kdp-publishing

name	kdp-publishing
description	Amazon KDP self-publishing specs — cover requirements, interior formatting, spine formulas, ink options, and pricing tiers
lastReviewed	2026-04-30T00:00:00.000Z

Domain Knowledge: Amazon KDP Self-Publishing

Source: Validated from publishing Alex in Wonderland (Amazon KDP, February 21, 2026) Applies to: Any book published via Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing Last verified: February 21, 2026

Live Reference: Alex in Wonderland (Published February 21, 2026)

Field	Value
Title	Alex in Wonderland: A Detective Mystery Adventure
Series	Alex Finch Detective Series, Book 1
Author	(your name)
ISBN	979-8-24895072-0 (KDP free ISBN, 979-8 prefix)
Kindle ASIN	B0GPCV6V6R — amazon.com/dp/B0GPCV6V6R
Paperback ASIN	B0GPJ4HP27 — amazon.com/dp/B0GPJ4HP27
eBook price	$5.00 (qualifies for 70% royalty tier)
Paperback price	$28.00
KDP Select	Enrolled (eBook)
Status	Both formats: Live
Submitted	February 21, 2026

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Platform Overview

Amazon KDP offers free print-on-demand publishing of eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers at kdp.amazon.com. No upfront costs. Royalties paid 60 days after month-end threshold ($100).

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Supported Formats

Format	Pages	Notes
Kindle eBook	—	Reflowable; no ISBN required
Paperback (POD)	24–828	Matte or glossy cover
Hardcover (POD)	75–550	Not eligible for Expanded Distribution

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Interior Specifications (6×9 Paperback)

Element	Requirement
Margins	Min 0.375" inside, 0.25" outside
Bleed	0.125" if images extend to edge
Image resolution	300 DPI minimum (critical)
Image color mode	CMYK for print; RGB for eBook
Max file size	650 MB

Ink Options

Option	Use case	Cost/page (US)
Black Ink	B&W illustrations only	$0.012
Standard Color	Budget color (72–600 pages)	$0.0255
Premium Color	Best quality	$0.065

Recommendation for illustrated books: Standard Color for cost-effective full-color chapter banners.

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Cover Specifications

Element	Requirement
File type	Single PDF (front + spine + back wrap)
Resolution	300 DPI minimum
Color mode	CMYK
Bleed	0.125" on all outside edges
Cover finish	Glossy recommended for children's/illustrated books
eBook cover	2560 × 1600 px ideal; JPEG or TIFF; RGB

Spine Width Formula (6×9)

Black ink/white paper:   page_count × 0.002252"
Premium color/white:     page_count × 0.002347"

Example (280 pages, standard color): ~0.63–0.66"

Tool: Use KDP Cover Calculator at kdp.amazon.com/cover-calculator for exact template.

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ISBN Strategy

Option	Cost	Imprint	Portable
Free KDP ISBN	$0	"Independently published"	KDP only
Own ISBN (Bowker)	$125 single / $295 for 10	Your imprint name	Yes

Rule: Each format (eBook, paperback, hardcover) requires a unique ISBN. Recommendation: Own ISBN if planning wide distribution beyond Amazon; free ISBN if Amazon-exclusive.

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Pricing & Royalties

eBook

Rate	Price range	Notes
35%	$0.99–$200	Any price
70%	$2.99–$9.99	Minus $0.15/MB delivery fee

Recommended eBook price: $4.99–$6.99 (qualifies for 70%)

Paperback (6×9, Standard Color, ~280 pages)

Printing cost = $1.00 + (pages × $0.0255)
280 pages → $1.00 + $7.14 = $8.14 printing cost

At $14.99: (0.60 × $14.99) − $8.14 = $0.85 royalty
At $17.99: (0.60 × $17.99) − $8.14 = $2.65 royalty

Recommended paperback price: $15.99–$17.99

Expanded Distribution (Paperback only)

• 40% royalty (vs. 60% direct)
• Access to Ingram, bookstores, libraries
• Allow 8 weeks to appear in channels

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Categories & Keywords

Reading age settings:

• Ages 9–12 → Children's Books categories
• Ages 13–17 → Teen & Young Adult categories

Category selections (up to 3 for middle-grade mystery):

1. Children's Books > Mysteries & Detectives
2. Children's Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy & Magic
3. Children's Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Friendship

Keywords (up to 7): Use specific, searchable terms. Update monthly based on search trends.

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Publication Timeline

Action	Timeline
eBook review	24–72 hours
Paperback review	Up to 72 hours (US) / 5 days (other)
"Look Inside" feature	7–10 business days
Editions linked	48 hours to 1 week
Expanded Distribution	Up to 8 weeks

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Marketing Tools

Tool	What it does
Author Central	Author page, bio, BookScan data, editorial reviews
A+ Content	Enhanced detail page with images (8 business days review)
KDP Select	Kindle Unlimited enrollment; Free promotions (5 days/90-day period); requires eBook exclusivity
Sponsored Products	Search result ads; $0.10–$0.50/click typical

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Common Pitfalls

1. Low-res images: 300 DPI must be at final print size — upscaling won't fix quality
2. Wrong color mode: Convert to CMYK before embedding in print manuscript
3. Bleed mistakes: Set up manuscript with 0.125" bleed if banners extend to page edges
4. Spine variance: Allow ±0.125" variance — don't place critical elements near fold lines
5. Age/category mismatch: Wrong reading age prevents appearance in children's categories
6. ISBN mismatch: ISBN printed in interior must match what's entered in KDP for each format

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Pre-Publishing Checklist

• Create KDP account and complete W-9 (Tax Questionnaire)
• Add bank account for direct deposit
• Finalize manuscript as PDF with 300 DPI images
• Calculate spine width and generate cover wrap
• Decide ISBN strategy (free vs. own)
• Order physical proof copy before publishing (~$10–15)
• Upload eBook first (fastest to go live)
• Set reading age (9–12 or 13–17)
• Select 3 categories and 7 keywords
• Set prices (eBook $4.99–6.99; paperback $15.99–17.99)
• Enable Expanded Distribution (paperback)

Post-Publishing Checklist

• Claim Author Central page
• Set up A+ Content
• Link all editions (eBook + paperback + hardcover)
• Run $0.99 launch promotion (KDP Select Free Days or Countdown Deal)
• Set up Amazon Advertising campaign

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Cost Estimate (Minimum)

Item	Cost
KDP Publishing	Free
Proof copy	~$10–15
Author copies (10)	~$100–150
Own ISBN (optional)	$125–295
Advertising (optional)	$100–500/mo
Minimum out-of-pocket	~$10–15

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Distribution Comparison

Platform	Market share	Royalty	Exclusivity
Amazon KDP	~80%	35–70%	Optional (KDP Select)
IngramSpark	Bookstores, libraries	55%	No
Draft2Digital	Multiple retailers	60%	No
Barnes & Noble Press	B&N stores	65%	No

Wide strategy: All platforms — maximum reach Exclusive strategy: KDP only — KDP Select perks, Kindle Unlimited per-page royalties