What i find interesting is that the Ingram Sparks version has darker skin tones while a lighter background color and the KDP has darker background (maybe because of the gloss printing effect?) yet lighter skin tones. In a way, this is actually advantageous to have because it gives you a broader target market actually. You will have buyers of many "skin tones" buy this book for their children. Not just more white looking kids. I love that you have been given this chance for all children to to see themselves in your book characters. That is so valuable.
As an artist, seeing the huge difference between the colors, I vastly prefer the KDP print because of how much it pops. Thanks for showing the comparisons.
I'm currently publishing and researching and I believe the difference we're seeing is because she chose the standard 70 color with Ingram instead of the premium. It's the same weight paper (70lbs), but a different process that gives you the vibrant color and shine. The difference in cost is high, though. For example, my book is 28 pages. It will cost 7.75 for the standard 70, and 9.03 for the premium. Honestly, I don't think I could handle the colors being muted like that so I'll opt for the more expensive version.
@@weastcoaast Really appreciate the comment. I'm still going back & forth on who to print my next art book with & the weird repeated delays people have gotten from KDP (sometimes to the tune of 3-4 months) makes me hesitant to try to publish with them. I'm with you on not being able to handle the colors being so muted, especially on an art book, so that gives Ingram more of a level playing field if the premium produces the expected results. The cost difference wouldn't bother me that much as long as the finished product looks noticeably better.
Thank you for this. I'm really surprised by the drastic difference in printing color and quality. I lean towards KDP with the more vibrant color and shine.
First time self-publisher here! This was so helpful and informative, thank you! I will definitely be using BOTH KDP and IngramSpark to their full advantage!
Thanks for making this! I’m creating a time line for making my own book (writing and illustrating). My art work is vibrant, so seeing this comparison definitely helps. Thanks so much.
I would love to see a comparison of KDP standard color vs. premium color. The difference on my 180 full color book is over $7.00 in royalties. Even at $29 per book, I would only make $3.95 in profit on premium color vs. $10.00 for standard printing. At $29 per book, I would LOSE money if I went with premium color and wanted expanded distribution. I need help in deciding. This is a fashion book so color saturation will matter. I am a curvy mature fashion influencer and this book will be the base for my brand that includes a popular fashion blog.
If color matters - go with the premium color. Standard is more for text books. But if you are still on the fence, order a proof of both and that will be key in deciding. Your book sounds great!
Great info. I'm heading for combining both platforms using two different ISBN numbers. Do you have a video on pricing so that the listing on Amazon look similar and not two wholly different pricing.
Thanks so much for the detail! Maybe I missed it, but is your Ingram color "standard 70" or "premium 70"? Also, my understanding was that Ingram paperback and KDP paperback needed their own ISBNs - something about, if you Amazon will only print their own (via KDP) if you provide them an ISBN for their use only - are you saying I can create a paperback on Ingram with one ISBN, and use the SAME ISBN when setting up in KDP - it won't error that it's already used elsewhere?
For IngramSpark I use the standard color. Other author friends haven't noticed a significant different when using premium, though I never have to compare. Yes, you can use the same ISBNs for KDP and IngramSpark, as long as they are the same version (ex. same file, both paperbacks) and you don't check Expanded Distribution on KDP, there won't be an error 😊
Hi Bethany, Thank you so much for a much needed and informative video. I have published some workbooks via KDP and although the inside shiny paper was great, I wasn’t pleased with the color prints. I had created those workbooks on Canva. Do you think designing on canva vs indesign makes a difference in print quality? Also how do you make sure that the black text on full spread illustrations comes out looking black and not gray. Many thanks in advance.
Hm. It seems like a color space problem (ex. CMYK vs RGB). The software you use to create shouldn't be an issue. It's hard to say what the issue is without seeing it. But I'd just recommend checking there is no transparency, the files are high res, and the color on the program looks the same as the exported version, and the same on KDP and the same on the proof. Hopefully slowly looking at each aspect should isolate which stage the issue is coming in at. I wish I could help more! Wishing you the best ❤😊
Thanks for this video! I didn't even think of using both. I was expecting to go with one or the other. Did you buy your own ISBN instead of using kdp's free one? If so did you use the same ISBN on both IS and kdp?
This is actually matte paper and KDP does not currently offer a gloss option. The shiny appearance is slightly due to the ink and is preferred among children's books for a more professional look (as shiny/glossy pages are common in standard children's books), however there are many printers to choose from if it is not your cup of tea for your book.
