KDP won't let you choose Standard Color for a paperback

How you'd notice this

You have a color interior and go to select Standard Color ink, but KDP won't offer it, or shows Premium Color as the only color option, even though you know your book has color pages.

Why it happens

KDP ties its color ink options to page count. Standard Color requires at least 72 pages. Premium Color requires at least 24 pages, the same as KDP's overall paperback minimum. So a color paperback under 72 pages simply isn't eligible for Standard Color, Premium Color is the only color option available between 24 and 71 pages.

How to fix it

• Why won't KDP let me choose Standard Color? Check your page count. If your color paperback is under 72 pages, choose Premium Color. Standard Color begins at 72 pages.
• If your book is under 24 pages, it's below KDP's overall paperback minimum regardless of ink type, you'll need to add pages before it can be published as a paperback at all.
• Remember Premium Color costs more to print than Standard Color, factor that into your list price and royalty math when you set pricing.