The best reason for using either CreateSpace (now KDP) or IngramSpark is you have a built-in distribution network with both services. CreateSpace is a direct market to Amazon and IngramSpark is a market to Amazon and other book retailers. We typically do not recommend using CreateSpace’s Expanded Distribution. The wholesale discount is so high that you will need to price your book at a high price in order to make any money.
If you choose a printer that does not have a built-in distribution network, you need to figure out how you are going to distribute your book. Are you going to offer it for sale on your own website and handle the fulfillment yourself? Or, are you going to use a service, such as Amazon Advantage?
When deciding which printer to use, take a look at your goal and budget.
Just a few books, please.
If your goal is to leave a legacy behind and you only want a few books printed for your family members or friends, go with CreateSpace. They provide an ISBN and you can choose not to publish your book on Amazon and only order books to have shipped to you directly from CreateSpace.
I will order and sell/give away books myself.
If the goal of your book is a marketing tool for business and you plan on giving away or having the books for sale at certain functions, CreateSpace or IngramSpark are both good options.
I have a limited budget.
No matter what your goal is, if you have a small budget, your best option is CreateSpace. They do not charge title setup fees, book printing prices are cheaper, and they provide ISBNs.
I plan to sell a large volume of books.
If you know you will be able to sell a large volume of books, then IngramSpark will be your best option. You are offered a larger distribution network with a lower wholesale discount. You can offer a wholesale discount at 30% with IngramSpark. For the same distribution on CreateSpace, the wholesale discount is 60%.
I want to make money and have the book available everywhere.
If your goal is to make money and have your book available everywhere possible, using a CreateSpace and IngramSpark combination is what we recommend. Set up your book on CreateSpace using their Standard Distribution (not Expanded!) using your own ISBN and then use IngramSpark for their global book distribution using the same ISBN.
I need a high-quality book printed.
If your book demands high-quality, such as a photography book, going with an offset printer will be your best option. You will then need to figure out distribution options.
A word on quality. In our opinion, CreateSpace and IngramSpark books are equal in quality and are comparable to most novels and nonfiction books on the market. You can order samples from both companies to compare for yourself.
Still confused? Jera Publishing can help you decide what path you should take. View our consulting services.
Writing the book is only the beginning. There are so many decisions a self-published author needs to make. Thanks for the clear, concise article
Thank you so much for this breakdown Kimberley! It’s so confusing for fledgling writers trying to decide on the best option for publishing, so this is a great help.
Great comparison. There are so many options, and it’s so confusing and ever changing. I like it when people can be honest about the options. And thank you for contributing to the #AuthorToolboxBlogHop!
Well said. A lot of author services companies try and sell unwary authors all manner of unnecessary printing packages. It’s good to see a realistic take on the subject.
This is great advice and something I will use whenever I get around to publishing my book (if I ever do!)
Thanks for the breakdown. Self-published authors need this kind of information.
Thanks for this breakdown. The day when I need to make the printer decision looms in the not-too-distant future. I know where to find the info I need for the decision!
You may also find my Self-Publishing Short video on the differences between IngramSpark and CreateSpace helpful: https://youtu.be/cXocjSk9ow4.
I recently read another article claiming that CreateSpace made a quality product for her poetry collection, and I ordered a kid’s book made by CreateSpace as well. In my opinion it was perfectly fine, but it lacked a bit of the heaviness that you expect from traditionally published kid’s books. Mostly, I think only hardcore readers would notice the difference, though! http://micascottikole.com/2017/04/18/writing-transitions/
Color books get a little tricky with Print-On-Demand. It is hard to match the color quality of offset printing and CreateSpace does not offer hardcovers or case wrap. IngramSpark does a little better there as they do offer case wrap which makes for a more durable children’s book.
Thanks for sharing this. It’s great to learn about why one might choose a printer versus another. I use createspace, but only because that’s how I get my books through my publisher. This will come in handy it I decide to self-publish my next book.
Thanks for the straightforward breakdown of two self-publishing options. A friend of mine recently decided to go with Gumroad. Have you heard of them or used them before?
Great resource for self-publishing authors! Budgets are such a huge concern, it’s awesome to have reliable resources for planning! 😀