Very good info. Thanks. I am stuck on choosing a subject for the kids book. Whatever I choose keeps saying I cannot choose that as a subject for the juveline book. Completely clueless. You didn't seem to have a problem. What subject did you choose for this book? The visual for this video could be more varied, however. Seeing the books being shoved, gathered, spread out again and again was distracting.
Question for you about color space! I read that KDP uses RGB while IS uses CMYK. Did you upload the same file (using one color space or the other) to both? Or did you create separate files with the appropriate profile for each one? That could account for the difference in vibrancy between the two printed books.
Yes, CMYK recommended for IS, though they do take RGB files as well and you can use either for KDP, as they do color convert. So you could use the same CMYK file for both instead of converting. I personally use the same interior file - just so I don't mix them up haha. Some books have minor differences where it is barely detectable , this one happened to be significant with the blue in particular only on the interior pages. But yes, the printer color space, printer type, and paper quality does account for the difference in vibrancy between the two platforms.
Very helpful as usual. From what I have learnt so far the strategy to get the widest coverage might be this : Go with IS and then KDP for softcover but don’t tick the expanded distribution on KDP. Hardcover must be with IS as KDP doesn’t do hardcover. With KDP do softcover with the max wholesale discount of 55% so you get on Amazon but do not accept returns or a discount with the IS softcover. Does this sound like a good idea or am I missing or misunderstood something? Thanks.
"Go with IS and then KDP for softcover but don’t tick the expanded distribution on KDP." Yes, this is what I do. "Hardcover must be with IS as KDP doesn’t do hardcover." Absolutely correct. "With KDP do softcover with the max wholesale discount of 55% so you get on Amazon but do not accept returns or a discount with the IS softcover." The wholesale discount will be through IngramSpark, I would advise anywhere between 35-55%, and I do accept returns through IS but the wholesale discount and returns are completely up to you depending on your book price and desired profit.
@@BethanyStahl Thanks for the reply. But isn't there some sort of conflict where KDP won't print on demand if Ingramspark books are in their stock? They wait until those books are sold? Just trying to clarify a situation I've heard.
@@alanlee9880 If the customer orders from Amazon, they should fulfill themselves first. If Amazon gets behind or overrun, they do outsource to IngramSpark to fulfill orders as well. KDP should always print on demand first, though strange things have happened like here (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MKAovDyOWdM.html) but overall they do work together seamlessly (at least from the customer's end).
At time stamp 2:20 the book you have in hand what size is that?. I'm thinking of going with KDP but I'm not sure which format to use. I would like to use a format that's easy for hardcover and ebook, HELP! lol.
@@Pmason718 It is a personal preference. I personally prefer the square size for a younger audience, but it is completely up to you and the vision you have for your book :)
@@BethanyStahl Ok thank you very much for answering all of my questions I’m still deciding 🙁 I’m fan of landscape. What trim size does the ebook use? I kind of want to use a format that makes going between ebook, paper book, etc seamless.
Great video! Could I ask what dimensions you used for your book? I'm working on my first children's book right now and trying to figure out what size it should be!
Hi! I really liked the kdp version more. I am a children's book illustrator and my client (author) wants to print only a few copies for personal use. Does kdp give you the option of just printing some copies but not putting them out for sale? Thanks!
You can, but it will have a proof strip on the cover (see my hardcover here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zXccT1lun3o.html For small orders not for sale for the general public, I'd recommend using IngramSpark (see the color of this video updated here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PWx7zlYb9pI.html) If you choose the highest color, in CMYK with the highest paper thickness, it is the most comparable to KDP. To publish on IngramSpark check out this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-GzR65X0v0WA.html I hope this helps!
Hi there. Thanks for the instructions. You said you have the hardcover and a soft cover version on ingramspark. Can you explain how you upload the print version to Ingramspark? Do you start the whole process from scratch like you would when you upload the hardcover, as if it were a totally separate book? Or is there a way from your hardcover files to just have a softcover option?
Thank you for making this video, definitely helpful.. I have a silly question on what you’ve said at the end… “as long as you don’t click extended distribution on KDP…” does this mean we can’t then produce copies with Ingram spark if we choose that option on KDP?
