IngramSpark or Amazon?

Who is IngramSpark?

 IngramSpark's are a global network that distributes books, usually for self-published authors. They are well-established and have been operating for around fifty years. They are the largest book distributor in the world, serving over 39,000 book retailers worldwide, both shopfront and online. 

So, in a sense, it is a very big deal for many authors and publishers to be locked into publishing This means that all self-published authors should have IngramSpark as a major consideration for their sales outlets.

Ingram’s channel is to operate to sell books from publishing houses to retailers, ( they also own the world’s  advanced print-on-demand company, Lightning Source,)

Since books uploaded through IngramSpark are entered into the same database as frontlist titles from established publishers, retailers can search for and order these books as they would any other distributed title. When such orders are placed, your book is printed-on-demand and shipped to the retailer to be sold in bookstores.

 What is IngramSpark's Print on Demand?

 Print on Demand is exactly as it sounds, as an order is placed it prints off one copy per order, this way there is never a surplus of prints made.

POD is an efficient, space-saving solution for many authors since there is no risk involved in having to pay for books to be printed upfront, without any guarantee that they will be purchased.

IngramSpark has become one of the main go-to companies for self-published authors in need of POD services to print and distribute paperbacks and hardcover books.

We will take a look at these questions in this IngramSpark review, and the overall breakdown of the system they use to print and distribute books for authors.

 What services does IngramSpark offer?

IngramSpark is not an all-in-one self-publishing company. It handles publishing, specific to its book distribution network.

It is also not a company that offers done-for-you services to publish your book, so if this is the type of company you're in need of, then IngramSpark might not be for you.

How to Publish a Book

IngramSpark's services come in handy when you're ready to publish a book. If you need to write a book or are still in the production phases of editing and cover design, you won't be able to use IngramSpark services quite yet.

Here are the services offered by IngramSpark:

1.      Print on Demand services for print books

2.      Customized printing options for print books (trim size, binding, paper, etc.)

3.      Self-publishing service to IngramSpark's platform

4.      Book distribution to global partners (40,000 retailers and libraries)

5.      Available distribution to Amazon, Apple, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble (you must meet certain criteria for Amazon and Apple)

6.      Customer support via email during business hours

7.      Free resources such as a blog, self-publishing courses, podcast, guide, and expert community

 Here's how IngramSpark publishing works:

1.      First off you need your own ISBN, (Theses can be bought off Bowker in the U.S. and Neilsen in the UK)

2.      You format your book and cover, similar to Amazon, but not quite as user-friendly.

3.      Set up your IngramSpark account

4.      Select the service you require for publishing

5.      Publish your book on IngramSpark

6.      The book can then be distributed to retailers and libraries

7.      Manage your book files, and track sales and orders

A massive benefit to IngramSpark is its Global Distribution Network, which helps you get your book into retailers and libraries that other self-publishing platforms don't necessarily have access to.

 

When the book is ready for market.

1.      Publish your book on IngramSpark's platform.

2.      IngramSpark links your book to the distribution network, which includes access to bookstores, online stores, retailers, libraries, and universities.

3.      Retailer orders your book through IngramSpark's distribution channel.

4.      IngramSpark prints physical book orders and ships them to the customer, retailer, or library.

5.      You receive book royalty payments per book sold.

 

Where does IngramSpark distribute?

IngramSpark has a database of around 40,000 retailers, libraries, schools, and universities, according to its website.

With print book distribution partners and online distribution partners, IngramSpark has a select network.IngramSpark Review: Global Connect

IngramSpark's Global Connect is a model for wide distribution. It has gained a reputation for leading the industry when it comes to its Global Connect Program. 

How effective is this system, and is it better than Kindle Direct Publishing? Let's take a look!

What is the Global Connect Program?

The Global Connect Program enables you, as an author, to get your book into channels that are otherwise not as readily available through Amazon.

This is a major benefit of IngramSpark.

Here is the US global market:

 How much does IngramSpark cost?

The cost  is $49 to publish both a print AND an eBook, whereas it is $49 to publish a print book only and $49 to publish an eBook only.

If you go through KDP for your publishing, as most authors know, it is free.

Amazon makes its money from the royalties accrued through book sales. 

 What fee does IngramSpark take?

But IngramSpark does charge a fee. It is $49.00 per title. In addition, should you want to make changes it could cost another painful $25.00 each time, and, you’d have to go through the publishing setup again. ( The point here is to get it right the first time every time!

IngramSpark printing fees can be broken down as follows:

1.      Book printing, which depends on a variety of factors such as your book's trim size, page count, paper quality, color options, binding, and more.

2.      Handling fee, which is basically a service fee and can change depending on the number of books and the service level offered. If you order more books, the service fee appears to go down. For example, for one book the handling fee was $1.99, which can get pricier if you print only one book at a time. But if you order 1000 books, the handling fee is only $4.99.

3.      Shipping fee, which will change according to your shipping location, and shipping options. If you are shipping large quantities of your book, expect shipping fees to be more expensive.

IngramSpark offers a helpful printing calculator to help you determine the cost of IngramSpark's printing services.

Related: Word and Page Count Calculator

Reasons to use IngramSpark

But, how good is this company? What makes it different from KDP? Why would you publish with them and not Amazon? Or, do you use both sites together?

If you want to get your books into the bookstores like Barnes and Noble, you need to go through a publishing service like IngramSpark.

This is because IngramSpark's distribution service allows distributors (like bookstores and retailers) to order your book directly through the IngramSpark publishing platform.

In fact, most bookstores will not carry your book unless you are published through IngramSpark.

