How to Order Author Copies on KDP and Lulu (Step by Step)

To order author copies, upload your print book to a print-on-demand service, then buy printed copies at the printing cost plus shipping. On Amazon KDP, you order proof copies while the paperback is still a draft and author copies once it is live. On Lulu, you can set up a print project and order copies for yourself without selling the book in any store.

This guide covers both services in order. It starts with what to prepare, then gives the exact steps for each, then explains how to choose between them.

What you need before ordering author copies

Get these ready before you open either dashboard. Most failed or delayed orders come from a missing file or a cover sized for the wrong page count.

• A print-ready interior PDF at your chosen trim size, with the correct margins. If you are unsure what that means, see interior PDF.
• A full-wrap cover PDF (back, spine and front in one file) sized for your exact page count. KDP and Lulu each calculate the spine from your page count and paper type, so a cover built for one may not fit the other.
• Your final page count, because it sets the spine width and the printing cost. The spine width calculator gives you a starting figure, but always match the template from the service you print with.
• An account with KDP (which uses your Amazon login at checkout) or with Lulu.
• A payment method and a shipping address in a country the service ships to.
• An ISBN, if you need one. KDP paperbacks need an ISBN. You can use KDP's free one or your own. On Lulu, an ISBN is optional when you only print copies for yourself.

If you wrote your book in Inkora, you can export the print-ready interior PDF at eight trim sizes and a full-wrap cover PDF with the spine width calculated from your page count. You still upload these files to KDP or Lulu yourself.

The difference between a proof copy and an author copy

The two terms are often mixed up, and they behave differently on KDP.

A proof copy is a test print you order to check your book before or around release. On KDP, proof copies carry a "Not for Resale" marking on the cover. You can order them while your paperback is still a draft.

An author copy is a finished copy of your published book, printed the same way a customer's copy would be. You buy it at printing cost and can give it away or sell it yourself, for example at events or to local shops. On KDP, author copies are only available once the paperback is published.

Lulu does not draw such a sharp line. You order copies of your project. Most authors treat the first single copy as their proof and order larger quantities once they are happy with it.

How to order a KDP proof copy

Order a proof before you click publish. It is the only reliable way to see how the cover colors, margins and paper look in print. The full upload process is covered in how to publish a paperback on KDP. These steps assume your files are already uploaded.

Step 1: Finish the Paperback Content page

In your KDP Bookshelf, open the paperback draft. Upload your interior and cover, choose your trim size, paper and ink options, then run the online previewer. KDP will not let you request a proof until the previewer has approved the files.

Step 2: Request the printed proof

KDP offers a "Request printed proof" option for draft paperbacks, both on the content page and in the "…" menu next to the paperback on your Bookshelf. Choose the quantity and the Amazon marketplace you want it shipped from. Pick the marketplace closest to where you live to keep shipping costs and time down. KDP limits how many proofs you can order at once, so check the current limit on that screen.

Step 3: Check out through Amazon

KDP sends the proof to your Amazon cart for that marketplace, usually with an email link. Open the cart, confirm the quantity and address, and pay. You are charged the printing cost plus shipping and any applicable taxes. The cart item may not stay there indefinitely, so complete checkout soon after requesting.

Step 4: Review the proof carefully

When it arrives, check:

• Cover colors, sharpness and whether text sits safely away from the edges
• Spine text alignment
• Margins, especially the inside (gutter) margin
• Page numbers, headers and chapter starts
• Any images or special characters

If you find problems, fix your files, upload them again, and order another proof if the changes were significant.

How to order KDP author copies

Once your paperback is live on Amazon, you can order finished copies.

Step 1: Wait until the paperback is live

KDP only offers author copies for published paperbacks. After you click publish, the status shows as in review. Wait until it changes to live.

Step 2: Open "Order author copies"

On your Bookshelf, click the "…" button next to the paperback and choose "Order author copies." Enter the quantity and pick the marketplace. As with proofs, KDP sets a maximum per order and supports author copies only in certain marketplaces. Check both on the order screen.

Step 3: Review the cost

KDP shows the printing cost per copy before you continue. Shipping and taxes are added at Amazon checkout. Printing cost depends on page count, ink type and trim size, so a longer or color book costs more per copy.

Step 4: Check out and track the order

Complete checkout in your Amazon cart. Author copy orders can take longer to ship than regular Amazon orders, so order well ahead of any launch event. Your Amazon order history shows the delivery estimate.

