How to publish a book on IngramSpark

IngramSpark is the self-publishing arm of Ingram, the book wholesaler that supplies bookstores, libraries and online retailers. Publishing a print edition there makes it orderable by more than 40,000 retailers. It is more demanding than KDP: you need your own ISBN and files built to IngramSpark's own cover template.

Is IngramSpark right for your book?

Authors who want their paperback or hardcover orderable by independent bookstores and libraries.
Not a replacement for KDP on Amazon for most authors — many use KDP for Amazon and IngramSpark for everything else.

IngramSpark at a glance

Print (and eBook) distribution to 40,000+ bookstores, libraries and online retailers.

Formats accepted: PDF (PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-3 preferred), EPUB
Cover: Full-wrap PDF built on IngramSpark's own cover template (their spine width and barcode position can differ from KDP's).
ISBN: Required — your own ISBN for each format (a free KDP ISBN can't be used).
Royalty: List price × (1 − wholesale discount 30–55%) − printing cost (estimate — use IngramSpark's calculator).

Files you need to upload

Interior file
Interior PDF — Print-ready, trim-sized, fonts embedded, no bleed
Cover file
Print cover PDF — Full wrap: back, spine and front with 0.125" bleed
eBook file (if adding eBook)(optional)
EPUB ebook — Reflowable EPUB 3 manuscript
Metadata reference(optional)
ONIX 3.0 metadata — Industry-standard metadata feed for distributors

Step by step

Steps

1
Open IngramSpark and sign in
2
Add a New Title → Print (and eBook)
3
Title information
Title, subtitle, contributors, language.
4
Description, subjects, keywords, audience
BISAC subjects and keywords below.
5
Print format
Trim size, black & white interior, paper (crème/white), binding (paperback), laminate (matte/gloss).
6
ISBN & price
Your ISBN, list price, wholesale discount and returns policy.
7
Upload interior & cover PDFs
Use IngramSpark's cover template to verify the spine.
8
Approve the eProof
9
Submit / publish
10
Record the ISBN & a retailer link here

Before you publish

Generate a cover template in IngramSpark for your ISBN and page count and compare the spine width with ours before uploading.
IngramSpark's validator prefers PDF/X files; our PDFs embed all fonts and usually pass, but follow any conversion it asks for.
If you also use KDP Expanded Distribution, don't enable it for the same ISBN.

Open IngramSpark

IngramSpark: frequently asked questions

Can I use my free KDP ISBN on IngramSpark?+

No. IngramSpark needs your own ISBN for each format; a free KDP ISBN can only be used on KDP.

Can I use KDP Expanded Distribution and IngramSpark together?+

Not for the same ISBN. If you publish the paperback on IngramSpark, don't enable KDP Expanded Distribution for that ISBN.

How are IngramSpark royalties calculated?+

List price × (1 − the wholesale discount you set, typically 30–55%) − printing cost. Use IngramSpark's own calculator for exact numbers.

Will my spine width match IngramSpark's template?+

Not always — IngramSpark's spine width and barcode position can differ from KDP's. Generate a template for your ISBN and page count in IngramSpark and compare it before uploading.

Get IngramSpark-ready files from one idea

Inkora writes your book, designs the cover and exports exactly the files listed above — then tracks this checklist for you in its Publishing Hub.

Start your book free