Consider KDP for Amazon, IngramSpark for wholesale print availability, and Lulu Direct for selling printed books through your own shop. Use more than one only when each serves a clear purpose.
Your manuscript is finished, and now three publishing platforms are asking you to make different choices about files, pricing and distribution. You do not have to upload your book everywhere. Start with how you expect readers to buy it.
Match the platform to your goal
| Your main goal | Start by considering |
|---|---|
| Sell a paperback and Kindle edition on Amazon | KDP |
| Make a print book available for bookstores and libraries to order | IngramSpark |
| Sell print books through your own Shopify, Wix or WooCommerce shop | Lulu Direct |
| Serve Amazon customers and the wider wholesale network | KDP + IngramSpark, set up carefully |
Availability through a wholesale network does not mean a bookstore will stock your book. IngramSpark sends book information to retailers and libraries so they can order it; the buying decision remains theirs. See IngramSpark’s distribution FAQ.
What each platform offers
KDP: a straightforward route to Amazon
KDP lets you publish Kindle ebooks, paperbacks and hardcovers without an upload fee. Print books are produced when ordered, and the printing cost is deducted from the royalty. That makes KDP a sensible starting point when Amazon is your primary sales channel.
KDP also offers Expanded Distribution for eligible paperbacks. It can make a book available to distributors, booksellers and libraries, but acceptance and orders are not guaranteed. Its royalty calculation differs from an Amazon sale, so check the estimated return before selecting it.
Choose KDP first if: you want a manageable Amazon launch and have no immediate plan for a separate wholesale edition.
IngramSpark: wider print ordering channels
IngramSpark is useful when you want your print book in a wholesale catalogue used by bookstores, libraries and online retailers. Creating an account and uploading a print book or ebook currently has no setup charge. You still need to calculate printing costs and the effect of your chosen wholesale discount on what you earn.
Think through returns as well as reach. IngramSpark lets you decide whether a book is returnable. That decision can matter to bookstores, but returns can create costs for you. Do not select returnability simply because it sounds more professional; model the possible cost first.
Choose IngramSpark if: bookstore or library ordering is a meaningful part of your plan, and you are prepared to set wholesale terms deliberately.
Lulu: useful when direct print sales are central
Lulu Direct can connect print-on-demand fulfilment to a shop built with Shopify, Wix or WooCommerce. Your customer buys from your shop; you pay Lulu to print and ship the order. This route gives you a direct sales operation, including responsibility for your shop, pricing and customer experience.
Lulu also offers Global Distribution for eligible books. As of November 2026, it charges a $4.99 one-time review fee for a newly submitted title, requires a proof copy to be purchased and approved, and says retail listing can take approximately 12 weeks or longer. Plan ahead if you have a fixed launch date.
Choose Lulu Direct if: you already have, or are building, an audience that will buy printed books from your own shop. Treat Lulu Global Distribution as a separate decision.
Should you use KDP and IngramSpark together?
Yes, if each has a distinct job. One arrangement is KDP for Amazon print orders and IngramSpark for wholesale distribution. IngramSpark permits this when you own your ISBN, but instructs authors using both services not to enrol the KDP paperback in Expanded Distribution. That avoids overlapping distribution channels for the same edition.
Make the ISBN decision before uploading. A free KDP ISBN can only be used on KDP. If you intend to publish the same print edition through KDP and IngramSpark under one ISBN, obtain your own ISBN and ensure the title, author and publisher details match its registration. Paperback and hardcover editions need separate ISBNs.
Two platforms also mean two sets of files, previews, proofs, prices and future updates to manage. The interior may need checking against each platform’s specifications, while each print cover must be built to the final dimensions and spine width required for that edition. See what changes between print and ebook formatting.
Make the decision before you format the book
- Where do I expect my first readers to buy? Amazon, bookstores, my own shop, or a mixture?
- Which editions am I making? Kindle ebook, paperback and hardcover are separate production decisions.
- Do I need an ISBN I can use across print platforms?
- Can my planned retail price cover printing and distribution costs while leaving an acceptable return? Use each platform’s current calculator with your actual trim size, page count and ink choice.
- Can I manage multiple listings after publication? Corrections may need to be uploaded and checked more than once.
If you are still cleaning up the file, start with how to prepare your manuscript for professional formatting. Decide on the platforms and editions before the final cover and interior files are produced.
A sensible starting point: use KDP alone when your first goal is an Amazon launch. Add IngramSpark when wholesale ordering serves a real purpose for your book. Use Lulu Direct when you have a direct sales plan.
If your manuscript is ready but you are unsure which editions and files to commission, see Adetayo Book Studio’s print and ebook formatting service. Then request a quote with your word count, intended sales channels and planned launch date. I’ll help you define the files your publishing plan actually needs.