Last reviewed by Robert Prime — July 2026
The Verdict — July 2026: IngramSpark is the standard route to bookshop and library distribution, but it is not the only game in town. KDP is the strongest single platform for UK self-publishers — free to use, 60% print royalties at or above £7.99, and by far the largest buyer pool. For wide distribution beyond Amazon, Draft2Digital is the easiest option ($20 one-off activation for new accounts, plus $12/yr charged only if the account earns under $100/yr). Lulu and direct retailer uploads are viable for specific situations. Most UK authors should use KDP as their base plus one wide distributor, rather than putting everything through a single channel.
IngramSpark alternatives at a glance
| Platform | Cost to publish | Print royalty / model | Distribution reach | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KDP (Amazon) | Free | 60% of list minus print cost (at/above £7.99) | Amazon only | Your default base — highest volume channel |
| Draft2Digital | $20 one-off (new accounts) · $12/yr only under $100/yr earnings | Revenue share (D2D takes a percentage) | Apple, Kobo, B&N, libraries, others | Easiest wide ebook + print distribution |
| BookBaby | Package-based (varies) | Varies by package | Wide retail including Waterstones, Gardners | Authors who want a managed service |
| Lulu | Pay per copy | Author sets price minus print cost | Amazon, Ingram, direct sales | Short runs, direct sales, specialty formats |
| Direct to retailers | Free | Varies by retailer | Apple Books, Kobo, B&N Press individually | Authors willing to manage multiple dashboards |
| IngramSpark (for comparison) | Free setup, $25/revision, 1.875% market access | Wholesale discount model (author sets trade discount) | Bookshops, libraries, global retail via Ingram | Widest print trade distribution |
Why authors look for IngramSpark alternatives
IngramSpark plugs your book into Ingram's distribution network — the system bookshops and libraries actually order through. That is its core strength and it does it well. But there are reasons authors look elsewhere:
- The wholesale discount model is confusing. You set a trade discount (typically 55% for bookshop placement), which means a large chunk of your list price goes to the retailer before you see any revenue.
- Revision fees. Each file update costs $25. If you spot a typo after launch, fixing it is not free.
- The 1.875% market access fee is small per sale but adds up.
- Not every book needs bookshop distribution. If your sales are primarily on Amazon — which is true for the majority of self-published titles — IngramSpark's trade distribution may not justify the setup.
None of these are dealbreakers. IngramSpark is a good platform. But it is worth knowing what the alternatives offer before committing.
The alternatives
1. KDP (Amazon) — free, highest-volume channel
Amazon KDP is free to publish on. There is no setup fee, no revision fee, and no market access charge. You upload your files, set your price, and Amazon prints and ships on demand.
KDP pays 60% of list price minus print cost for paperbacks priced at or above £7.99 (50% below that threshold). For a 250-page paperback at £9.99, the arithmetic is straightforward — see the worked example below.
The limitation is distribution: KDP sells through Amazon only. Your book will not appear in Waterstones, independent bookshops or library catalogues through KDP alone. That is the gap IngramSpark fills — but if Amazon accounts for the bulk of your sales, KDP on its own may be enough. For the full head-to-head, see KDP vs IngramSpark.
2. Draft2Digital — easiest wide distribution
Draft2Digital is a distribution aggregator. You upload once and it pushes your book to Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, libraries and other retailers. It now offers print distribution as well as ebook.
The cost is a $20 one-off activation fee (new accounts only) plus a $12 annual maintenance fee that is charged only on accounts earning under $100/yr (accounts with no titles in distribution are exempt). Draft2Digital also takes a percentage of each sale rather than charging upfront per title, which means lower risk if a book sells slowly. Setup is simpler than IngramSpark — fewer settings to configure, fewer decisions about trade discounts.
The trade-off: Draft2Digital's print distribution network is not as deep as Ingram's for physical bookshop placement. If your goal is to get stocked in bricks-and-mortar shops, IngramSpark is still the stronger route. But for wide ebook distribution and basic wide print availability, Draft2Digital is the path of least resistance. See Draft2Digital vs KDP for the comparison.
3. BookBaby — managed service, package pricing
BookBaby is a US-based full-service publisher that bundles printing, distribution and optional add-ons (editing, cover design, marketing) into packages. It distributes to a wide range of retailers including Waterstones and Gardners in the UK.
The catch is cost: BookBaby packages are priced at a premium because you are buying a bundle rather than individual services. Exact pricing varies by package and changes frequently, so check BookBaby's site for current figures.
For most UK authors, assembling your own stack (KDP + a wide distributor + separate formatting and editing) is cheaper and gives you more control. See BookBaby vs KDP and BookBaby alternatives for the full breakdown.
4. Lulu — POD printing with some distribution
Lulu is a print-on-demand platform that offers both direct printing and distribution through retail channels including Amazon and Ingram. It is useful for short runs, specialty formats (hardcover, photo books) and direct sales — situations where you want physical copies in your own hands or a format KDP does not support.
