Last reviewed by Robert Prime — July 2026
Verdict: For UK self-publishers, IngramSpark wins. It prints in the UK, distributes through the UK's wholesale network (Gardners, Bertrams), and is the route UK bookshops and libraries actually order from. BookBaby is a decent US-focused package deal — setup, formatting, distribution bundled — but its UK reach is limited, its per-unit print costs are higher, and books ship from the US. If UK bookshop and library distribution matters to you (and it should), IngramSpark is the platform.
BookBaby vs IngramSpark at a glance
| IngramSpark | BookBaby | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup fee | Free (title setup removed 2024) | $0–$399+ depending on package |
| Print location | UK, EU, US, AU (nearest-to-buyer) | US primarily |
| UK wholesale | Yes — Gardners, Bertrams, Ingram | Limited |
| UK bookshop distribution | Yes — standard trade route | Minimal |
| UK library distribution | Yes — via Ingram network | Limited |
| Print cost (250pp B&W paperback) | ~£3.00–£3.50 (UK print) | |
| Ebook distribution | Yes — 40+ retailers | Yes — major retailers |
| Royalty model | You set list price, pay print cost, keep the rest | Varies by package |
| ISBN required? | Yes — must own your own | Included in some packages (BookBaby as publisher) |
| Best for | UK authors wanting bookshop/library distribution | US authors wanting an all-in-one package |
Why this matters for UK authors
Most BookBaby vs IngramSpark comparisons are written from a US perspective, where BookBaby's bundled services make more sense. For UK authors, the picture is different because of three factors:
Print location. IngramSpark prints in the UK through its Lightning Source facility. Books ordered by UK customers, bookshops, or libraries are printed locally — fast delivery, no transatlantic shipping costs. BookBaby prints primarily in the US, meaning UK orders face international shipping, customs delays, and higher per-unit costs.
Wholesale distribution. UK bookshops order stock through Gardners and Bertrams (the two main UK wholesalers). IngramSpark feeds directly into this network via Ingram. If a Waterstones branch wants to stock your book, they order it through Gardners — and it's there because IngramSpark put it there. BookBaby doesn't have this direct UK wholesale integration.
Libraries. UK public libraries source books through established supply chains connected to Ingram. IngramSpark titles are discoverable and orderable through these channels. BookBaby titles largely aren't.
Setup costs in GBP
| Cost element | IngramSpark | BookBaby (Print + Distribution package) |
|---|---|---|
| Title setup | Free | |
| Nielsen ISBN (own) | £93 single / £174 for 10 | Included in package (BookBaby as publisher) or buy your own |
| Cover design | Not included (bring your own) | Included in premium packages (~$549–$1,099) |
| Interior formatting | Not included (bring your own) | Included in premium packages |
| Revisions | Free (file updates removed fee 2024) | Varies — some packages include, others charge |
IngramSpark is a platform — you bring finished files, it prints and distributes. BookBaby is a service — it can handle formatting, cover design, and distribution as a bundle. That bundling sounds convenient, but you're paying a premium and losing control.
Worked example: total cost to publish a 250-page paperback
| IngramSpark route | BookBaby route | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | £0 | ~£319 |
| ISBN (own, Nielsen) | £93 | £93 (or use BookBaby's — they're listed as publisher) |
| Cover design (freelance) | £350 | £0 (included in premium) or £350 (basic package) |
| Formatting | £49–£150 (service like publishing.co.uk) | £0 (included in premium) or £49–£150 |
| Total to publish | £492–£593 | £412–£762 |
BookBaby's bundled packages look competitive on paper, but the cover and formatting quality from budget bundles is inconsistent. Most serious UK authors bring their own files to IngramSpark and control the quality themselves.
Print costs and royalties — the GBP numbers
This is where IngramSpark's UK printing gives a concrete advantage.