For an overview of KDP's formats, files and settings, see the Amazon KDP publishing guide.

How to order author copies from Lulu

Lulu is a print-on-demand service you can use purely to print books for yourself. The book does not have to be listed for sale anywhere. That makes it useful for family histories, gift editions, workshop handouts or copies of a book you sell through KDP but want printed with different options.

Step 1: Create a print book project

Log in to Lulu and start a new print book. Enter the title and author name. When asked whether you want to sell or distribute the book, you can keep it private if you only want copies for yourself.

Step 2: Choose an ISBN option

For copies you only print for yourself, an ISBN is optional. If you plan to sell the Lulu edition in stores, you will need one. Do not reuse a free KDP ISBN on Lulu, because those are tied to KDP. See do I need an ISBN if you are unsure.

Step 3: Upload your interior PDF

Upload the interior and choose the trim size, binding, paper and ink type. Lulu checks the file and flags problems such as missing fonts or images that run outside the printable area. Your trim size must match the PDF's page size.

Step 4: Build or upload the cover

Lulu sizes the cover for your page count and options. It shows the exact dimensions and offers a template. If you upload your own full-wrap PDF, make sure it matches Lulu's dimensions, not KDP's. The spine width can differ between services even for the same book.

Step 5: Review and order copies

Once the files pass review, order copies for yourself. Lulu shows the print cost per copy, and shipping is added at checkout. You pay Lulu's print and shipping costs on each order. There is no royalty involved, because you are the customer.

Step 6: Order one copy first

Even on Lulu, order a single copy before a large batch. Treat it as your proof. Once you approve it, order the full quantity.

Inkora's Publishing Hub includes Lulu print orders for proofs and author copies, along with step-by-step checklists for KDP paperbacks. You can find details on the Lulu publishing page.

KDP or Lulu: choosing the right service

Both print on demand, so neither requires you to buy stock up front. The right choice depends on where your book sells and what you need the copies for.

Situation	Better fit	Why
Checking a paperback before publishing on Amazon	KDP proof	It is printed from the same files and settings Amazon customers will get
Copies of your Amazon paperback for events or giveaways	KDP author copies	They match the retail edition exactly
Book is not published anywhere, copies for family or a group	Lulu	No store listing or ISBN needed
You want binding or format options KDP does not offer for your book	Lulu	Lulu offers a different range of print options. Compare current options on each site
Shipping to a country KDP author copies do not cover	Lulu (check coverage)	Shipping coverage differs. Confirm your country at checkout
You need copies before the KDP paperback is live and without "Not for Resale" markings	Lulu	KDP proofs carry the marking, and author copies require a live book

Many authors use both. They use KDP proofs and author copies for the retail edition, and Lulu for special editions or private print runs. If you also distribute through IngramSpark, KDP vs IngramSpark explains how that option compares.

Common problems and fixes

The "Order author copies" option is missing on KDP. The paperback is probably not live yet, or you are looking at the ebook rather than the paperback. Check the status on your Bookshelf. Use "Request printed proof" while it is still in draft or review.

KDP won't let me request a proof. The previewer has not approved your files, or required fields on the content page are incomplete. Run the previewer again, fix any flagged issues, and save.

The cover is rejected because of the spine or size. Your page count changed after you made the cover, or the cover was built for a different service. Get the current template from the service you are printing with and rebuild the cover to its dimensions.

Text is too close to the inside edge. The gutter margin is too small for your page count. Thicker books need a wider inside margin. Increase it in your interior file, export a new PDF, and order another proof.

The colors look darker than on screen. Print colors usually look different from screen colors. Brighten the cover image slightly, avoid very dark backgrounds with fine detail, and order another proof to compare.

The proof or author copy order expired in the cart. Request the copies again from your Bookshelf and complete checkout straight away.

The author copies show an old version. If you updated your files after the book went live, the changes have to go through review again. Wait until the new version is live before ordering more copies.

The order is taking too long. Print-on-demand orders include printing time on top of shipping. For an event, order several weeks ahead. If you are short on time, choose a faster shipping option at checkout where one is offered.

A copy arrived damaged or misprinted. Contact the support team for the service you ordered from, with photos of the problem. KDP and Lulu each have their own process for reprints or refunds on defective copies.

Ordering author copies comes down to having correct print files and choosing the right service. Use KDP proofs and author copies when your book sells on Amazon, and Lulu when you want private copies or a separate print edition. Always order one copy first, check it closely, and only then order in bulk.