Did you know that over 6 million books were published on Amazon Kindle in 2020?
Print-on-Demand and KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) are two popular options for authors to self-publish their work.
In this article, I’m going to discuss everything you need to know about Amazon Kindle Print on Demand— from the benefits it offers, how to set up an account, what you can expect from the service, and more.
Key Takeaways
- KDP Print-on-Demand offers low-cost options for those starting out or on a tight budget.
- KDP books have a professional appearance with glossy and thick covers, vibrant colors, and crisp images.
- Issues with KDP’s Cover Creator can be resolved through reliable customer service from Amazon Kindle Print-on-Demand.
- KDP offers fast shipping options, including expedited shipping for meeting tight deadlines.
What is Amazon Kindle Print on Demand?
Amazon Kindle POD is an easy way to self-publish your own book. It offers authors the chance to create their own physical books that can be sold through Amazon’s various channels, including their vast network of retailers and online stores.
With this service, authors are able to produce high-quality hardback or paperback books with a professional look and feel in just a few days. The service also allows authors to use Stencil, Amazon’s solution for on-demand publishing, which enables them to customize the cover design of their book for free.
Additionally, they can choose from several options such as creating an Amazon Hardcover or Photo Book with the help of templates and customized tools provided by Amazon. This makes it easier for authors to get their work out into the world quickly without sacrificing quality.
Benefits of Using Amazon Kindle Print-on-Demand
- Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) offers an innovative solution for print on demand. This system not only provides authors with full control over their content, but it also eliminates the traditional upfront costs associated with book publishing.
- Furthermore, writers using KDP benefit from global distribution, making their works accessible to a wider audience. On the flip side, readers get fresh, high-quality print copies on demand, ensuring they always receive the latest version of a book.
- Lastly, Amazon’s PoD model champions an eco-friendly approach, reducing waste from unsold copies.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Professional Look | Expense |
| Integration With FBA | Limited Distribution |
| Kindle Ebook Format | Time & Effort Involved |
| Easy To Setup | Lack Of Control |
| No Inventory Required | Quality Control Issues |
How to Set Up Your Amazon Kindle Print-on-Demand Account
Setting up your Amazon Kindle POD account is an important step in launching your book. In this discussion, I will cover the essential elements that you need to consider when formatting your book, setting a price for it, and promoting it with Amazon Kindle POD.
I will provide detailed information about each of these topics so that you can make sure that all key elements are taken care of before launching your book.
Formatting Your Book for Amazon Kindle Print-on-Demand
Formatting your book for Amazon Kindle POD involves making sure it’s properly formatted before you submit it. Our Ultimate Guide provides step-by-step instructions to ensure the best results.
Here’s a look at what needs to be done:
- Integrate with Amazon FBA for Print on Demand
- Format Your Book for Amazon Kindle POD
- Create a Professional Paperback Cover Design
- Self Publish and Launch Your Book.
Following these steps will help ensure your book has all the necessary components that are essential for successful. With this knowledge, you’ll have the confidence to know that your work will be presented in its best light.
Pricing Your Book for Amazon Kindle Print-on-Demand
Deciding the right price for your book on Amazon Kindle POD can be tricky, so it’s important to consider all the factors before you set a price.
Low content books like hardcover and demand books are more expensive than those with more content. You’ll also want to explore print on demand integration with Amazon FBA to make sure your pricing options are competitive.
To get the most out of your pricing strategy, take a deep dive into Amazon’s Print Warehouse and see what they’re charging for similar titles. It’s essential to get a good understanding of their pricing structure before settling on a final figure for your own book.
With this information in hand, you can then make an informed decision about how best to price your work and maximize its potential for success.
Promoting Your Book with Amazon Kindle Print-on-Demand
Now that you’ve decided on a price for your book, it’s time to start promoting it with Amazon Kindle POD. It’s important to create an effective marketing plan so readers will know about your book. Here are some tips for getting started:
| Tip | Action | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Publicize | Build an online presence through social media and launch events | Reach potential customers and engage them in conversations about your book |
| Connect | Make connections with other authors, publishers, and influencers | Leverage their established networks to promote your work and gain recognition |
| Analyze & Adjust | Track sales data to see what is working or not working | Make changes as needed to ensure success of your marketing efforts |
What Can You Expect from Print-on-Demand and KDP?
I’m so impressed with my Amazon Kindle POD experience! The binding was well-crafted and the matte cover felt amazing.
I was pleasantly surprised that there was no page bleed or color mixing, as well as not being as expensive as I thought it would be.
My only gripe is that sometimes the cover graphic wasn’t centered properly – but overall, a great experience!
No Page Bleed or Color Mixing
- Print-on-demand with Amazon Kindle has certain limitations that you should consider when designing your book. It does not allow for page bleed or color mixing.
- This means that if you use a full bleed image on a page, the text will be cut off by the edge of the paper.
- Similarly, standard CMYK color profiles are not supported, so gradients or complex colors might not print correctly.
- To avoid any issues, use simple colors and solid backgrounds without overlapping images or graphics.
By keeping these limitations in mind, you can ensure that your final product looks just the way you envisioned it.
Binding Was Well-Crafted
You’ll be pleased to find that your book’s binding was well-crafted, so you don’t need to worry about it coming apart. The Amazon Kindle POD service offers a range of options for you to customize how your product is presented. I especially love that the cover and spine are professionally glued together with extra-durable adhesive, ensuring your book stands the test of time.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Durable Adhesive | Long Lasting Bond |
| Professional Glue | Secure Binding |
| Spine & Cover Bonded Together | Consistent Appearance |
The quality of this print on demand service is top-notch and I’m always impressed by the results. You can trust that your books will have a high-quality binding!
