The numbers
| Ink | Regular trim | Large trim | Pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black and white | $2.30 flat for 24–108 pages, then $1.00 + $0.012 per page | $2.84 flat for 24–108 pages, then $1.00 + $0.017 per page | 24–828 |
| Standard color | $1.00 + $0.0255 per page | $1.00 + $0.0402 per page | 72–600 |
| Premium color | $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 | 24–828 |
| Ink | Printing cost | Minimum list price |
|---|---|---|
| B&W, white paper | $3.04 | $6.08 |
| Standard color | $5.82 | $9.99 |
| Premium color | $10.60 | $17.67 |
When standard color makes sense
KDP describes standard color as ideal for books with a high page count and fewer images, where cost and quality need to be balanced: workbooks, textbooks, manuals, non-fiction with charts. The saving grows with every page: $0.0395 less than premium color per page on a regular trim, and $0.0398 less on a large one. Standard color is printed on the same 50–61 lb (74–90 GSM) paper as black-and-white books.
Against black and white, standard color costs $0.0135 more per page on a regular trim, and it has no flat fee for short books. A book whose color is limited to a few charts can often stay in black and white; one that relies on color on most pages is where standard color pays off.
Limits
- At least 72 pages, so short picture books can't use it.
- Paperback only: hardcovers in color are premium color.
- Not offered in A4 (8.27 × 11.69 in), and not sold on Amazon.com.au.
- Right-to-left paperbacks in standard color are distributed on Amazon.co.jp only.
- Locked after publishing: KDP doesn't let you switch a published book between standard color, premium color and black and white.
Example: a 120-page workbook
A 120-page, 8.5 × 11 in workbook with colored headings and diagrams costs $5.82 to print in standard color and $10.60 in premium color on Amazon.com: $4.78 less per copy. Its minimum list price drops from $17.67 to $9.99.
Common mistakes
- Choosing standard color for a 32-page picture book: it needs at least 72 pages.
- Expecting a standard color hardcover.
- Planning an A4 book in standard color, or expecting it on Amazon.com.au.
- Using it for full-page photography, where KDP recommends premium color.