Publishing Hardcover Books on Amazon & Beyond: Full Comparison

About this video

In part three of a four-part proof-copy comparison, Roberts orders case laminate hardcovers (artwork printed directly on the cover, no dust jacket) of SD Houston’s ‘Blood Of The Lily’ — described as 6x9, black-and-white on cream paper, 174 pages — from KDP, IngramSpark, Lulu, Barnes & Noble Press and Blurb, comparing quality, cost and fulfillment time. Roberts says KDP pays 60% minus print fees, its proof cost $7.59 with a $12.02 total, and it arrived in 3 days, but he rates it 2 out of 5 for limited trim sizes and distribution and below-average proof quality including cover bowing and separation. He says IngramSpark reaches over 40,000 retailers and libraries, its proof cost $8.04 with a $15.46 total and took 20 days, but its quality was exceptional and the book lay flat, earning 4 out of 5. He says Lulu’s proof cost $13.77 with a $20.81 total and took 14 days, with incredible print quality earning 4 out of 5 despite cost and trim limits for global distribution. He says Barnes & Noble Press’s proof cost $8.89 with a $16.54 total, its quality was nearly identical to IngramSpark’s (which he attributes to Lightning Source fulfillment), but distribution is solely through Barnes & Noble U.S., earning 4 out of 5. He says Blurb’s proof was the most expensive at $16.91 with a $22.47 total and took 11 days, with middling quality including a spine crease that did not glue properly, earning 2 out of 5.

Key takeaways

• KDP was fastest and cheapest in this test — proof $7.59, $12.02 total, 3 days — but Roberts rated it 2 out of 5 for quality issues and limited trim sizes and distribution
• IngramSpark was slowest at 20 days ($8.04 proof, $15.46 total) but Roberts rated it 4 out of 5 for exceptional quality and reach to over 40,000 retailers and libraries
• Lulu had the highest-quality print in Roberts’s view but a $13.77 proof cost and $20.81 total, and only five of its trim sizes are eligible for global distribution; he rated it 4 out of 5
• Barnes & Noble Press ($8.89 proof, $16.54 total) matched IngramSpark’s quality in the comparison but distributes solely through Barnes & Noble U.S.; Roberts rated it 4 out of 5
• Blurb was the most expensive ($16.91 proof, $22.47 total, 11 days) and Roberts rated it 2 out of 5, citing a poorly glued spine crease and oversaturated color

Episode details: published May 28, 2023 · 19:14 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Dale L. Roberts’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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