IngramSpark

As an author who chooses to self-publish, you quickly learn that there are many ways to print and distribute your books. There is no single correct path—each author selects the approach that aligns best with their goals, resources, and comfort level. Today, I wanted to explain what IngramSpark is and why many independent authors choose to place their books on this platform.

A common misconception in self-publishing is the idea that platforms like Amazon or IngramSpark are the “publishers.” In reality, when you independently publish your book, you are the publisher. Whether you publish under your own name, a custom imprint, or an LLC, you are responsible for overseeing the entire publishing process.

One of the key decisions you face as an indie author is determining how and where your book will be printed, and how it will reach readers. Many authors choose Amazon’s KDP because it integrates smoothly with Amazon’s retail store. Others use platforms like IngramSpark or Lulu to support additional print formats and expanded distribution. Some authors prefer to manage printing themselves, using offset printers, often overseas, and sell directly through their website and at events. Others may purchase books in bulk (often offset), but ship them to Amazon to sell via fulfillment programs. There are many valid approaches, and the right choice depends entirely on your goals.

If one of your goals is for your book to be widely available, in bookstores, libraries, schools, and global markets, then you will need a distribution system that supports that level of reach. This is where IngramSpark becomes an appealing option.

What Is IngramSpark?

IngramSpark is a print-on-demand and distribution management platform created for indie authors, micro-presses, and small publishers. It allows you to upload your book files, set pricing and metadata, choose wholesale discounts and returnability, review proofs, approve print quality, and distribute your book to retailers and institutions. IngramSpark manages the production and logistical side, while you maintain full control of your intellectual property and publisher decisions.

When your book is published through IngramSpark, it enters the larger Ingram Content Group system, which is one of the world’s largest wholesale book distributors. This means that bookstores, libraries, and schools can look up and order your book through the same catalog they already use to source titles.

 Global Distribution

Global distribution is what allows your book to be available beyond Amazon and into the hands of bookstores, libraries, and educational institutions around the world. When activated, your book becomes discoverable and orderable in the catalogs that professionals use to source new titles.

Although global distribution does not guarantee sales, it significantly increases visibility and accessibility, which can lead to broader reach.

 Why Wholesale Discounts Matter

Bookstores and libraries expect a wholesale discount when purchasing titles from distributors. A 40% discount is generally considered the minimum, though 55% is more typical for traditional retailers. Offering these discounts usually means that your royalties on these sales will be lower than what you might earn through sales to consumers. The tradeoff, however, is improved discoverability and access to markets you otherwise may not reach.

Returnability

Returnability is another factor that affects whether bookstores will carry a title. Many retailers are unwilling to take on new books unless they can return unsold copies.  

As the publisher, you choose whether your book is returnable. Opting out of returns reduces your financial risk, but may make your book too large a risk for some institutions. Allowing returns is a risk to you, as it opens up the possibility to receiving returns which are not in sellable condition, and having to pay the shipping costs to return those to you.  Because of the extra associated costs, some authors choose to allow returns but request that returned copies be destroyed rather than shipped back, which avoids additional shipping charges.

Final Thoughts

Navigating printing and distribution can feel overwhelming when you are new to self-publishing, and there are many valid paths for authors to take. Understanding how IngramSpark fits into the publishing ecosystem can help you make informed decisions about how you want your books to be produced and where you want them to be available. Hopefully, this overview provides clarity for authors considering whether IngramSpark aligns with their publishing goals.

Dr. Gal Chivvis