KDP or IngramSpark: which should you use?

By Yvette Farkas · October 2026

Most self-published authors end up using both. Each one does a different job.

Amazon KDP

KDP publishes your ebook and paperback (and hardcover) on Amazon. Setup is free and simple, and Amazon is where most readers buy books online. If you publish only one way, start here.

IngramSpark

IngramSpark prints your book on demand and lists it with Ingram, the distributor that bookstores and libraries order from. A school or library can order your book through its usual supplier without going to Amazon. IngramSpark also offers more print options, such as hardcovers with dust jackets.

Two settings matter at IngramSpark:

• Wholesale discount: the share bookstores receive. A lower discount pays you more per copy; a higher one makes bookstores more willing to stock you.
• Returns: allowing returns makes stores more likely to order, but returned copies are charged back to you. Many independent authors choose no returns.

Using both

A common setup: publish the ebook and paperback on Amazon through KDP, and the print editions for everyone else through IngramSpark. For this, use your own ISBNs. The free ISBN from KDP can only be used on Amazon, so it cannot go to IngramSpark.

Which first?

If your readers buy mostly on Amazon, start with KDP. If you plan school visits, library sales or bookstore events, add IngramSpark from the start.

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