A 250-page black-and-white paperback, 6"×9" trim:
| IngramSpark (UK print) | BookBaby (US print) | |
|---|---|---|
| Print cost | ~£3.10 | ~£4.40–£5.60 (converted from USD) |
| List price | £9.99 | £9.99 |
| Wholesale discount (55% for bookshop distribution) | £5.49 | £5.49 |
| Your margin | £9.99 − £5.49 − £3.10 = £1.40 | £9.99 − £5.49 − £4.40 = £0.10 |
At a 55% wholesale discount (the standard for UK bookshop returnability), IngramSpark leaves you a thin but positive margin. BookBaby's higher print cost wipes it out.
If you sell direct through Amazon (no wholesale discount), margins improve for both — but IngramSpark's lower print cost still gives more room.
The wholesale discount matters. UK bookshops won't stock a book unless the publisher offers a trade discount (typically 55%) and returnability. IngramSpark lets you set both. BookBaby's distribution doesn't offer the same flexibility for the UK trade.
Distribution reach
IngramSpark distributes to:
- 40,000+ retailers and libraries worldwide via the Ingram network
- UK bookshops via Gardners and Bertrams
- UK public libraries via Ingram's library supply chain
- Amazon (listed automatically, though KDP gives better Amazon-specific royalties)
- International markets via local Ingram print facilities
BookBaby distributes to:
- Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and other major online retailers
- Some physical bookshop channels (primarily US)
- Limited UK wholesale and library reach
For UK authors, IngramSpark's distribution is significantly wider where it matters — physical UK bookshops and libraries.
When BookBaby makes sense
BookBaby isn't a bad product — it's a bad fit for UK-focused distribution. It makes sense if:
- You're a US-based author selling primarily in the US market
- You want a bundled service (formatting + cover + distribution) and don't want to manage multiple vendors
- You're publishing ebook only and don't need UK print distribution
- You value simplicity over control and are happy to pay the premium
For UK authors who want their books in Waterstones, Foyles, or their local library, BookBaby doesn't deliver. IngramSpark does.
Common mistakes
- Using BookBaby's ISBN. BookBaby is listed as the publisher, which limits your flexibility and looks unprofessional to UK trade buyers. Buy your own from Nielsen (£93 single / £174 for 10).
- Setting a low wholesale discount on IngramSpark. UK bookshops expect 55% and returnability. Setting 40% saves you margin but means no bookshop will stock you.
- Forgetting about KDP. IngramSpark is for wide distribution and bookshops. For Amazon-specific sales, most authors also publish directly on KDP (different ISBN) for better Amazon royalties. The two aren't mutually exclusive.
- Assuming IngramSpark = bookshop placement. IngramSpark makes your book orderable through bookshops, not stocked in bookshops. Bookshops order what customers request or what sales reps pitch. You still need to market.
- Skipping the file check. IngramSpark rejects files with incorrect trim, bleed, or spine width. Run a free KDP Readiness Score before uploading — it catches the same technical issues.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use both IngramSpark and BookBaby?
Technically yes, but there's no reason to. IngramSpark covers everything BookBaby offers for distribution, plus UK wholesale and libraries. Most UK authors pair IngramSpark (for wide/bookshop distribution) with KDP (for Amazon-specific sales).
Does IngramSpark print in the UK?
Yes. IngramSpark uses Lightning Source's UK print facility. Books ordered by UK buyers are printed locally — no transatlantic shipping, faster delivery, lower cost per unit.
Do UK bookshops actually order from IngramSpark?
They order from Gardners and Bertrams, the UK's main wholesalers, who source from Ingram's catalogue. So yes — if your book is on IngramSpark with a 55% discount and returnability, a UK bookshop can order it through their normal supply chain.
Is BookBaby's formatting service worth it?
For UK authors, usually not. The quality from BookBaby's budget packages is inconsistent, and you're paying a premium for the convenience. A UK-based formatting service like publishing.co.uk (from £49) gives you a KDP/IngramSpark-ready file without the lock-in.
Should I use IngramSpark or KDP for Amazon sales?
KDP for Amazon, IngramSpark for everywhere else. KDP gives better Amazon royalties and faster listing. IngramSpark's Amazon listing works but the royalty is lower because of the wholesale discount. Most UK authors use both.
Whichever route you choose, getting the formatting right is what separates amateur from professional. Run a free KDP Readiness Score to check your file, or let us format it for you from £49.