No question is ever silly! So if you do want to do a paperback through both KDP and IS you cannot click on Expanded Distribution with KDP, since IS will be covering that option. If you decide to go with KDP only, then you can click Expanded Distribution. Either way isn't the end of the world, you can always to a "title transfer" from one platform to another, but it does take up to 30 days and you have to be the middle man between the two, in terms of communication, which can get a little messy. I hope that makes sense!
No - libraries and bookstores order them themselves, I have no part in that process. I do pay for the ISBN and do not use their free option, and I get copyright for my books after it is written and illustrated and prior to publication.
@@grandma.p No, copyright will just protect your book and prove you were the creator. Copyright is automatically obtained when you create something but I do recommend filing to have extra documentation to help in any legal cases. In terms of preventing stolen accounts, I recommend turning on all two-factor authentication log-in options and using a difficult password that you change frequently - just typical online safety.
I just posted this question on an older video.. sorry for the repeat. Thank you for all you do! Is the following correct? 1. I order my Proof. 2. Approve proof/submit changes. 3. Order ARCs. Is there a limit on how many I can buy from Ingram? 4. THEN... when I'm ready to make the book available, I click the big red "Holy Cow You're Really Doing This" icon, and it's available? In other words, after I approve the proof, Ingram still needs to wait for me to give the go ahead, correct? Thank you!!
This video may help: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-GzR65X0v0WA.html But yes, you can approve it for orders - just for yourself (to order proofs/arcs/etc.), but once you approve it for distribution it is out to the world!
@@BethanyStahl do you know if Ingram or KDP Hardcover allows you to print images/words on the inside of the cover - the page that's pasted down? Again, thank you so much for all your time and info. xo
Very informative, thank you. I have one question i'd love you to answer if possible that i can't find anywhere. If i release a printed book through KDP and ingramspark (knowing ingrampspark distributes through amazon anyway), if i sell a book on amazon, do the royalties show on KDP or ingram? Love you r work.
So, if the book on Amazon sells a KDP copy (which it normally will) you will see the royalties on your KDP Dashboard. However, if Amazon outsources to Ingram (which happens) then you will see that book sale come through on IngramSpark.
Help please!! Thanks for the helpful video. My book is already on KDP as both ebook and paperback. How can I get the paperback on Ingram? KDP says you are not allowed to have your ebook anywhere else if you choose them. So I would have to have only my paperback on Ingram. Correct? Then Q2. Can I just uncheck expended distribution on KDP and call Ingram to deal with KDP and transfer my book from them? Or do I have to upload my professionally formatted book and cover and upload them to Ingram (just like I did on KDP )as if I never published them anywhere? Basically do i need to start from zero with Ingram, although the book is already on KDP? If not please advise . Thanks so much !!!
If you do KDP select, then yes, your ebook would be exclusive. If you do not do KDP select, you can put your ebook elsewhere. For your paperback you would have to uncheck expanded distribution on KDP before uploading to IngramSpark. You would have to go through IngramSpark and upload the title, just like you did for KDP (see this video for a walkthrough: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-GzR65X0v0WA.html) but KDP and IngramSpark are two separate companies, so nothing will be transferred between them at all. If after unchecking Expanded Distribution on KDP, IngramSpark does not allow you to upload your paperback, you may have to contact IS support for paperwork to "transfer" the title, which just is a paper saying they are now the distributors for the expanded distribution books. I hope that makes sense! Best of luck!
Hello Bethany. Thank you for your wonderful videos. I have a question. I've been waiting to go live with Ingram for my picture book, but had glitches on their end. Is it ok to go ahead and go live on KDP since I've been waiting for some time? Thanks
when you made the hardback, did you need a new isbn for it vs the paperback in Ingram? Im just trying to do this now. and also, did you use the same format/file for the cover as you did for paperback? I need to chat with my cover designer if so. TY
Yes. You do need different ISBNs for each the paperback versions and the hardback. I did not use the same file as the cover, hardbacks are just a tad bit bigger, so your cover may be able to stretch, but you may need more bleed space, but I do use the same interior files.
so you can use both and get away with it? Is that because you, yourself is essentially the publisher, and then Ingram and KDP are just the printers/distributors?
