- 10% cut of already-discounted earnings
- Less control than IngramSpark direct
6. Books.by
Disclosure: This is us. We'll be upfront — we built Books.by, so obviously we believe in it. We'll try to be as objective as possible and clearly note where other platforms are genuinely better choices. We encourage you to compare our claims against everything else in this guide.
Books.by is fundamentally different from the other five platforms. It's not a marketplace or a distributor — it's your own branded online bookstore. You get a custom storefront (yourname.books.by or your own domain), and when readers buy your book, you keep 100% of the margin above printing cost. No retailer cut. No commission. No percentage taken.
The trade-off is clear: Books.by doesn't have a built-in audience. Amazon has millions of book buyers; Books.by has zero until you send them there. That's why we position Books.by as a complement to Amazon and IngramSpark — not a replacement. Use Amazon for discovery, IngramSpark for bookstores, and Books.by for every direct sale: your email list, social media, website links, podcast mentions, speaking events.
Printing Cost Examples (B&W Paperback, 6×9)
Printing cost formula: B&W = $1.26 + ($0.016 × page count). Colour = $1.379 + ($0.036 × page count). Hardcover pricing coming in 2026. These are your actual costs — everything above this that your reader pays goes directly to you.
Royalty example: A $16.99 paperback costing $4.46 to print earns you $12.53 per sale. Compare that to $8.24 on Amazon KDP. That's $4.29 more per book — and over 100 sales, that's $429 extra in your pocket.
Key Specs
- Trim sizes: 12+ options (all popular sizes)
- Paper: White, cream, and colour interior
- Formats: Paperback (hardcover coming in 2026)
- Shipping: Global printing and shipping
- Setup fees: $99/year (unlimited titles, includes free ISBNs)
- Payout: Daily — money in your account within 24 hours
- Extras: Custom storefront, customer data, email integration, analytics
Strengths
- 100% royalties on every direct sale
- Daily payouts (not 60–90 days)
- Own your customer data and email list
- Branded storefront with custom domain
- Free ISBNs included
- Competitive printing costs
Weaknesses
- No marketplace traffic — you bring the audience
- No bookstore or library distribution
- Not available on Amazon
- $99/year subscription required
- Fewer trim sizes than IngramSpark
Keep 100% of your book's margin on every direct sale
Books.by gives you a storefront, POD printing, free ISBNs, daily payouts, and customer data — $99/year for unlimited titles.
Start Your Books.by Store — $99/yr →Detailed Cost Comparison Tables
Here's where the rubber meets the road. Below are real printing costs at three common page counts for both B&W paperback and B&W hardcover, across all six platforms.
B&W Paperback Printing Costs (6×9")
| Platform | 100 Pages | 200 Pages | 300 Pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon KDP Print | $2.20 | $3.40 | $4.60 |
| IngramSpark | $2.79 | $4.25 | $5.71 |
| Lulu | $3.74 | $5.84 | $7.94 |
| BookBaby | $4.20 | $6.48 | $8.76 |
| Draft2Digital | $3.78 | $5.66 | $7.54 |
| Books.by | $2.86 | $4.46 | $6.06 |
B&W Hardcover Printing Costs (6×9")
| Platform | 100 Pages | 200 Pages | 300 Pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon KDP Print | $8.00 | $9.20 | $10.40 |
| IngramSpark | $7.96 | $9.42 | $10.88 |
| Lulu | $11.84 | $13.94 | $16.04 |
| BookBaby | $10.97 | $13.25 | $15.53 |
| Draft2Digital | Hardcover not available | ||
| Books.by | $6.86 | $8.46 | $10.06 |
Colour Paperback Printing Costs (6×9")
| Platform | 100 Pages | 200 Pages | 300 Pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon KDP Print | $4.20 | $6.70 | $9.20 |
| IngramSpark | $5.09 | $8.83 | $12.57 |
| Lulu | $5.64 | $9.64 | $13.64 |
| BookBaby | $7.65 | $11.90 | $16.15 |
| Draft2Digital | $6.25 | $9.66 | $13.07 |
| Books.by | $4.98 | $8.58 | $12.18 |
Author Earnings Per Sale — The Number That Actually Matters
Printing cost is an input. What you keep is the output. Here's what you actually earn on a $16.99 list price, 200-page B&W paperback across each platform:
| Platform | Printing Cost | Platform Cut | Your Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon KDP Print | $3.40 | 40% of list price ($6.80) | $6.79 |
| IngramSpark (55% disc.) | $4.25 | 55% wholesale discount | $3.40 |
| IngramSpark (30% disc.) | $4.25 | 30% wholesale discount | $7.64 |
| Lulu (Lulu shop) | $5.84 | 20% commission | $8.92 |
| BookBaby (online) | $6.48 | 40% retail discount | $3.71 |
| Draft2Digital | $5.66 | 10% + retail discount | $5.10 |
| Books.by | $4.46 | $0 (100% yours) | $12.53 |
Which Platform Is Right for You?
