IngramSpark is a publishing platform that provides print on demand (POD) and ebookpublishing services to independent authors. Perhaps their biggest selling point over Amazon is their global distribution network, which sells books and ebooks to over 40,000 outlets across countries. Though they won’t necessarily appeal to everyone, IngramSpark should be on the radar of any self-publishing author.
Scroll on down, where we’ll dig into IngramSpark’s big features and check out their pricing plans.
Feature Overview
While IngramSpark also offers ebook-only publishing as a service, it’s really more of an afterthought. They’ve built their business on print on demand and print distribution, which is what we’ll focus on in this review
Quality print-on-demand books
Print on demand is a system where you only print copies of your book as and when they’re needed. These copies can be shipped directly to the author or customer, or delivered to one of IngramSpark’s partnered retailers. In theory, a customer should be able to walk into any of their carriers and request a copy of your book.
While it may vary from one printing location to another, IngramSpark is one of the most reliable POD services when it comes to the actual product. You can trust that they’ll turn out good quality, professional-looking books — assuming that your formatting and cover design have been executed to a professional standard.
With dozens of trim sizes and paper options to choose from in soft and hardcover formats, IngramSpark’s service works well for indie publishers of novels, nonfiction books, and memoirs.
Should you want to publish something a bit more specialized (like an art book or an intricate cookbook), you may wish to look for a more hands-on service like Blurb, who can help you ensure your final product looks just right.
Steep learning curves for non-techies
The interface for IngramSpark is somewhat less intuitive than those of BookBaby or KDP Print. While their platform will flag up major issues when you’re uploading your book file, it doesn’t hold your hand through the formatting process or make any suggestions for improvement. For this reason, you’ll want to make sure your formatting is immaculate before uploading.
To create a flawless, compatible book file that’s ready for distribution, try the Reedsy Book Editor. It’s a free book formatting app that does the hard work for you and minimizes the risk of costly revisions down the line (more on that later).
Even for tech-natives, IngramSpark's online platform is a little hard to use. While we quickly got to grips with its quirks, this may be an issue for authors who find self-publishing daunting enough as it is. But should you master Ingram's dashboard, a few big benefits are waiting for you.
Note: in addition to its lack of user-friendliness, IngramSpark's customer support is known to be very limited. We know of many authors who have tried (and failed) to contact their team to report issues with printed copies.
(Video) How I Made $11,000 Profit From IngramSpark in less than 6 Months | Online Self-Publishing
Access to the widest network of brick-and-mortar stores
The worldwide distribution network that indie authors can access via Ingram is unmatched by other POD services. Through Ingram Book Group (IBG), their titles are automatically made available to tens of thousands of retailers, including Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target, and other well-known, independent wholesalers and retailers inside and outside the US. Your books can even be made available to schools and libraries.
Fun fact: Most other POD services actually use the IBG’s impressive network to distribute their books. To cut out the middleman (and excessive fees), you can go directly to the source with IngramSpark themselves.
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Compared to KDP Print, IngramSpark offers a more appealing deal. While KDP will also sell paperbacks to booksellers and libraries via their ‘Expanded Distribution’ program, the low royalties and high distribution costs that Amazon charges for this “privilege” make this an unattractive proposition for indie authors.
Note: Distributors will only list your book for sale. It is still up to the publisher (i.e., you) to convince bookstores to stock your book — or to get your readers to go into bookstores and ask the friendly booksellers to order a copy for them.
A way to wean yourself off Amazon
There are a number of reasons an indie author might not want to rely on Amazon to publish their book. Firstly, KDP’s hefty ‘Expanded Distribution’ charges make it hard for an author to turn a profit selling print copies.
Then there’s the ethical side: for many authors, the idea of giving more money to the world’s largest corporation — one with a spotty worker’s rights history, whose continued growth is choking both the high street and small businesses — is hard to reconcile.
Lastly, it’s important to note that many bookshops don't order from Amazon — in particular, small independent bookstores (the kind most likely to stock small independent books). This is what author Mason Engel discovered when he went on a pan-American tour of indie bookstores and found that many booksellers weren't too impressed with his choice of distributor.
If any of these considerations make you think twice about focusing your marketing efforts on Amazon, then IngramSpark provides an alternative with an impressive breadth of distribution (the best of all of Amazon’s competitors).
Top tip: To get the best of both worlds, you can sign up to both IngramSpark and KDP Print — making sure to opt out of KDP’s Expanded Distribution programs. IngramSpark will be the one taking care of sales outside of Amazon, meanwhile you’ll still get all the perks that come with KDP.
IngramSpark Service Costs
There is a $49 setup fee per book, regardless of whether you’re setting up print and ebook or just print.