Lulu is not usually a primary distribution backbone. Its retail reach is narrower than IngramSpark's, and per-copy print costs tend to be higher than KDP's. But as a supplementary channel — especially for direct-to-reader sales or event stock — it fills a gap. See KDP vs Lulu for the comparison.
5. Direct to retailers — free but time-consuming
You can upload directly to Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life and Barnes & Noble Press at no cost. Each platform has its own dashboard, file requirements and reporting. This avoids aggregator fees entirely, but you are managing multiple accounts, multiple file uploads and multiple royalty reports.
This route suits authors who want maximum control and are comfortable with the admin overhead. For most, an aggregator like Draft2Digital is simpler.
Worked example: 250-page paperback at £9.99
KDP royalty
- Print cost: £0.85 + (250 pages × £0.010) = £0.85 + £2.50 = £3.35
- Royalty rate: 60% (list price is at or above £7.99)
- Royalty per sale: (60% × £9.99) − £3.35 = £5.99 − £3.35 = £2.64
- Note the order: KDP applies the rate to the full list price, then subtracts the print cost — not 60% of your margin.
IngramSpark royalty (for comparison)
IngramSpark uses a wholesale discount model. You set a trade discount — typically 55% to secure bookshop placement:
- List price: £9.99
- 55% trade discount to retailer: £9.99 × 55% = £5.49
- Revenue to author before costs: £9.99 − £5.49 = £4.50
- Deductions from that £4.50: IngramSpark's print cost for the book (varies by spec — check their calculator) plus 1.875% market access fee (£9.99 × 1.875% = £0.19)
- Author receives: £4.50 − print cost − £0.19
The exact IngramSpark royalty depends on print cost, which varies by trim size, page count and paper type. In practice, for a standard 250-page paperback, the author typically nets less per copy on IngramSpark than on KDP — but IngramSpark puts the book in front of bookshops and libraries that KDP cannot reach.
The takeaway: KDP pays more per copy on Amazon sales. IngramSpark earns less per copy but opens a distribution channel KDP does not have. Most UK authors use both.
Common mistakes
- Choosing one platform and ignoring the other. KDP and IngramSpark (or another wide distributor) serve different channels. Using only one means leaving sales on the table in the other.
- Setting the IngramSpark trade discount too low. Bookshops typically expect a 55% discount. Setting it at 40% or lower means shops are unlikely to stock your book — and you lose the main reason for using IngramSpark in the first place.
- Using a free KDP ISBN on IngramSpark. A free KDP ISBN lists Amazon as the publisher of record and only works on Amazon's channel. If you are going wide, buy your own ISBN from Nielsen (£93 single, £174 for 10).
- Forgetting revision costs on IngramSpark. Every file update costs $25. Proof your files thoroughly before uploading. A free KDP Readiness Score catches common issues before you upload anywhere.
- Assuming bookshop distribution means bookshop sales. IngramSpark makes your book available to order — it does not guarantee shops will stock it. Physical bookshop placement requires trade discount, returnability settings and often direct outreach to buyers.
Frequently asked questions
Is KDP better than IngramSpark for UK authors?
They serve different purposes. KDP is better for Amazon sales — free to use, 60% print royalties, and Amazon is the largest single book-buying channel in the UK. IngramSpark is better for bookshop and library distribution via Ingram's trade network. Most UK authors use both: KDP for Amazon, IngramSpark (or Draft2Digital) for everywhere else. See KDP vs IngramSpark.
What is the cheapest alternative to IngramSpark?
Draft2Digital ($20 one-off activation for new accounts, plus $12/yr charged only if the account earns under $100/yr) is the cheapest wide distribution option. It handles ebook and print distribution to multiple retailers with lower friction than IngramSpark. KDP is free but limited to Amazon. For the full comparison, see Draft2Digital vs KDP.
Do I need IngramSpark if I use KDP?
Not necessarily. If your sales are primarily on Amazon — which is the case for the majority of self-published titles — KDP alone may be sufficient. IngramSpark adds value when you want bookshop placement, library availability or international retail distribution beyond Amazon's marketplace.
Can I use Draft2Digital instead of IngramSpark?
Yes, for most purposes. Draft2Digital distributes ebooks and print books to a wide range of retailers and libraries. Its print distribution network is not as deep as Ingram's for physical bookshop ordering, but for wide availability it is a simpler and cheaper option. See BookBaby alternatives for how the assembled-stack approach works.
What ISBN do I need for wide distribution?
Buy your own ISBN from Nielsen (£93 for a single, £174 for a pack of 10). A free KDP ISBN only works on Amazon and lists Amazon as the publisher of record. Your own ISBN travels across KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital and any other platform, and lists you (or your imprint) as the publisher.
About this guide
Written by Robert Prime for publishing.co.uk. Last reviewed July 2026. Prices, fees and platform terms change — verify current figures with the linked sources before relying on them.