Yes, you've got it! Your business would be the publisher and they are the printers (or distributor -depending which services you use). Here is an updated version of this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PWx7zlYb9pI.html
Hello Bethany - Thank you for this video, I found it quite helpful: very simple, clear and easy to understand. Question: if you have paperbacks for sale both through Ingramspark and KDP, is there a conflict there? I ask because an advisor at my printing house told me that if you load to Ingramspark, that they load to Amazon, and then if you as an author load it separately there is a sort of competition for sales created, and then Ingramspark will just lower their price to grab the sales (my paraphrase here). What is your advice? Thank you!
There is no conflict between having a paperback listed on IngramSpark and KDP. IngramSpark will distribute on Amazon but they work together. Often KDP will use Ingram when they are unable to fulfill sales and they work hand in hand (see this video for an example: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MKAovDyOWdM.html) KDP will always take the first sale unless they outsource. The only thing you can't do is use KDP Expanded Distribution and IngramSpark together for the same version, you have to leave the Expanded Distribution unchecked on KDP to use both.
My children's books are 8.5" x 8.5" which is the largest square POD will allow. Bleeds (the image goes to the very end of the page) no bleeds (the image has a white border or are just spot illustrations on white pages where color will not go to the end of the page).
Make sure you check your export settings on your .PDF and ensure it isn't compressing your file, or you may have a low res illustration in your file as well that may need to be updated, or re-exported into a different size. It will be a little bit of a game to figure out where the issue is. I'd keep playing with it and checking everything over. Wishing you the best of luck - I hope you can figure it out soon!
For the covers you can't choose weights. KDP does not have the option to choose interior page weight, and I recommend the heaviest page weight on IngramSpark for full color children's books (which is shown in this video). See an updated version of this video with more information page about weights and different examples here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PWx7zlYb9pI.html
I watched the entire video and thank you for the tip at the end I didn't know I could publish with both I guess in order to do so I would need to purchase a ISBN instead of using on from Amazon is this correct? Is is possible to have KDP for ebook, paperback and hard cover along with Ingram-spark for hardcover at the same time?
You would purchase the ISBN if you wanted to ever publish your book on another platform than Amazon. So to publish a paperback on both Ingram and KDP you would buy the ISBN so you are the owner. But yes, you are correct you can have KDP eBook, paperback on both, and hardcover on Ingram at the same time.
@@lukeunknown2626 I have both available to watch on my channel. Just go to my channel page and scroll down. There are playlists for how to publish on both KDP and IngramSpark 😊
Thanks so much for this video Bethany, very helpful! Just one quick question. If I have my ebook and paperback published with kdp (their free ISBN) with opt out for expanded distribution. Can I then publish the hardback through Ingram Spark with my own ISBN? Just the hardback, not the paperback. Would that work, because the hardback requires a different ISBN and amazon doesn't do hardbacks. Thank you!
@@BethanyStahl Amazing!! thank you so much for this! :D I think going forward I will be following your advice and purchasing all my ISBNs, and publishing with both kdp and IS. This was my first picture book and self publishing so it's all a learning experience! you videos have been so helpful along the way, thank you again!
Yes, I use both. If you do also want to use both, you won't want to click on Expanded Distribution for KDP because that will allow KDP to sell wide like Ingram does. So if you do want to let KDP distribute, then check that box. If you'd like to use it hand and hand with IngramSpark you cannot check that box, since IngramSpark will be the ones taking care of Expanded Distribution. Let me know if that makes sense!
Hi Bethany, how were you able to print hardcover with KDP for a 32 page book? I only see minimum 75 pages for hard cover as an option in my KDP account.
Thanks Jacob! I have a video up on how I have KDP hardcovers as well as an updated video comparing IngramSpark to KDP. Currently IngramSpark is the only POD distributor for low page count hard covers.
Hi there, I'm not sure if it's too late to ask a question about this video-- but when you use the IS calculator on their website, and you calculate printing charges, it adds a handling fee. I understand that this applies if I am ordering copies to be shipped to me-- but do they charge this fee for orders that are placed for one book online? (I noticed that the printing fee you mention here for the hardcover, seemed to not include this fee, so I was curious)
Hey Bethany, I'm in the process of uploading a book onto KDP and it's a childrens book with double spreads. I wondered about the trim margin in the middle of a double spread, how that would work? Would you have any advice? Thanks!
The book in the video is double spreads - just be sure to avoid putting important text/illustrations near the middle to avoid having them cut off and it works beautifully! Best of luck!