It’s also worth noting that you will be charged an additional $25 every time you make revisions to your book ($25 a time) — so make sure your book is properly edited, formatted, and proofed before you upload it to IngramSpark. This is, if anything, one of the biggest drawbacks when compared to KDP Print, which lets their authors release revised editions for free.
On top of the setup fee, you will also have to factor in the per-unit cost of printing and distributing your copies — which will be taken out of your royalties. These can vary depending on the print options you choose, as well as the number of units in your order. According to IngramSpark, price is dependent on:
- Trim size;
- Interior color and paper;
- Binding type (paperback or hardback);
- Laminate type (gloss, matte, or textured);
- Page count;
- Quantity; and
- Ship-to address.
You’ll also be setting your own wholesale discount for IngramSpark, and this level of flexibility can be a great bonus. While higher wholesale discounts will eat into your profit margin, they can serve as an incentive and attract retailers to buy and push your book. Around 55% is usually the sweet spot for wider retailers, while KDP Print set their own as 40% on-platform.
IngramSpark has a calculator which you can use to determine what you’d be paying them ahead of time (although, as they point out, this calculation doesn’t include sales tax). For example, a standard 280-page black-and-white paperback printed to industry standard with a 50% wholesale discount would cost you $4.80 in printing fees. This leaves the publisher (you) with compensation of $1.20 per book — assuming that retailers are buying enough copies to get the wholesale discount.
For a comparison of IngramSpark and its major competitors in terms of price, quality, and other features, head to our Print on Demand guide.
Verdict: Is IngramSpark right for you?
Whether IngramSpark is the right choice for you depends largely on your publishing goals. However, here’s a summary of reasons why you may wish to use this service.
- If you want to have your book in real brick-and-mortar stores, and you don’t mind spending some time learning the ropes of the interface.
- You want to avoid the Amazon machine (or you think most of your sales will come through other channels).
- You don’t mind taking a hybrid approach that involves using KDP Print for Amazon and IngramSpark for all other retailers.
To see your other options for creating hard copies, check out Reedsy's guide to Book Printing Services.
FAQs
How long does it take Ingram spark to approve a book? ›
The typical turnaround time for file review is 3-5 business days for new titles.
Is there an alternative to IngramSpark? ›Pros of BookBaby
In contrast to IngramSpark, BookBaby is known for how user-friendly it is.
The turnaround time for processing print ready digital files that are uploaded through the publisher's IngramSpark account, which meet Lightning Source's file requirements as designated in the File Creation Guide, until an eproof is available for review is 3 business days.
Which is better Lulu or IngramSpark? ›IngramSpark offers more trim size choices. Lulu's trim size, though it works well for authors using CreateSpace for their book, may not work as well for a children's author who may want a square 8.5”x8. 5” or landscape format for their books. There is also lower printing costs with IngramSpark for full-color books.
Does IngramSpark put your book on Amazon? ›IngramSpark distributes your book to Amazon, but if you wanted to publish through IngramSpark and Amazon directly, you cannot use either platforms' free ISBN to upload your book to the other. Owning your own ISBN allows you more distribution freedom than free ISBNs.
Do you want to promote your title IngramSpark? ›Right after you accept proof copy and enable distribution, IngramSpark will try to cross-sell you “marketing” services. They will ask you following question: “Do you want to promote your title?”. This is not required for a distribution through Ingram network and is a completely optional service.
Should I use KDP or IngramSpark? ›KDP is easy, flexible, and has lower-cost author copies. IngramSpark is not user-friendly and nickel-and-dimes you on fees, but it offers more hardback options, potentially higher royalties, and better (potentially cheaper) distribution into non-Amazon retailers. Many indie authors, however, use both POD platforms.
Who owns IngramSpark? ›IngramSpark is a service operated by Lightning Source to cater for the needs of independent publishers and authors. Since it launched in 2013, IngramSpark has registered more than 7 million books, with 4,000 new books added each day.
What is the difference between Ingram and IngramSpark? ›IngramSpark is a print-on-demand (POD) service from Ingram, a major book distributor and Kindle Direct Publishing is Amazon's print-on-demand service. Both players handle POD for ebooks and print books.
How long does it take for IngramSpark to pay? ›When do I get paid for my Ingram Trade Book sales? It will take up to four months for you to receive payment for books sold through Ingram.
How do I get paid from IngramSpark? ›
Publishers are paid 40% of their list price on e-book content sold to e-retailers. Publishers are paid by direct deposit within ninety (90) days following the end of the month in which the sale was made. Will there be separate documentation for IngramSpark?
Is IngramSpark legit? ›While it may vary from one printing location to another, IngramSpark is one of the most reliable POD services when it comes to the actual product. You can trust that they'll turn out good quality, professional-looking books — assuming that your formatting and cover design have been executed to a professional standard.