The Matte Cover Feels Amazing!
The matte cover feels amazing to the touch and it’s sure to add a professional look to your book! It’s made of a high-quality material for durability, and the subtle texture gives it an extra bit of sophistication.
The printing on the cover is clear and vibrant, which makes it stand out from other books. The edges are well-crafted with no visible flaws or blemishes so that your book looks perfect from all angles.
Plus, the matte finish prevents fingerprints and smudges from marring its appearance. All in all, this kindle print on demand option provides an impressive amount of quality for a great price.
Not as Expensive as I Thought it Would Be
Surprisingly, this print-on-demand option isn’t as expensive as one might think. I was a bit worried about the cost when I first heard about it, but after doing some research and comparing prices across different options, it’s clear that Amazon Kindle POD is fairly priced.
| Quality | Cost | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| High | Low | Professional look & feel |
| Moderate | Moderate | Quality cover design & format options |
| Lowest | Highest | Fast turnaround time & no setup fee for authors |
The best part? Authors can choose their own level of quality while keeping an eye on the budget. The low end option offers fast turnaround times with no setup fee, making it ideal for those who are just starting out or don’t have much of a budget to work with.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more professional, you can opt for higher quality covers and formatting options at moderate cost. It’s also worth noting that each product is printed on demand, meaning you only pay when someone purchases your book!
Cover Graphic Wasn’t Always Centered
Unfortunately, when I initially received my printed copy, the cover graphic wasn’t always centered.
It was especially noticeable on larger formats, like 8×10 print sizes. This lack of accuracy disrupted the overall appearance of the book, and detracted from its professional quality. Even worse, it made me question whether I’d get a refund or a replacement for the product.
Fortunately, Amazon Kindle Print-on-Demand services have reliable customer service that addresses these issues quickly. All I had to do was contact them online with pictures of the mis-aligned graphics and they responded almost immediately with a replacement or full refund.
Although this isn’t an ideal situation to experience when ordering books online, it’s reassuring to know that Amazon is willing to fix their mistakes at no cost to me.
KDP’s Cover Creator is a Bit…Wonky
You may find that KDP’s Cover Creator is a bit wonky.
Although it offers many options when creating your cover, the results can sometimes be inconsistent. It’s been known to crop images incorrectly or shift them off-center, making it difficult to get the desired look you’re after.
Even if you think you have everything set up properly, double-checking your work is always a good idea before submitting it for printing.
Additionally, the tool isn’t as intuitive as some other programs and may require more time setting up than expected.
You’ll need to pay attention to details like font size and color to make sure they adhere to Amazon guidelines and are formatted correctly in all sizes of the book cover image.
With this extra step in mind, using KDP’s Cover Creator requires patience and an eye for detail in order to achieve success.
Wicked Fast Shipping
KDP offers incredibly fast shipping options so you can have your print-on-demand books in no time. With Amazon’s standard shipping, I recently received my book within three days.
Even better, KDP provides expedited shipping options for an extra fee. Their two-day option means you’ll get your book even faster and with their one-day option, you’ll receive it almost immediately! It’s ideal for those times when a publisher needs to meet tight deadlines or when there is a last minute change that needs to be made.
The cost of expedited shipping is relatively low compared to the convenience and speed that comes with it. In short, KDP’s fast shipping makes printing on demand more efficient than ever before!
Overall Professional Look!
- KDP’s print-on-demand books have an incredibly professional look. The covers are glossy and thick, giving them a quality feel. Plus, the vibrant colors and crisp images make your book stand out!
- The interior pages are printed on bright white paper, which gives your book a polished look. You can choose from a variety of trim sizes to ensure that your work looks exactly how you want it to.
I’ve been really impressed with KDP’s commitment to high-quality printing. My books always come out looking great!
How Much Does it Cost to Print-on-Demand from KDP?
It costs money to use KDP’s Print-on-Demand service, but it’s a relatively small investment when you consider the potential rewards.
The cost of printing is determined by the type of book, its page count, and whether or not you choose to add color images or illustrations.
- For black and white books with up to 828 pages
- it will cost $2.85 per copy for standard paperbacks
- if you opt for a hardcover version, that jumps up to $7.95 per copy
Color images will increase the cost of both standard and hardcover titles, as well as adding additional setup fees. Additionally, there are shipping and handling fees that vary depending on your location as well as how many copies you order at once.
Amazon also offers an optional Expanded Distribution program which allows your book to be available through other retailers such as Barnes & Noble for an extra fee—but this might be worth considering if your goal is wider reach and more sales overall.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Amazon Kindle Print-on-Demand
Having discussed the cost of Amazon Kindle POD, let’s now look at some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:
Formatting
- Margins too large or small.
- Headers and footers not showing up correctly.
- Images not appearing in the correct position.
Content
- Table of contents not working properly.
- Page numbers missing or incorrect.
Printing
- Colors looking different from your original file.
- Fonts printing differently than expected.
If you experience any of these issues, don’t worry! With a few minor adjustments, you can make sure your book looks just as good in print as it does onscreen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Overall, Amazon Kindle POD is a great way to get your work out there. It’s cost effective, easy to use and set up, and offers a range of options so you can customize how you want your book printed.
Plus, if you ever need help or have any questions, KDP’s customer support team is always happy to lend a hand.
So if you’re looking for an efficient way to print your books, Amazon Kindle POD is the way to go and will have you rolling in the dough in no time!
If you have any questions or would like to read more about understanding Amazon’s POD system, or how to know ways for running a print on demand business, Kindly drop them at wlo-usa.org to get help. We’re happy to accompany all of you anytime you need.
