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Erin (E.A.) Whyte

IngramSpark vs. Amazon vs. Draft2Digital: Print on Demand breakdowns for self-publishing authors

There are so many different companies that offer Print on Demand services for self-publishing authors these days. And every self-pub author has their own opinion on what might be best. So let's break down some of the more popular options along with their pros and cons.


IngramSpark


Probably one of the most ubiquitous options for self-publishing, IngramSpark has made a name for itself in terms of easy distribution. It's sort of seen as the "gold standard" by booksellers when it comes to getting a book listed through stores, either online or on shelves.


The main benefit of publishing through Ingram is their catalog. When you list a book for distribution, your title gets added to the IngramSpark catalog that booksellers use to purchase stock. It's also, often, where libraries find their books. So, having a title in this catalog is invaluable. But here are some other things to consider.


Pros:

  • Free unlimited uploads within 60 days

  • Great exposure via catalog

  • Generally easy software

  • Printing in paperback, hardcover, and eBook


Cons:

  • Sometimes glitches with Amazon

  • Low royalties

  • Hard to get in store without returns

  • Limited options for hardcover printing


IngramSpark used to charge for every book uploaded (that is interior print and cover uploads). Just this past year, they changed the option so you can re-upload for free as many times as you want within the span of 60 days. This is great if you notice typos or if there are minor scene changes or cover details that need to be adjusted.


In addition, Ingram offers more customization for the actual print version of a book with matte and gloss covers. They have a wider range of trim sizes, as well as options for both paperback and hardcover.


One of the more negative possibilities with Ingram is a glitch with Amazon. If you intend to publish the same book on both Ingram and Amazon, there can be issues with using the same ISBN across both platforms - even though that's what should be happening. Sometimes Amazon will flag the book scheduled for release because it recognizes the ISBN elsewhere online. While this doesn't happen every time, it has happened enough that many self-publishers know of the cases.


Another downside with Ingram is their low royalties. In order to make a profit off the books, Ingram requires novels to be priced on the higher end. Though, this does depend on how much you're willing to compromise on wholesale costs. (You get to decide how much wholesalers would pay to stock your book. The average percentage is 45-55%.) If you're not as concerned with getting your book into stores, this number can be lower, which would increase the potential royalties you earn on each book. That being said, percentages outside the average aren't likely to be picked up by stores because the profit margin for them would be too low.


On that note, if you're not willing to offer returns (which I wouldn't recommend as a newbie author anyway), it's even less likely that stores will stock your book on shelves. Many booksellers are risk-averse, and if they can't make back what they paid for your book, they won't take up valuable shelf space.


Lastly, though Ingram does offer hardcover printing, the customization options are still relatively basic (no foil, sprayed edges, etc.). But it's still pretty cool to be able to print your book in all formats!


Amazon


As much as we all love to hate on Amazon, it is a bit of an important space for self-publishing authors. It's where a lot of readers find their new reads. That doesn't mean you have to publish on their platform, but it's something to consider.


As an overview, Amazon has a very user-friendly system. They make it simple to upload files, and you can change them as much as you want up to approximately a week or two before the release date.


Pros:

  • It's where readers are, even if we want to say otherwise

  • Easy system

  • Easy to make changes

  • Potential for wide exposure


Cons:

  • It's Amazon...

  • Glitches with other systems if uploading separately

  • Being on KU means the digital copies must be listed exclusively


I know a lot of us would rather not be associated with Amazon if we can avoid it, but it is a prolific reader space.


As mentioned above, there are sometimes cancellations of scheduled publications based on shared ISBNs across other publishing platforms. It can also be difficult getting in touch with customer service should things go wrong.


However, one big benefit of being with Amazon is the potential for KDP Select and having a book listed on Kindle Unlimited. One of the major downsides of this, though, is that the digital copy of the book must be exclusive to Amazon during its stint through KDP Select. That means you can't list or sell the eBook on any other platform. Depending on your strategy, this may or may not hinder your sales plans.


Draft2Digital


Draft2Digital has been known for its digital upload and distribution, but more recently it's also branched into the physical print space. It's important to note that D2D prints through IngramSpark, but you don't need an IngramSpark account to print and publish with D2D.


A major benefit for eBooks through D2D is their formatting and set up. D2D has its own interface for formatting eBooks that provides an automatic table of contents. It's also nice to be able to list all the copies of the same book in one place.


Pros:

  • Does everything for you and prints through IS

  • Nice to have all the information in one place

  • Easy interface

  • Can run paperback pre-orders (but you have to have final files uploaded)

  • No cost to upload or publish (does take a percentage of sales)

  • Can choose distribution channels


Cons:

  • Potential charges for interior file changes if it's your mistake

  • Print options for books are relatively new and can be prone to limited options

  • Must have ISBN to start the process


A huge plus with D2D is that they allow for print pre-orders (as far as I'm aware, it's the only Print on Demand service to do so). The important asterisk is that your final files have to be uploaded for the pre-order to be listed.


Additionally, they don't charge to upload files or publish the book (they take a percentage of each book sold in the same way a traditional publishing house would). However, D2D may charge to re-upload files if the "mistake" was yours (typos, wrong doc, etc.). They allow one interior file change every 90 days.


One of the best options with D2D is that you can choose where they distribute your book. Where IngramSpark simply lists it wherever it has connections, D2D allows you to select the markets where you'd like your book listed.


While sometimes it's nice to explore some of the information you may need to publish and to get the admin work out of the way ahead of upload, D2D doesn't really let you do this. You need an ISBN, which is easy enough to get, but it's something to keep in mind.


Lastly, D2D's print option is relatively new. Although they print through IngramSpark, the options for covers and customizations are significantly simpler than they are on IS.


Other Wide


The term "publishing wide" means getting your book into as many markets and bookstores as possible. Specifically, that might look like listing your book on every publishing platform possible. There are lots to choose from, and many that I'm probably not aware of!


It's easy enough to list and upload the same content to individual sites as you might through one place (like Draft2Digital). Just make sure you're not re-listing a book if you have published through Draft2Digital or IngramSpark.


The major benefit of publishing wide is exposure. The more places your book is listed, the more likely a reader will be to find it.


The downside of doing it ourselves is that, if any changes are made, they need to be made across every platform where the book is listed. Whereas publishing through one company would only be one change/re-upload.


Some places you may want to list yourself:

  • Barnes & Noble

  • Apple

  • Kobo


There you have it! I hope this gave you an idea of the options out there for self-publishing. I should also note that many self-publishers will use two or three companies when they release their book. (I used all three. IngramSpark for paperback distribution, Amazon for paperback and eBook, and Draft2Digital for eBook distribution.)


Happy writing,

Erin


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