How much does Lulu charge to publish a book? ›| Lulu | KDP Print | |
|---|---|---|
| Offers hardcover? | Yes | No |
| Print cost per unit (with basic design) | $5.34 | $4.35 |
| Volume discount? | Yes | No |
| Shipping time | Average | Fast |
Regardless of genre, you can sell your book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers all through Lulu's self-publishing service. Just like IngramSpark, Lulu reaches more than 40,000 stores around the world.
Is it free to publish on Lulu? ›Yes, it is free to publish a book on the Lulu Press platform, just like it is free on Amazon's KDP. However, there are separate costs to consider when it comes to publishing your book, such as book production, printing, book marketing and distribution costs.
Can I use the same ISBN on Amazon and IngramSpark? ›Distribution: if you purchase your ISBN, you can publish it on other platforms. IngramSpark distributes your book to Amazon, but if you wanted to publish through IngramSpark and Amazon directly, you cannot use either platforms' free ISBN to upload your book to the other.
How much royalty does IngramSpark take? ›Royalty rate
IngramSpark: IngramSpark then has the higher royalty rate. On Ingram you can set your royalty to 65-70% depending on the market, so you get a higher nett profit per book.
Click the Upload button or drag and drop your interior and cover PDF files to the appropriate boxes. After they are both uploaded, click Continue.
How do I order author copies on IngramSpark? ›To order a proof copy via IngramSpark, you will need to upload the book file, paperback wrap for the cover, book details, and metadata. Similar to KDP, after the files are approved, you can order a proof. The proof was a few dollars more through IngramSpark and they charge a “handling” fee, as well as a shipping fee.
Does IngramSpark distribute to Barnes and Noble? ›Who Are My Distribution Partners? Ingram is a major book distributor in the United States, distributing to 40,000+ retailers (including Barnes & Noble and your local independent bookstore), libraries, schools, and universities.
What does revision incomplete mean on IngramSpark? ›
Revision Incomplete: You have uploaded revised files for your book but have not completely submitted them to us. This means you'll need to complete the file submission process.
Does Amazon use Ingram? ›Sometimes you do not have a choice about who prints your book. One more important thing to note is that Amazon and Ingram are partners when it comes to printing and distribution.
How expensive is IngramSpark? ›Ebook Only
*$49 for both print and ebook when uploaded at the same time.
You need an ISBN if you want your book to be available for sale in bookstores or with an online retailer or wholesaler. If you don't plan to offer your book for sale, IngramSpark offers a free SKU. This provides an identification number for your book within our systems but isn't for retailer use.
How much money does an author make per book? ›How Much Do Authors Make Per Book? On print books, a conventionally published author receives 5–20% royalties, 25% on ebooks, and 10–25% on audiobooks. However, these rates are subject to change after the global pandemic.
Where does IngramSpark ship from? ›There are four Ingram print facilities: one located in California, two in Tennessee, and another in Pennsylvania for fast, efficient shipping across the United States. The United States represents our most popular sales location in terms of retail, library, and consumer book sales.
How do I remove a title from IngramSpark? ›Only IS customer support can remove a book from distribution. The best bet for contacting them is to message them through their Facebook business page.
How do I use both KDP and IngramSpark? ›- Step 1: Choose your book size. ...
- Step 2: Buy an ISBN. ...
- Step 3: Design the interior of the book. ...
- Step 4: Decide on your paper type. ...
- Step 5: Create your covers. ...
- Step 6: Upload your book to KDP. ...
- Step 7: Upload your book to IngramSpark. ...
- Step 8: Celebrate your wide distribution.
We cannot delete your personal information except by also deleting your user account. We may not accommodate a request to change information if we believe the change would violate any law or legal requirement or cause the information to be incorrect. To make a request to delete your information, click here.
Does IngramSpark give you a barcode? ›The design of your book cover includes the placement of the barcode, which contains your ISBN. You'll also need the ISBN when you start setting up your title in your IngramSpark account—it's one of the first pieces of required metadata.
How long does it take IngramSpark to report sales? ›
Ingramspark's numbers update for ebook: after about 20-25 days.
How do I check my sales on IngramSpark? ›Sign in to your KDP account. At the top, near the KDP logo, click on “Reports.” This brings you to your “Sales Dashboard” tab.
Can you publish journals on IngramSpark? ›IngramSpark has its limitations. They do not want blank books, sketchbooks, or journals on their platform. They make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for activity books, puzzle books, and workbooks. You'll need to contact support to confirm if they will accept your low content book on their platform.
How much do authors make IngramSpark? ›Ingramspark Review: Money
Wholesale Discount: 55% (The bookstore buys the book at a 55% discount, which means they pay $7.62.) Print fee: $3.66 (This is the cost of printing the book.) You earn: $7.62-3.66 means you earn $3.97 per book sold. That is a profit of 23% of the list price.
It's free to create an IngramSpark account. This includes: Global book distribution for more sales opportunities. Online sales reporting.
