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Printing cost changes FAQ

On June 20, 2023, at 12:00 AM UTC, we’re making changes to printing costs to better align with today’s cost of materials and labor. As a result, the minimum list price for your print books (paperback and hardcover) will change. While not required, you may want to update your list prices for your print books to maintain your current royalties after the new printing costs go into effect. If you make any updates to an existing print book after June 20, it will need to comply with the new minimum list price. Please find frequently asked questions and the new printing costs below.


Contents


Printing cost changes and timeline

How are printing costs changing?

There will be three changes to printing costs:

  • An increase in the fixed cost for all paperback and hardcover books to cover the higher cost of labor, paper, and other materials.
  • A new fixed and per-page cost for paperback and hardcover books with large trim sizes to cover the additional costs to print these books. A large trim size is either more than 6.12 inches (155 mm) in width or more than 9 inches (229 mm) in height. Note: a 6” x 9” book is a regular trim size.
  • A decrease in the per-page cost for certain color-ink print books ordered from some marketplaces as outlined in the printing costs tables.
View the new printing costs for paperback and hardcover books at the bottom of this page.

Note: the printing cost changes will affect the cost of proof and author copies. You can view the accurate price in your cart when you place an order.

When will the printing cost changes take effect?

Printing cost changes will go into effect at 12:00 AM UTC on June 20, 2023. You may want to use a time zone converter to determine the time the changes will go into effect in your region.

How can I prepare for the changes to printing costs?

Your new minimum list price will either increase or decrease depending on your book’s trim size, ink type, and marketplace availability. You are not required to update your existing list prices, but this could result in changes to your royalties. In particular, if your list price is below the new minimum list price, you will receive zero royalties. Note that if you make updates to an existing print book after June 20, it will need to comply with the new minimum list price in order to publish the updates.

To prepare for the change, you can review your new minimum list price for each of your books and decide if you want to update it. We have a number of resources to help you make this decision, including:

  • A downloadable list on your Bookshelf of all books that will fall below the new minimum list price and earn zero royalties after the printing cost changes take effect. Note: if this file is not available on your Bookshelf, it means none of your books will fall below the new minimum list price.
  • Additional information on the Pricing tab for each of your live print books to compare your new minimum list price, printing costs, and royalty amount in each marketplace after the changes take effect.
  • Coming soon! The Printing Costs and Royalty Calculator will be updated in a few weeks to show estimated royalties before and after the printing costs change.
If you decide you’d like to update your list prices, you can either choose to update them individually, or go to your Bookshelf to run a one-time bulk list price update for all of your live print books to keep your royalties the same after the changes take effect. Learn more about these options below.


Changes to list prices

Important: You are not required to update your list prices prior to the printing cost change. However, please note that your royalties could decrease, and/or you could earn zero royalties if your existing list price falls below the new minimum.

Where can I find my new minimum list price?

View your new minimum list price by marketplace on the Pricing tab for each of your print books. You can access the Pricing tab by going to your Bookshelf, clicking the ellipsis (…) next to your chosen book, and selecting Edit Pricing from the menu.

How do I know which books will fall below the new minimum list price?

If any of your books will fall below the new minimum list price, you’ll see a message on your Bookshelf along with a link to download your list of affected books. This list is available now if you have books below the new minimum list prices.

Can I update my list prices in bulk?

From your Bookshelf, you can run a one-time bulk update on all of your live paperback and hardcover list prices to keep your royalties the same after printing costs change. Learn more about this option under Optional bulk update below.

How do I change my list prices individually?

You can update your list price on the Pricing tab for each of your print books. List price changes take 3-5 days to appear on your detail page. Learn how to update your list price.


Optional bulk update

When will the bulk update happen?

From your Bookshelf, you can run a one-time bulk update for all of your live print book list prices to keep your royalties the same after printing costs change.

You have until June 19, 2023 to start this update. However, the sooner you run the bulk update, the more likely your live list prices will be updated ahead of the printing cost changes.

Once you confirm you would like to run the one-time bulk update, changes can take several weeks. We will email you when all of your live list prices are updated in your KDP account. Note that if you start the bulk update on or close to June 19, 2023, you may earn a zero royalty for books that fall below the new minimum list price for several weeks until the update is complete.

How does the bulk update work across marketplaces?

Your primary marketplace list price will increase so that you earn the same royalties after printing cost changes. If you manually set your list prices in your non-primary marketplaces, those list prices will increase to earn the same royalties. If you did not manually set your non-primary marketplace list prices, your primary marketplace list price will be converted to the applicable marketplace currency. No change will be made to your list price if your royalty will increase as a result of the printing cost changes.

Note: the bulk update list prices will not include local sales tax. Learn more about how sales tax is applied.

What happens if I change my list prices after starting the bulk update?

We recommend you do not adjust your paperback and hardcover book list prices until the bulk update is complete. The bulk update uses the live list price at the time of processing, so waiting ensures the bulk update does not override any manual changes you make.


Royalty payments

Will the printing cost changes affect my royalty payment amounts?