There's no single "best" platform. The right choice depends on your situation, goals, and where your readers are. Here are four common author profiles and our honest recommendations for each:
How Many Sales to Break Even on Books.by vs. Amazon KDP?
Books.by costs $99/year. Amazon KDP is free. But Books.by earns you more per book. Here's the math for a $16.99, 200-page B&W paperback:
- Books.by earning per sale: $12.53
- Amazon KDP earning per sale: $8.24
- Extra per Books.by sale: $4.29
- Sales needed to cover $99/year: 24 books
If you sell more than 24 books per year through your direct channels (email list, social media, website, events), Books.by pays for itself — and every sale after that puts $4.29 more in your pocket compared to Amazon. At 100 direct sales, that's an extra $429/year. At 500, it's $2,145.
Ready to keep 100% of your book sales?
Books.by pays for itself in just 24 sales. After that, every direct sale earns you $4+ more than Amazon. Your storefront, your customers, your royalties.
Start Your Books.by Store — $99/yr →100-day money-back guarantee · Cancel anytime
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your goals. Amazon KDP Print is best for marketplace discovery and has the lowest printing costs. IngramSpark is best for bookstore and library distribution. Books.by is best for direct-to-reader sales with 100% royalties. Most successful indie authors use 2–3 platforms strategically.
For a typical 200-page B&W paperback: KDP Print ~$3.40, IngramSpark ~$4.25, Lulu ~$5.84, BookBaby ~$6.48, Draft2Digital ~$5.66, and Books.by ~$4.46. Costs vary by page count, format, and ink type. Use our calculator above for your specific book.
Amazon KDP Print generally has the lowest per-unit printing costs. However, lowest printing cost doesn't mean highest royalties — KDP takes 40% of your margin. Books.by authors keep 100% above printing cost on direct sales, often resulting in higher per-book earnings despite slightly higher print costs.
Yes, and most successful authors do. A common strategy: Books.by for direct sales, Amazon KDP for marketplace visibility, and IngramSpark for bookstore distribution. Each platform serves a different sales channel. Use different ISBNs for each platform to track sales by channel.
KDP Print is Amazon's POD service — books are sold on Amazon with 60% royalties. IngramSpark distributes to 40,000+ retailers, bookstores, and libraries worldwide but charges $49/title and takes a larger cut. KDP is better for Amazon sales; IngramSpark is better for wide physical distribution.
Yes. Books.by offers POD with no minimum orders, global shipping, and 100% royalties on direct sales. B&W printing: $1.26 + $0.016/page. Colour: $1.379 + $0.036/page. You keep everything above the printing cost. $99/year includes unlimited titles, free ISBNs, and your own storefront.
Amazon KDP Print, Draft2Digital, and Lulu all have zero upfront fees. Books.by charges $99/year (flat, all titles). IngramSpark charges $49 per title. BookBaby charges $99–$399 per title. The "free" platforms make their money by taking a percentage of your sales instead.
For hardcovers: Amazon KDP has the cheapest printing costs. IngramSpark offers the most options including dust jackets. Books.by offers competitive hardcover pricing with 100% royalties. Lulu and BookBaby support hardcovers but at higher prices. Draft2Digital doesn't offer hardcovers yet.