Where is IngramSpark located? ›Where is IngramSpark located? The IngramSpark headquarters are in La Vergne, Tennessee, near the city of Nashville. It also has four Ingram print facilities in the U.S., as well as print facilities in other countries such as Brazil and Australia that serve main market segments.
How legit is Amazon KDP? ›Amazon KDP self publishing course review legit or scam? Amazon KDP which stands for Kindle Direct Publishing is a platform that allows authors Upload their books into their large marketplace for sale to their larger customer base. Amazon KDP self publishing is a Legit business business running since 2009.
How do I get my book on Ingram? ›- Step 1: Make your book. Use our layout tools or upload a PDF. ...
- Step 2: Create your listing. Choose a book from your dashboard, and click “Sell my book” through Ingram. ...
- Step 3: Set your price. For your chosen book, set your price under the Sell & Distribute tab for the listing. ...
- Step 4: Promote your book.
What is perfect binding? Perfect binding is a process, commonly used by printers and bookmakers, where groups of pages are bound together using adhesive to create a clean, crisp and professional printed product.
How does IngramSpark pay authors? ›How does publisher compensation work? We pay IngramSpark publishers 45% of their list price on print titles sold through the distribution channel minus manufacturing costs. Publishers are paid 40% of their list price on e-book content sold to e-retailers.
Is IngramSpark legit? ›
While it may vary from one printing location to another, IngramSpark is one of the most reliable POD services when it comes to the actual product. You can trust that they'll turn out good quality, professional-looking books — assuming that your formatting and cover design have been executed to a professional standard.
How do I get a proof from IngramSpark? ›To order a proof copy via IngramSpark, you will need to upload the book file, paperback wrap for the cover, book details, and metadata. Similar to KDP, after the files are approved, you can order a proof. The proof was a few dollars more through IngramSpark and they charge a “handling” fee, as well as a shipping fee.
Where does IngramSpark ship from? ›There are four Ingram print facilities: one located in California, two in Tennessee, and another in Pennsylvania for fast, efficient shipping across the United States. The United States represents our most popular sales location in terms of retail, library, and consumer book sales.
How long does it take for sales to show up on IngramSpark? ›IngramSpark generally begins printing 10 business days before the on-sale date, however, some exceptions may apply. IngramSpark may begin printing titles as soon as the title is enabled for distribution.
How much do you make on IngramSpark? ›Ingramspark Review: Money
Wholesale Discount: 55% (The bookstore buys the book at a 55% discount, which means they pay $7.62.) Print fee: $3.66 (This is the cost of printing the book.) You earn: $7.62-3.66 means you earn $3.97 per book sold. That is a profit of 23% of the list price.
Ingramspark's numbers update for ebook: after about 20-25 days.
Who owns IngramSpark? ›IngramSpark is a service operated by Lightning Source to cater for the needs of independent publishers and authors. Since it launched in 2013, IngramSpark has registered more than 7 million books, with 4,000 new books added each day.
What is the difference between Ingram and IngramSpark? ›IngramSpark is a print-on-demand (POD) service from Ingram, a major book distributor and Kindle Direct Publishing is Amazon's print-on-demand service. Both players handle POD for ebooks and print books.
Does IngramSpark provide ISBN? ›Does IngramSpark Offer Free ISBNs? Yes! IngramSpark recently began offering free ISBNs for U.S. self-publishers! You can access this in your IngramSpark account during the title setup process.
Can I order author copies on IngramSpark? ›Order An Author Copy From IngramSpark. Once your book has an Available for Printing/Download status, you can order an author copy. Click on the Orders tab and select the book you want to create a new order for.
What are proof copies of books? ›
A proof copy is just a single copy of your book so upload your book, place it in your cart, and set the quantity to one. Once you receive and review that printed copy you can make changes if necessary and order additional copies.
What does revision incomplete mean on IngramSpark? ›Revision Incomplete: You have uploaded revised files for your book but have not completely submitted them to us. This means you'll need to complete the file submission process.
Who is the biggest book distributor? ›Ingram Book Company is the largest book wholesale distributor in the world, offering immediate access to more than eleven million titles. Ingram is the preferred wholesale provider for more than 71,000 retail and library customers globally.
Does Barnes and Noble Own Ingram? ›During 1999 and 2000, Ingram Industries negotiated a sale to Barnes & Noble which was ultimately withdrawn after pressure from independent bookstores and the American Booksellers Association. In July 2006, Ingram Industries acquired VitalSource Technologies, Inc, which it later sold to Francisco Partners in April 2021.
Does IngramSpark distribute to libraries? ›Who Are My Distribution Partners? Ingram is a major book distributor in the United States, distributing to 40,000+ retailers (including Barnes & Noble and your local independent bookstore), libraries, schools, and universities.