Yes. For books shipped after June 20, 2023, at 12:00 AM UTC, the new printing cost rates will apply. Your printing costs are deducted from your royalty. So, an increase or decrease in the printing cost will cause your royalty amount to be smaller or larger (respectively) if you choose not to update your list price. If your book falls below the minimum list price as a result of the printing cost changes, you will earn a zero royalty.

Will this change affect when I receive my royalty payments?

No. Your payment schedule will not change after the printing cost changes. See all royalties earned in your sales reports as usual.

Where can I see my new royalty amounts?

You can see your book’s new minimum list prices and royalties in all marketplaces on the Pricing page following the steps below.

  1. Go to your Bookshelf.
  2. Click the ellipsis (…) next to your chosen book.
  3. Select Edit Rights & Pricing.
  4. See details in the Pricing, royalty, and distribution section.

New printing costs

Use the tables below to compare the costs before and after printing cost changes go into effect on June 20, 2023, at 12:00 AM UTC. For more details on current costs, view the help pages for paperback and hardcover printing costs.

How do I calculate my book's printing cost?

To calculate your paperback or hardcover printing cost, we use this formula:

Fixed cost + (page count * per page cost) = printing cost

See an example of a 300-page black ink 6-inch width by 9-inch height (regular trim size) paperback sold in the United States below using the new printing costs effective June 20, 2023.

1.00 USD fixed cost per book + (300 page count * 0.012 USD per page cost) = 4.60 USD (printing cost)

Paperback printing costs

Black ink paperback:
Note: Black ink paperbacks with 24 - 108 pages only incur the fixed cost.
Marketplace Before June 20, 2023 Effective June 20, 2023
All Trim Sizes Regular Trim Sizes Large Trim Sizes

(Larger than 6.12 inches (155 mm) in width or 9 inches (229 mm) in height)

Fixed Cost Per Book Per-Page Cost Fixed Cost Per Book
Per-Page Cost
Fixed Cost Per Book
Per-Page Cost
Paperback specification: black ink with 24-108 pages
Amazon.ca 2.82 CAD None 2.99 CAD None 3.53 CAD None
Amazon.co.jp 400 YEN None 422 YEN None 530 YEN None
Amazon.co.uk 1.70 GBP None 1.93 GBP None 2.15 GBP None
Amazon.com 2.15 USD None 2.30 USD None 2.84 USD None
Amazon.com.au 4.49 AUD None 4.74 AUD None 5.28 AUD None
Amazon.de/es/fr/it/nl 1.90 EUR None 2.05 EUR None 2.48 EUR None
Amazon.pl 8.76 PLN None 9.58 PLN None 11.61 PLN None
Amazon.se 19.27 SEK None 22.84 SEK None 27.67 SEK None
Paperback specification: black ink with 110-828 pages
Amazon.ca 1.11 CAD 0.016 CAD 1.26 CAD 0.016 CAD 1.26 CAD 0.021 CAD
Amazon.co.jp 175 YEN 2 YEN 206 YEN 2 YEN 206 YEN 3 YEN
Amazon.co.uk 0.70 GBP 0.010 GBP 0.85 GBP 0.010 GBP 0.85 GBP 0.012 GBP
Amazon.com 0.85 USD 0.012 USD 1.00 USD 0.012 USD 1.00 USD 0.017 USD
Amazon.com.au 2.17 AUD 0.0215 AUD 2.42 AUD 0.022 AUD 2.42 AUD 0.027 AUD
Amazon.de/es/fr/it/nl 0.60 EUR 0.012 EUR 0.75 EUR 0.012 EUR 0.75 EUR 0.016 EUR
Amazon.pl 2.77 PLN 0.06 PLN 3.51 PLN 0.056 PLN 3.51 PLN 0.075 PLN
Amazon.se 6.09 SEK 0.12 SEK 8.37 SEK 0.134 SEK 8.37 SEK 0.179 SEK
Color ink paperback:
Marketplace Before June 20, 2023 Effective June 20, 2023
All Trim Sizes Regular Trim Sizes Large Trim Sizes

(Larger than 6.12 inches (155 mm) in width or 9 inches (229 mm) in height or larger)