Here are some reasons to publish with IngramSpark: 

1.      Global distribution. Get your book into libraries, bookstores, retailers, and universities across the IngramSpark distribution network all over the world.

2. High-quality book printing options, such as for hardcover printing and other specialty printing options.

3.      Variety of book type and size choices, including trim, special sizing, binding, cover options, spine, and paper quality.

4.      Convenience. Do you want to use one single publishing platform to distribute your book across multiple channels? If so, then IngramSpark is convenient, but this convenience does cost.

If you’re leaning towards publishing solely with Amazon and having your book exclusive on the KDP platform, there are a few disadvantages to be aware of. 

Here are some disadvantages to solely publishing with Amazon:

1.      Amazon is exclusive. Amazon is not concerned with your book getting into libraries or bookshops. What is offered on Amazon, stays on Amazon

2.      Amazon is named as your book publisher if you use their free ISBN. When you publish through other platforms like IngramSpark, you have your own ISBN registered in your name.

So, do you have to publish through IngramSpark? The answer is: No. For many self-publishers, we just want a copy of our book in hand, and Amazon does just that for a very cost-effective price.

However, if you’d like to build a book business and make being an author a career for yourself, you should expand your publishing outside of Amazon.

 

IngramSpark vs KDP at a glance

The crunch question is always, what are the differences between Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark? Well lets consider it for a few moments.

two?

 Overview of KDP v IngramSpark

Feature	KDP	IngramSpark
Uploading Process	Easy	Difficult
Customer Email Support	Fast [Less than 24 hrs]	Good [usually within 24 hrs]
Publishing Cost	$0	$49
Revisions	Free, Unlimited	$25 each revision
Hardcover	No	Yes
Free ISBN	Yes	No
Publishing Cost B+W	$4.30	$4.66
Option for returns	No	Yes
Availability to Bookstores and Libraries	Limited	Yes

Here are the biggest differences between IngramSpark and KDP:

·         The cost of color print books. Amazon is more expensive.

·         IngramSpark charges a fee for revisions. This could be expensive if you are an author that updates content frequently.

·         IngramSpark formatting is difficult. This turns a lot of self-publishers away.

·         Amazon does NOT offer hardcover book printing.

·         Amazon Support is top notch. Representatives are clear in their response to customer questions.

·         IngramSpark’s website is frustrating with its outdated interface.

IngramSpark and KDP Print: Can I publish my print book with both?

An option many publishers use is to hook up IngramSpark with KDP and publish on both platforms. 

When you are setting up your book you can certainly combine the two POD services and get the best of both worlds. 

Note: If you go this route and publish on both, be sure to opt out of the expanded distribution option with Kindle. 

Setting Up Your Account

Here’s what you will need to set up your book with IngramSpark:

1.      Your own ISBN

2.      Book cover and interior files

3.      Email address

4.      Payment method

5.      A lot of patience. The learning curve can be challenging and time-consuming.

How It Works

There is a 35-page IngramSpark file creation guide that I would recommend you download before you even think about setting anything up. If it’s thirty-five pages to set up its not a walk in the park!

 Prepare Yourself

Before you begin, it is important that you know a few things about working with the IngramSpark website: it is very different from that of Amazon. 

By that I mean, it is not as easy to work with, for several reasons.

First of all, your progress may [or may not] save as you place your details into the boxes. The site will time out as well if you step away from the computer for a while, so if you don’t save what you have put into the pages, you could come back and have to start over again.

 The positives to IngramSpark are:

1.      High quality printing. IngramSpark uses the best technology for printing. The quality of the print books are possibly the best in the industry, and is particularly good if you are putting illustrations in your book!

2.      Bulk discounts. IngramSpark offers higher discounts for large bulk purchases.

3.      Global distribution. IngramSpark has a larger distribution network than any of its competitors.

4.      Email support. Very good email response time, usually within 24 hours

5.      Convenient all-in-one platform with publishing, distributing, and advanced dashboard logistics.

 The downsides could be:

      Expensive printing costs. Especially true if printing hardcover books.

2.    Additional fees add up. Set up fee [$49] and recurring fees for revisions [$25].

3.    Extensive learning curve. Yes, there is a lot to know in order to publish successfully with IS. Remember that 35-page report you downloaded?

4.      Website interface. While the dashboard is robust, it can be confusing to navigate. Remember to save your book details in case they get wiped out if the page refreshes.

5.      Formatting requirements are heavy. This can be time-consuming getting everything up to IngramSpark's standards.

 

Strongly consider IngramSpark IngramSpark if…

·     You need high-quality specialty printing for hardcover books.

·     You need the convenience of an all-in-one platform that will handle your distribution.

·     You want your book in wider distribution channels like libraries and retailers.

If none of the above, you are just as well to go with Amazon’s printing services, save some money and be able to publish relatively pain-free without the hassle of the many formatting regulations IngramSpark requires.

Creating and setting up your book through IngramSpark can be a cumbersome process. 

There is a learning curve here that many authors don’t have the patience for. If you are used to working with KDP Print for your printing options, it is understandable why IngramSpark is not in favour of many writers.

 

Strongly consider NOT using IngramSpark if…

·     Your eBook is already on Amazon. This is considered an “existing agreement” and you will need to suspend any Amazon KDP Select activity for a 90-day exclusivity period.

·     You don't have the time or patience to learn the platform.

·     You want to save money on printing and service fees and don't need any specialty printing services or hardcover printing.

·     You simply want to publish your book and aren't concerned with global distribution.

.To summarise

IngramSpark should be considered as an outlet for the self-published author but must be thought through.

At the very least, give IngramSpark a chance and set up your title in print form, even if you choose to ultimately not publish with them.