Compare Print Costs & Royalties Across Every Major Provider
📖 New to POD? See our print on demand glossary for the basics.
Choosing a print-on-demand provider shouldn't require a spreadsheet. We built this calculator so you can see, in real time, exactly what each provider charges to print your book — and more importantly, what you actually keep per sale.
All pricing formulas are sourced directly from each provider's public pricing pages and updated monthly. The last update was August 2026. If a provider changes their pricing, we'll reflect it here within 30 days.
Adjust the inputs below — page count, format, ink type, and your list price — and watch the numbers update instantly.
Pricing data sourced from each provider's public pricing pages and updated monthly. Last verified: February 2026. Every card shows the exact formula used and links to the provider's own pricing page so you can check it.
Trim size currently affects availability only — per-page costs use each provider's standard 6×9 formula.
How Print on Demand Pricing Works
Every print-on-demand provider uses the same basic formula: a fixed base cost plus a per-page charge. The base cost covers materials (cover stock, binding, etc.) and the per-page cost covers interior printing. This means a 100-page book costs less to print than a 400-page book — regardless of which provider you use.
For example, a 250-page black & white paperback on Books.by costs $1.26 + ($0.016 × 250) = $5.26. The same book on Amazon KDP costs $1.00 + ($0.012 × 250) = $4.00. That $1.26 difference in printing cost is real — but it's only half the story.
Why Printing Costs Vary Between Providers
Printing cost differences come down to business model and scale. Amazon KDP Print can offer lower per-unit costs because they operate their own massive print network and subsidise printing costs through marketplace commissions. Barnes & Noble Press operates similarly.
Books.by uses Lulu's print network — widely considered the gold standard for print-on-demand quality. IngramSpark uses the Ingram print network, which supplies bookstores and libraries worldwide. BookBaby uses a traditional print model with higher per-unit costs but also offers bulk printing discounts.
The key insight: a lower printing cost doesn't mean more money in your pocket. What matters is the total equation: list price minus printing cost minus platform commission.
The Hidden Costs Most Authors Miss
- IngramSpark: While title setup is now free, revision fees ($25 per file change) can add up quickly during your first publication. Content distribution changes and metadata corrections each incur fees.
- BookBaby: Requires upfront package purchases ranging from $399 to $1,999 before you sell a single copy. These packages cover setup, distribution, and marketing — but you're paying regardless of sales.
- Amazon KDP: No upfront fees, but it pays a 60% royalty on Amazon.com sales and 40% on expanded distribution — so it keeps 40–60% of your list price. On a $15.99 book that is $6.40–$9.59 per sale that never reaches you.
- Lulu: No setup fees, but takes approximately 20% commission on sales through their marketplace and distribution channels.
- Books.by: $99/year platform fee with no per-title costs and 0% commission. The only per-sale deductions are the printing cost and card processing (2.9% + $0.30) — both shown itemised on every order.
Why Royalties Matter More Than Printing Cost
Authors often focus on which provider has the cheapest printing — but that's the wrong metric. What matters is how much you earn per sale. A provider with slightly higher printing costs but no commission will almost always net you more money.
Consider a 250-page B&W paperback priced at $15.99:
- Books.by: $15.99 − $5.26 print − $0.76 card processing = $9.97 royalty (0% commission)
- Amazon KDP (Amazon.com): $15.99 × 60% − $4.00 print = $5.59 royalty
- Amazon KDP (expanded): $15.99 × 40% − $4.00 print = $2.40 royalty
- IngramSpark: $15.99 × 45% − $4.98 print = $2.22 royalty
Books.by's printing cost is $1.26 higher and it is the only option here where the author pays card processing directly — yet the royalty is still $4.38 more per sale than KDP on Amazon.com and $7.75 more than IngramSpark. The maths is clear: commission structure matters far more than printing cost.
$1.26 more in print cost. $5.14 more in your account. Per book.
Print Quality Is More Similar Than You'd Think
A common concern is whether cheaper printing means lower quality. In practice, Books.by and Lulu share the same print network — Lulu's global printing infrastructure — which is the gold standard for print-on-demand quality. Same printers, same paper stock, same binding equipment. The output is identical.
IngramSpark uses the Ingram print network and Amazon KDP Print uses their own extensive network — both produce good-quality books, though with slightly more variation in paper weight and cover finish. BookBaby has received mixed reviews in author communities, with some authors reporting inconsistencies in colour reproduction and binding quality.
Bottom line: Books.by and Lulu deliver the highest print quality (identical output from the same network). IngramSpark is a close second. Your readers will be impressed regardless of which major provider you choose.
This calculator is routinely updated based on the latest publicly available print cost calculations from each provider. If you notice a discrepancy, let us know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Print-on-demand costs typically range from $2.50 to $10+ per book depending on the provider, page count, format, and ink type. For a standard 250-page black & white paperback, costs range from $4.00 (Amazon KDP) to $7.00 (BookBaby, excluding setup fees). Use the calculator above for exact pricing based on your book's specifications.
Amazon KDP Print generally has the lowest per-unit printing costs, starting at $1.00 base + $0.012 per page for B&W paperbacks. However, lowest printing cost doesn't mean highest royalties — platform commissions significantly impact your actual earnings per sale.
Books.by pays the highest royalty here because it charges 0% commission — you keep the list price less printing and card processing. On a $15.99, 250-page B&W paperback that is $9.97 per sale, compared to $5.59 on Amazon KDP (Amazon.com), $2.40 on KDP expanded distribution, or $2.22 on IngramSpark.
There are meaningful differences. Books.by and Lulu share the same print network (Lulu's global printing infrastructure), which is the gold standard for print-on-demand quality — identical output from both platforms. IngramSpark uses the Ingram print network and Amazon KDP Print uses their own network — both produce good results but with slightly less consistency. BookBaby has received mixed reviews in author communities regarding colour reproduction and binding.
Yes. IngramSpark charges revision fees ($25 per file change). BookBaby requires upfront package purchases ($399–$1,999). Amazon KDP takes 30–40% commission on sales. Books.by charges a flat $99/year with no per-title fees and 0% commission; the only per-sale deductions are printing and card processing, itemised on every order.
Your royalty = (list price × your share) − printing cost. Amazon KDP pays 60% of list on Amazon.com sales and 40% on expanded distribution. IngramSpark leaves you 45% after the standard 55% wholesale discount. Lulu takes roughly 20%. Books.by takes 0%, so you keep the list price less printing and card processing (2.9% + $0.30) — a cost the marketplaces absorb inside their commission. The commission structure is usually the largest factor in your per-sale earnings.
Focus on royalties. A provider with slightly higher printing costs but 0% commission will almost always net you more per sale. Books.by printing may cost $1–2 more, but on the $15.99 example above you earn $4.38 more than KDP on Amazon.com and $7.75 more than IngramSpark.
Yes, and most successful authors do. A common strategy: Books.by for direct sales (highest royalties, daily payouts), Amazon KDP for marketplace visibility, and IngramSpark for bookstore/library distribution. Each platform serves a different channel and audience.
Related Guides
Keep 100% of your royalties.
Books.by gives you the highest earnings per sale — with professional print quality, free ISBNs, and daily payouts. Let the numbers speak for themselves.
Start Your Books.by Store — $99/yr →100-day money-back guarantee · Cancel anytime
