The numbers
| Binding | Regular trim | Large trim |
|---|---|---|
| Paperback | $3.60 flat for 24–40 pages, then $1.00 + $0.065 per page | $4.20 flat for 24–40 pages, then $1.00 + $0.08 per page |
| Hardcover | $5.65 + $0.065 per page | $5.65 + $0.08 per page |
| Book | Printing cost | Minimum list price |
|---|---|---|
| 32-page picture book, 8.5 × 8.5 in | $4.20 | $8.40 |
| 40-page picture book, 8 × 10 in | $4.20 | $8.40 |
| 120-page cookbook, 8.5 × 11 in | $10.60 | $17.67 |
| 80-page hardcover, 8.25 × 11 in | $12.05 | $20.08 |
Premium color vs standard color
KDP also offers standard color, which costs $0.0255 per page instead of $0.065 on regular trims but needs at least 72 pages and is paperback only. KDP positions premium color for image-heavy interiors where sharpness matters, and standard color for longer books with fewer images.
Up to 40 pages, a premium color paperback pays one flat fee, so 24, 32 and 40 pages cost the same to print.
Limits
- Paperback: 24–828 pages on most trims (590 maximum at 8.5 in wide and in A4).
- Hardcover: 75–550 pages.
- Also sold on Amazon.com.au, where standard color isn't.
- Locked after publishing: you can't switch between premium color, standard color and black and white later.
Example: a 32-page picture book
A 32-page picture book at 8.5 × 8.5 in (a large trim) costs $4.20 to print on Amazon.com, with a minimum list price of $8.40. At $9.99, the royalty is 60% × $9.99 − $4.20 = $1.79 per copy.
The same book at 120 pages would cost $10.60, because every page past 40 is charged.
Common mistakes
- Choosing premium color for a text-heavy workbook where standard color would do.
- Planning a hardcover picture book under 75 pages.
- Assuming you can switch a published color book to black and white to cut costs.
- Forgetting that 8.5 × 8.5 in and 8 × 10 in are large trims, with higher rates.