Hello! Can I ask you one thing? I want to publish on both Amazon and Ingram, and I have an ISBN just for the printable version. Can my ebook be on both platforms? On Amazon and Ingramspark? I don't have an ISBN for ebook...
So the eBook, if uploaded to IngramSpark will distribute "wide" which means all retailers (including KDP, so you wouldn't have to upload it on both). Versus just KDP which only is there platform. There are perks to both ways of uploading. With KDP you don't need an ISBN for the eBook and I believe you may need one for Ingram. I personally put my eBooks exclusive with KDP Select, so I have not done the eBook process through IngramSpark.
Hi may I ask if your KDP book interior paper is just regular paper? I just received a copy of my first book and the paper is so thin. They are not coated.
My KDP books are printed with the premium color ink on their standard 60# (100 GSM) white paper - you cannot choose a different paper type with KDP at this time.
The reach Amazon (KDP) has is near unmatched for individual customers, though publishing through IngramSpark solely will still allow your book to be shown on Amazon as well. Both platforms have great distribution, the ultimate end preference is profit/print quality. I like using them both together. I hope that helps!
Thanks for the informative vid :) One area I'm interested in for a KDP picture book is maximum page count. I know 32 is the most usual number, but can I go higher? Will KDP Kids Book allow you to go higher? Thank you
The maximum page count for an 8.5" x 8.5" color on white paper is 590! 😄 So you are free to have many more pages. Just be aware of print costs along the way.
It makes your book available to distributors so booksellers and libraries can find your book and order it. The only reason I would leave it unchecked is if you are planning to use IngramSpark which will distribute to libraries and bookstores - if not, then leave it checked. I hope that makes sense!
I use my own ISBNs. You own the content if you use your own ISBN and can publish it under your company. Also you have freedom to print it wherever you'd like, versus the free ISBN can only be used with KDP. I do not recommend using free ISBNs if you want full control of your work.
Yes, 24 pages is a minimum for KDPs premium color on white pages - so you may want to add in additional content at the end, or front matter to help elongate your book.
Nope. You can use the same ISBN for both paperbacks through IS and KDP, the versions just have to be identical and you cannot choose Expanded Distribution with KDP. I don't use an ISBN for my ebooks (KDP), I use the same ISBN for my paperback (with KDP and IS), and then I use another for my hardcover (IS). I hope that helps! 😊
@@BethanyStahl Thanks! This does help. I finished a cook book that has a lot of pictures and I would like to have it both digital and hardback. I don't mind if it is on paperback as well but I am new to the KDP or IS wave. I was approved to publish through a vanity publisher but after reading some stuff online I no longer feel comfortable going that route!
You won't hit their limit for a coloring book :) Check with KDP to see the max page count for your size and page type. But their lowest page maximum is 550 pages, so you will be good to go.
I'm looking to compare Premium colour vs standard colour on KDP. The standard colour seems to be an actual reasonable price but I'm not going to make an entire book to find out the quality is terrible. I was hoping to see that but alas you didn't say if the KDP book shown here is standard or premium. If possible (unless I missed it in the video oops) Let me know if this is premium or standard, thanks.
It wasn't an option to do standard color when I made the book, as the standard color is a newer option. The options shown here for KDP are full premium color pages on white paper, and I wouldn't recommend using standard for a children's book, as KDP states it is not intended for full-page color.
@@BethanyStahl Thanks, mine is an art included reference book not a childrens book. I need to see an example of standard colour still because if its decent I'll go for it otherwise the book will need to be black and white only with black and white art which is very different than making the full colour version oft he book. Premium colour is too cost prohibitive to be 'worth it'.
@@BethanyStahl if you have them both, then how does it work if IngramSpark also markets your book on Amazon? Also, do you recommend uploading to IngramSpark kfirst and then uploading to KDP? Is there a specific order to go in to yield the best royalties?
@@CC-br7ds I typically start with KDP, and make sure not to enable expanded distribution. They both will populate on Amazon from the same Amazon page, if you check out any of my books down below in the description, you will see there isn't a separate paperback edition or anything of that so sort since nothing is different aside from the printer. If they are ordered on Amazon then KDP will fulfill first, in times of large orders/ peak seasons, KDP may order from IngramSpark to help fulfill orders. But IngramSpark also gets orders from other retailer sites such as B&N, Target, Walmart, bookstores, schools, libraries, etc. that KDP won't fulfill so you are maximizing your reach by being on both.
