Last reviewed by Robert Prime — July 2026
The Verdict — July 2026: For Amazon sales, KDP is the clear winner — free to use, higher royalties, and faster listing on the UK's largest book-buying platform. For bookshop and library distribution, IngramSpark is essential — its Ingram network reaches retailers that KDP cannot. Most UK authors should start with KDP, prove the book sells, then add IngramSpark for wider distribution. Do not use IngramSpark as your only platform unless bookshop presence is more important to you than Amazon royalties.
At a Glance
| Feature | KDP | IngramSpark |
|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | Free | Free (revisions $25 each) |
| Print royalty model | (60% × list price) − print cost at £7.99+; 50% rate below £7.99 | List price - wholesale discount - print cost - 1.875% market access fee |
| Ebook royalty | 70% within £1.77–£12.99 band; 35% outside | Not applicable (print-focused) |
| Amazon listing | Immediate, direct | Via Ingram distribution (may take 1–2 weeks) |
| Bookshop distribution | Very limited (Expanded Distribution only) | Wide — Waterstones, Gardners, independents, libraries |
| Library distribution | Minimal | Strong — libraries order through Ingram |
| ISBN | Free (Amazon as publisher) or own Nielsen ISBN | Own Nielsen ISBN required |
| File revision cost | Free, unlimited | $25 per revision |
| UK print facility | Yes | Yes (via Ingram's UK printer) |
How KDP Royalties Work
KDP's print royalty calculation is straightforward:
Royalty = (Royalty rate × List price) − Print cost
The royalty rate depends on your list price:
- 60% for books priced at £7.99 or above (or $9.99+ in the US)
- 50% for books priced below £7.99
Print cost for UK paperbacks (black and white, 6×9 trim):
- 24–110 pages: £1.93 flat
- 111+ pages: £0.85 + £0.010 per page
KDP ebook royalties:
- 70% for ebooks priced within the £1.77–£12.99 band (the ceiling rose from £9.99 to £12.99 in July 2026)
- 35% for ebooks priced outside that band
How IngramSpark Royalties Work
IngramSpark uses a wholesale discount model, which works differently from KDP's percentage-of-retail approach.
When you set up a title on IngramSpark, you choose:
- A retail price (what readers pay)
- A wholesale discount (the percentage off retail that retailers receive)
The wholesale discount is what makes bookshop distribution possible. Bookshops and distributors like Gardners (the UK's largest book wholesaler) expect a discount — typically 55% for full bookshop distribution, or 40% for online-only availability.
Author revenue = List price - Wholesale discount - Print cost - Market access fee
The market access fee is 1.875% of the list price. This is IngramSpark's charge for listing your book in the Ingram catalogue.
The trade-off is clear: IngramSpark's wholesale model means you keep less per copy than KDP, but your book reaches retailers that KDP cannot access.
Worked Example: 250-Page Paperback at £9.99
Here is the exact royalty calculation for the same book on each platform — a 250-page black-and-white paperback, 6×9 trim, priced at £9.99.
KDP Calculation
| Step | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| List price | £9.99 | |
| Royalty rate (at £9.99, this is 60%) | 60% × £9.99 | £5.99 |
| Print cost | £0.85 + (250 × £0.010) | £3.35 |
| Royalty per copy | £5.99 - £3.35 | £2.64 |
You keep £2.64 per copy sold on Amazon.
Watch the order of operations. KDP's formula is (royalty rate × list price) − printing cost — the rate is applied to the full list price, and the print cost is subtracted afterwards. It is not 60% of your margin. Getting this backwards inflates the figure by more than a third, which is why so many published royalty estimates are wrong.
IngramSpark Calculation (55% Wholesale Discount)
With a 55% wholesale discount (the standard for bookshop distribution):
| Step | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| List price | £9.99 | |
| Wholesale discount (55%) | 55% × £9.99 | £5.49 |
| Revenue after discount | £9.99 - £5.49 | £4.50 |
| Market access fee (1.875%) | 1.875% × £9.99 | £0.19 |
| Revenue after fee | £4.50 - £0.19 | £4.31 |
| Print cost (IngramSpark's print cost for this spec) | Check IngramSpark's calculator for exact figure | ~£3.50–£4.00 |
| Author revenue | £4.31 - print cost | £0.31–£0.81 |
You keep roughly £0.31–£0.81 per copy sold through a bookshop at 55% discount.