Fixed Cost Per Book Per-Page Cost Fixed Cost Per Book
Per-Page Cost
Fixed Cost Per Book
Per-Page Cost
Paperback specification: premium color ink with 24-40 pages
Amazon.ca 4.78 CAD None 4.66 CAD None 5.26 CAD None
Amazon.co.jp 475 YEN None 475 YEN None 475 YEN None
Amazon.co.uk 2.05 GBP None 2.65 GBP None 3.25 GBP None
Amazon.com 3.65 USD None 3.60 USD None 4.20 USD None
Amazon.com.au 5.05 AUD None 5.82 AUD None 6.42 AUD None
Amazon.de/es/fr/it/nl 2.40 EUR None 3.03 EUR None 3.63 EUR None
Amazon.pl 11.06 PLN None 12.86 PLN None 15.32 PLN None
Amazon.se 24.34 SEK None 30.65 SEK None 36.51 SEK None
Paperback specification: premium color ink with 42-828 pages
Amazon.ca 1.11 CAD 0.09 CAD 1.26 CAD 0.085 CAD 1.26 CAD 0.10 CAD
Amazon.co.jp 175 YEN 4 YEN 206 YEN 4 YEN 206 YEN 5 YEN
Amazon.co.uk 0.70 GBP 0.045 GBP 0.85 GBP 0.045 GBP 0.85 GBP 0.06 GBP
Amazon.com 0.85 USD 0.07 USD 1.00 USD 0.065 USD 1.00 USD 0.08 USD
Amazon.com.au 2.17 AUD 0.072 AUD 2.42 AUD 0.085 AUD 2.42 AUD 0.10 AUD
Amazon.de/es/fr/it/nl 0.60 EUR 0.06 EUR 0.75 EUR 0.057 EUR 0.75 EUR 0.072 EUR
Amazon.pl 2.77 PLN 0.28 PLN 3.51 PLN 0.267 PLN 3.51 PLN 0.337 PLN
Amazon.se 6.09 SEK 0.61 SEK 8.37 SEK 0.636 SEK 8.37 SEK 0.804 SEK
Paperback specification: standard color ink with 72-600 pages
Amazon.ca 1.11 CAD 0.047 CAD 1.26 CAD 0.037 CAD 1.26 CAD 0.052 CAD
Amazon.co.uk 0.70 GBP 0.025 GBP 0.85 GBP 0.020 GBP 0.85 GBP 0.027 GBP
Amazon.com 0.85 USD 0.036 USD 1.00 USD 0.027 USD 1.00 USD 0.042 USD
Amazon.de/es/fr/it/nl 0.60 EUR 0.031 EUR 0.75 EUR 0.024 EUR 0.75 EUR 0.035 EUR
Amazon.pl 2.77 PLN 0.14 PLN 3.51 PLN 0.112 PLN 3.51 PLN 0.164 PLN
Amazon.se 6.09 SEK 0.31 SEK 8.37 SEK 0.268 SEK 8.37 SEK 0.3691 SEK

Hardcover printing costs

Black ink hardcover:
Note: Black ink hardcover in regular trim size with 75 - 108 pages only incur the fixed cost.
Marketplace Before June 20, 2023 Effective June 20, 2023
All Trim Sizes Regular Trim Sizes Large Trim Sizes

(Larger than 6.12 inches (155 mm) in width or 9 inches (229 mm) in height)

Fixed Cost Per Book Per-Page Cost Fixed Cost Per Book
Per-Page Cost
Fixed Cost Per Book
Per-Page Cost
Hardcover specification: black ink with 75-108 pages
Amazon.co.uk 5.10 GBP None 5.23 GBP None 5.45 GBP None
Amazon.com 6.80 USD None 6.80 USD None 7.49 USD None
Amazon.de/es/fr/it/nl 5.80 EUR None 5.95 EUR None 6.35 EUR None
Amazon.pl 26.73 PLN None 27.85 PLN None 29.87 PLN None
Amazon.se 58.83SEK None 66.38 SEK None 71.21 SEK None
Hardcover specification: black ink with 110-550 pages
Amazon.co.uk 4.00 GBP 0.010 GBP 4.15 GBP 0.010 GBP 4.15 GBP 0.012 GBP
Amazon.com 5.50 USD 0.012 USD 5.65 USD 0.012 USD 5.65 USD 0.017 USD
Amazon.de/es/fr/it/nl 4.50 EUR 0.012 EUR 4.65 EUR 0.012 EUR 4.65 EUR 0.016 EUR
Amazon.pl 20.74 PLN 0.06 PLN 20.34 PLN 0.056 PLN 20.34 PLN 0.075 PLN
Amazon.se 45.65 SEK 0.12 SEK 48.49 SEK 0.134 SEK 48.49 SEK 0.179 SEK
Color ink hardcover:
Marketplace Before June 20, 2023 Effective June 20, 2023
All Trim Sizes Regular Trim Sizes Large Trim Sizes

(Larger than 6.12 inches (155 mm) in width or 9 inches (229 mm) in height)

Fixed Cost Per Book Per-Page Cost Fixed Cost Per Book
Per-Page Cost
Fixed Cost Per Book
Per-Page Cost
Hardcover specification: premium color ink with 75-550 pages
Amazon.co.uk 4.00 GBP 0.045 GBP 4.15 GBP 0.045 GBP 4.15 GBP 0.060 GBP
Amazon.com 5.50 USD 0.070 USD 5.65 USD 0.065 USD 5.65 USD 0.080 USD
Amazon.de/es/fr/it/nl 4.50 EUR 0.060 EUR 4.65 EUR 0.057 EUR 4.65 EUR 0.072 EUR
Amazon.pl 20.74 PLN 0.28 PLN 21.78 PLN 0.267 PLN 21.78 PLN 0.337 PLN
Amazon.se 45.65 SEK 0.61 SEK 51.91 SEK 0.636 SEK 51.91 SEK 0.804 SEK

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