How Much Does It Cost to Print a Book on Amazon KDP?

Updated June 2026 · 7 min read · By CoverLab Pro

Amazon doesn't charge you to publish on KDP. There are no upfront fees, no monthly costs, and no minimum orders. Instead, Amazon deducts a printing cost from each sale before paying your royalty. This guide breaks down exactly how much that costs for every book type.

The printing cost formula

The fixed cost covers binding and setup. The per-page cost covers ink and paper. Both vary by ink type, trim size, and which Amazon marketplace the book sells in.

Paperback printing costs (Amazon.com)

The difference is dramatic. A 200-page black-and-white novel costs $3.40 to print. The same book in premium color costs $14.00 — four times more. This is why most fiction and nonfiction authors use black-and-white interior with a color cover.

Hardcover printing costs

Hardcover books have a higher fixed cost because of the rigid case laminate binding. They also require a minimum of 75 pages.

A 200-page hardcover costs about $7.90 in black-and-white — roughly double the paperback cost. Most authors price their hardcover edition $8–15 higher than paperback to maintain similar margins.

How printing cost affects your royalty

Amazon pays you 60% of the list price for sales through Amazon stores, minus the printing cost. The formula:

For a $12.99 paperback with a $3.40 printing cost: ($12.99 × 0.60) – $3.40 = $4.39 per sale. Use the royalty calculator to see your exact profit for any price and page count combination.

Minimum list price

Your list price must be high enough to cover the printing cost at the 60% royalty rate. The formula: Minimum Price = Printing Cost ÷ 0.60. A book with a $3.40 printing cost must be priced at least $5.67.

For expanded distribution (bookstores, libraries), the royalty is only 40%, so the minimum price is higher: Printing Cost ÷ 0.40.

How to reduce printing costs

Choose black-and-white unless you need color

The single biggest cost factor is ink type. If your book doesn't need full-color interior pages, use black-and-white with white or cream paper. Save the color for your cover.

Use a regular trim size

Regular trim sizes (up to 6" × 9") have lower per-page costs than large sizes. A 200-page book on regular trim costs $3.40 vs $4.40 on large trim — $1.00 difference per copy. Check the trim size guide to find the right size for your genre.

Tighten your formatting

Fewer pages means lower printing costs. Reduce line spacing from 1.5 to 1.15, use a slightly smaller body font (11pt instead of 12pt), and tighten margins within KDP's minimums. This can cut 20-30 pages from a 250-page book.

Costs on other Amazon marketplaces

Printing costs vary by country. The UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and Japan each have their own fixed costs and per-page rates. Generally, non-US marketplaces have slightly higher per-page costs. Use the royalty calculator to see exact costs across all six marketplaces.

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