Note: IngramSpark's exact print cost varies by paper weight, trim size, and order volume. Always use IngramSpark's online cost calculator for the precise figure for your book's specifications. The point stands regardless of the exact print cost: the 55% wholesale discount dramatically reduces your per-copy revenue compared to KDP.
IngramSpark Calculation (40% Wholesale Discount)
With a 40% discount (online-only distribution, no bookshop stocking):
| Step | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| List price | £9.99 | |
| Wholesale discount (40%) | 40% × £9.99 | £4.00 |
| Revenue after discount | £9.99 - £4.00 | £5.99 |
| Market access fee (1.875%) | 1.875% × £9.99 | £0.19 |
| Revenue after fee | £5.99 - £0.19 | £5.80 |
| Print cost | ~£3.50–£4.00 | |
| Author revenue | £5.80 - print cost | £1.80–£2.30 |
Better — but still less than KDP's £2.64 per copy. And at 40% discount, most physical bookshops will not stock your book.
Distribution: Where Each Platform Reaches
This is where IngramSpark earns its place.
KDP Distribution
- Amazon.co.uk — immediate listing, full control over pricing and promotions
- Other Amazon marketplaces — .com, .de, .fr, .es, .it, .nl, .pl, .se, .com.au, .co.jp, .ca
- KDP Expanded Distribution — limited access to some non-Amazon retailers, but most UK bookshops do not order through this channel, and royalties drop to (40% × list price) − print cost
KDP's strength is Amazon, which accounts for the majority of UK online book sales. For most self-published authors, Amazon is where the buyers are.
IngramSpark Distribution
- Ingram catalogue — the global standard. Bookshops, libraries, and retailers worldwide order from Ingram.
- Waterstones — UK's largest bookshop chain. They order through Gardners, who source from Ingram.
- Gardners — UK's largest book wholesaler. Supplies independent bookshops, libraries, and online retailers.
- Independent bookshops — can order your book through their usual Ingram/Gardners supply chain.
- Libraries — UK public libraries order through Ingram and library suppliers. An IngramSpark listing with returnable status makes library stocking possible.
- Amazon — IngramSpark titles also appear on Amazon, but KDP listings take priority in Amazon's buy box.
The practical reality: IngramSpark gets your book into the supply chain that physical retail uses. KDP does not. If a bookshop customer asks for your book, the shop can order it through Ingram — but not through KDP.
Setup and Ongoing Costs
KDP
- Account setup: Free
- Title setup: Free
- File uploads and revisions: Free, unlimited
- ISBN: Free (Amazon-assigned) or your own Nielsen ISBN (£93 single / £174 for 10)
IngramSpark
- Account setup: Free
- Title setup: Free
- File revisions: $25 per revision (cover or interior)
- ISBN: You must supply your own Nielsen ISBN — IngramSpark does not provide free ISBNs
- Market access fee: 1.875% of list price, deducted from each sale
The $25 revision fee is IngramSpark's most commonly criticised cost. It means you need your files right before you upload — every correction costs money. This is where professional formatting pays for itself. Get your interior formatted correctly the first time (through publishing.co.uk or another service) and you avoid repeat revision fees.
Draft2Digital as an Alternative
Draft2Digital is a third option worth considering, particularly for ebook distribution. Since acquiring Smashwords, Draft2Digital distributes to Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, libraries (via OverDrive), and other retailers.
- Activation: $20 one-time fee
- Annual fee: $12/year
- No per-revision fees
- Print distribution through their partnership with KDP Print (for Amazon) and their own print network for other retailers
Draft2Digital is simpler than IngramSpark and cheaper than BookBaby, but its print distribution is narrower than Ingram's network. For UK authors who want non-Amazon ebook distribution without IngramSpark's complexity, it is a solid middle ground.
For a deeper comparison with KDP, see our Draft2Digital vs KDP guide.
