Before you upload your manuscript and cover to KDP, you'll choose how you'd like to print your book.

Visit Paperback Printing Cost for details about how we calculate printing cost for paperbacks. For hardcover printing costs, visit Hardcover Printing Cost.

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Ink and paper type

You can choose between these ink and paper options:

Paperback	Hardcover
Black ink and 50-61 pound (74-90 GSM) cream paper	Black ink and 50-61 pound (74-90 GSM) cream paper
Black ink and 50-61 pound (74-90 GSM) white paper	Black ink and 50-61 pound (74-90 GSM) white paper
Black ink and 45 pound (60 GSM) groundwood paper	Not available
Premium color ink and 60-71 pound (88-105 GSM) white paper	Premium color ink and 60-71 pound (88-105 GSM) white paper
Standard color interior with 50-61 pound (74-90 GSM) white paper	Not available

Note: Paper weight varies based on printing location.

Black ink books can be printed on cream, white, or groundwood paper. Books with color ink are printed on white paper, which shows a higher contrast for images and graphics.

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Choose ink and paper type

1. Go to your KDP Bookshelf.
2. Click the ellipsis button ("…") next to the book you want to continue setup for
3. Choose Edit paperback content or Edit hardcover content.
4. Scroll to Print Options and choose your ink and paper type
5. Review and complete prompted checks on page
6. Select Save and Continue. This will take you to the Rights & Pricing page.
7. Click the Publish button at the bottom of the page to submit for publishing.

Important: When choosing your ink and paper type,

• Choose a color ink option if any images in your book are supposed to print in color. For paperbacks, you can choose between premium color and standard color. Standard color ink is not available for hardcover.
• If your book is already published, the ink and paper type are locked after publication due to ISBN requirements. After publication, you can't change your ink type between Standard color, Premium color, and black-and-white.
• Set up a separate book on your KDP Bookshelf if you have a black-and-white and color version of your book.
• We recommend ordering a proof of your book before publication to make sure selected ink and paper type fits your needs.
• Remember that the cost for books printed in color is higher.
• For groundwood paper, printing costs are approximately 5% lower per page compared to cream and white paper.

Note: Standard color distribution for right-to-left (RTL) paperbacks is limited to Amazon.co.jp.

Switching paper types after publication

If your paperback uses black and white ink, you can switch between certain paper types after publishing:

• Cream ↔ White
• Cream ↔ Groundwood
• White ↔ Groundwood

Before switching, review your cover in the Print Previewer to ensure it displays correctly. Depending on your book's page count, you may need to upload a new cover file. Updates typically take up to 72 hours to appear. Learn more about our publishing timelines. Paper type switching is not available for titles using premium color or standard color ink.

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Trim size

You can choose from a variety of trim sizes (check the table below for a list of common trim sizes, as well as minimum and maximum page count by size).

The most common trim size for books in the U.S. is 6" x 9" (152.4 x 228.6 mm) and is a regular trim size. When setting up your book, this is the default in the "Print Options" section of the Content tab. If you want a different trim size, click Select a different size.

There are different printing costs for regular and large trim size books. A large trim size is either more than 6.12 inches (155.5 mm) in width or more than 9 inches (228.6 mm) in height.

For paperbacks, you can also enter your own custom trim size. Width must be within 4"-8.5" (10.16-21.59 cm). Height must be within 6"-11.69" (15.24-29.69 cm).

Note: All specifications below are shown width by height.

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Cover finish

Our covers are printed on 80 pound (220 GSM) white paper stock with either glossy or matte finish:

• Glossy finish is shiny. It makes black covers darker and artwork more striking. It's typical for textbooks, children's books, and nonfiction.
• Matte finish has minimal sheen and a subtle, polished look. It's typical for novels and other fiction.

Note: Hardcover books are printed as case laminate. For more information, visit Hardcover Print Elements.

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Environmental consciousness

Environmental consciousness is important to us. As a manufacture-on-demand company, we produce units as they're ordered, which reduces excess production. We also maintain a commitment to recycling waste materials resulting from the printing process and from daily office operations, and we will continue to review our practices to ensure we are doing our part to protect the environment.

For information on EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), visit EU Deforestation Regulation Compliance.