Publish Setup · IngramSpark Topic 1 of 8
Creating Your IngramSpark Account
What to do
Create your IngramSpark account, the platform you'd use to print and distribute your book more widely than KDP alone reaches, to other online retailers, physical bookstores, and libraries.
Why it matters
IngramSpark is a separate company from Amazon with its own account, its own account fees for some titles, and its own screens. Understanding that up front avoids the most common surprise for authors coming from KDP: unlike KDP, IngramSpark has historically charged a per-title setup fee, so budget for it rather than assuming publishing is free the way it is on KDP.
Step-by-step
- Go to ingramspark.com and create an account with your name, address, and payment details.
- Be aware of the title setup fee before you start a title. IngramSpark's fees have changed over time and occasionally been waived as a promotion, so check the current price sheet on ingramspark.com directly rather than assuming a number from an older article, but plan for a real per-title charge (historically in the neighborhood of tens of dollars per print title, less for ebook-only) as the normal case.
- IngramSpark also charges a separate fee for revisions after a title is set up, so try to have your files and details finalized before you start, rather than planning to fix things after submitting.
- You do not need to use IngramSpark at all to publish your book, it's entirely optional and most self-publishers start with KDP alone. Many add IngramSpark later, once a book is already selling and they specifically want wider retail or library reach, or a hardcover edition (KDP added hardcover options later, but IngramSpark has long supported hardcover, including case laminate and dust jacket).
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming account creation and title setup are free on IngramSpark the same way they are on KDP, they generally aren't, budget for the setup fee before you start.
- Starting a title before your files and metadata are fully finalized, then paying a separate revision fee to fix something you could have gotten right the first time.
Completion checklist
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Troubleshooting
Do I need IngramSpark to publish my book?
No. KDP alone is a complete path to getting your book live and for sale, including on Amazon and, if you opt in, through Expanded Distribution. IngramSpark is worth adding later if you specifically want deeper bookstore and library reach, or a hardcover edition, beyond what KDP alone offers.
Is the title setup fee really different from KDP?
Yes, this is one of the clearest differences between the two platforms. Creating a KDP account and publishing through it costs nothing up front; KDP earns money only from its share of each sale. IngramSpark has historically charged a fee to set up each individual title (and another smaller fee for each revision after that), on top of eventually taking its own share of each sale. Always confirm the current fee on IngramSpark's own pricing page before starting, since it has changed and occasionally been discounted or waived as a promotion.