The Recommended Strategy for UK Authors
If you are publishing your first book:
- Start with KDP. It is free, the royalty rate is the highest available on Amazon, and Amazon is where most self-published sales happen.
- Buy your own Nielsen ISBN (£93 single, or £174 for a block of 10 if you plan more books). Do not use a free KDP ISBN — it locks Amazon in as your publisher and complicates future distribution. See our ISBN requirements guide.
- Format your book correctly the first time. Whether you use publishing.co.uk or another service, getting the files right before upload saves time on KDP and money on IngramSpark's revision fees.
- Add IngramSpark later — once your book has reviews and proven sales on Amazon. List the same book on IngramSpark with a 55% wholesale discount and returnable status to make it available to bookshops and libraries.
If bookshop distribution is essential from day one:
Use both KDP and IngramSpark simultaneously. List on KDP for Amazon sales (higher royalties). List on IngramSpark for bookshop and library access (wider distribution). Use the same ISBN on both — retailers will see one listing regardless of which platform prints the copy.
For a broader comparison of platforms, see our KDP vs IngramSpark guide and KDP vs Lulu guide.
Common Mistakes
Using IngramSpark as your only platform. IngramSpark titles appear on Amazon, but KDP titles get preferential treatment in Amazon's buy box and recommendations. If you only use IngramSpark, you are leaving Amazon royalties on the table.
Setting a 40% wholesale discount and expecting bookshop placement. Bookshops need margin. A 40% discount rarely covers their costs. If you want physical bookshop distribution, set 55% — and accept the lower per-copy revenue as the cost of that channel.
Uploading unfinished files to IngramSpark. Every revision costs $25. Authors who upload, spot a typo, fix it, spot another issue, fix that — can easily spend $75–$100 on revisions for a single title. Get your files professionally checked before uploading.
Ignoring the market access fee in your pricing. The 1.875% fee is small per copy but adds up. Factor it into your pricing calculation from the start.
Expecting bookshops to actively stock your book. IngramSpark makes your book available to bookshops — it does not make bookshops order it. Stocking decisions depend on demand, shelf space, and your relationship with the shop. IngramSpark gives you access to the supply chain; marketing gives you the demand.
Sources
Figures were checked against these primary sources in July 2026; providers reprice, so verify the live page before you rely on a number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IngramSpark better than KDP for UK authors?
Neither is universally better — they serve different purposes. KDP pays higher royalties and dominates Amazon sales. IngramSpark provides access to bookshops, libraries, and the wider retail supply chain. Most successful UK indie authors use both: KDP for Amazon, IngramSpark for everything else.
How much does IngramSpark cost?
Account setup and title creation are free. File revisions cost $25 each. A 1.875% market access fee is deducted from each sale. You must supply your own ISBN (£93 from Nielsen for a single, £174 for 10). The main cost is the wholesale discount you offer to retailers — typically 55% for bookshop distribution — which significantly reduces your per-copy revenue.
Can I use both KDP and IngramSpark for the same book?
Yes, and many UK authors do. Use the same ISBN on both platforms. KDP handles Amazon sales (where you earn the highest royalty), and IngramSpark handles bookshop and library distribution. The key is to disable IngramSpark's Amazon distribution channel to avoid competing with your own KDP listing.
What wholesale discount should I set on IngramSpark?
55% if you want bookshops to stock your book. This is the industry standard that retailers expect. At 40%, your book is technically available but most physical bookshops will not order it because the margin is too thin. Choose based on whether physical retail is a genuine priority or just a nice-to-have.
How do IngramSpark royalties compare to KDP?
On a £9.99 paperback (250 pages, 6×9), KDP pays roughly £2.64 per copy. IngramSpark at 55% wholesale discount pays roughly £0.31–£0.81 per copy (depending on print cost). The difference is the wholesale discount that makes bookshop distribution possible. IngramSpark is not a royalty-maximising platform — it is a distribution platform.
Before you upload to either platform, check your manuscript is ready with a free KDP Readiness Score. If your files need formatting for KDP or IngramSpark, we handle both from £69.
