We recently worked with an indie author to help them navigate the world of Print-On-Demand (POD). After digging through various platforms, comparing costs and features, and considering long-term strategy, we wanted to share our findings in the hope that you’ll find them helpful!
Disclaimer: We’re not affiliated with any of these platforms-just passing along information we found useful during our own research. We encourage you to do your own research and make the best decision for your unique situation.
What is it?
If you’re a self-published author looking to offer physical copies of your book, Print-On-Demand (POD) is a stress-free, budget-friendly solution. With POD, books are printed only when an order comes in, so you skip big print runs, storage hassles, and upfront costs. It’s an ideal setup if you’re new to publishing, experimenting with formats, or simply want to avoid inventory headaches.
Below, we’ll break down several popular POD services so you can see who offers what, and when it might be smart to use more than one.
Why consider it?
- Low Risk: No giant print runs you’re stuck with if sales are slow.
- Flexibility: Update your book easily. Change a cover, tweak a typo-no wasted stock.
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Simplicity: Fulfillment, shipping, and printing are handled by the service. You can focus on writing and promotion.
- Scalability: As your audience grows, the POD model grows with you.
Major Players
KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)
- Why Use it: Easiet way to get on Amazon. No setup or revision fees.
- Trade-off: Limited print customization (e.g., only one type of paper), Amazon-focused distribution.
- Costs: No upfront fees.
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Tools: KDP Print Cost Calculator
Best For: Beginners who want to dip their toes in quickly and reach Amazon’s vast audience.
IngramSpark
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Why Use it: Broad bookstore and library distribution. More customization options (paper, trim sizes, finishes).
- Trade-off: Costs $49 per title and $25 per file revision. Slightly more complex setup.
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Tools: Publisher Compensation Calculator
Best For: Authors ready to expand beyond Amazon and invest in professional presentation and wider reach.
Lulu Press
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Why Use it: Lulu often costs more but offers flexibility and customization. Greater control over your sales channels with options like Lulu Direct & Wix Guide, Lulu Bookstore and Global distribution.
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Trade-off: Can be more expensive than other options, multiple fees for global distribution, and limited formats qualify.
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Costs: Variable, based on the channel:
- Lulu Bookstore: No Fees besides printing.
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Lulu Direct: Various fees apply, see here for pricing.
- Lulu Global Distribution: Printing, distribution fees, plus 20% royalty cut
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Tools: Lulu Pricing Calculator
Best For: Authors ready to expand beyond Amazon and invest in professional presentation and wider reach.
Draft2Digital
- Why Use it: If you already use D2D for ebooks, adding print is easy. It uses Ingram channels for decent reach.
- Trade-off: Fewer customization options than going straight to IngramSpark. Service is still maturing.
- Costs: Generally no upfront fees for setup; you pay per-sale costs.
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Tools: Pricing Calculator
Best For: Authors who love Draft2Digital’s ebook simplicity and just want a straightforward print add-on.
Barnes & Noble Press
- Why Use it: No upload or change fees, and you get a spot in Barnes & Noble’s online store
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Trade-off: Primarily online distribution; in-store stocking isn't guaranteed. Fewer format choices than IngramSpark
- Costs: No setup or revision fees, you only pay the printing cost.
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Tools: B&N Press Print Cost Calculator
Best For: Authors who want an additional major retailer presence, fee-free flexibility on changes, and a complement to Amazon.
A Step-by-Step Strategy
When it comes to self publishing, more is more. A typical self-published authors uses 4-7 platforms to maximize reach.
- Start with KDP: Launch on Amazon first-its free, easy, and gets you immediate visibility.
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Add IngramSpark: When you're ready to go wide and improve print quality, invest in IngramSpark's fees for better distribution and credibility.
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Consider Lulu Direct: If you have a fan base and want direct sales (e.g. signed copies, special editions), integrate Lulu Direct into your website.
Key Takeaways
- IngramSpark: Great for broad reach and quality, but comes with fees.
- KDP: Easiest start, huge marketplace, limited format options.
- Lulu: Flexible and good for direct sales, but can be pricey.
- Draft2Digital: Handy if you're already there for ebooks.
- B&N Press: No fees, but limited to B&N's ecosystem.
Hope this helps! We’d love to hear about your experiences. If you’d like us to cover anything in more detail, let us know.
