You can choose between standard or premium color ink on white paper when setting up paperbacks, this is not available for hardcover.

Printing differences between standard and premium color ink

To lower printing costs, standard color paperbacks are printed on lighter paper (the same as our black-and-white paperbacks) using inkjet printers that are more efficient than the toner-based printers we use for premium color paperbacks.

• Standard color is ideal for books with a high page count, and interiors with fewer images, where a balance between cost and quality is needed. Paperbacks printed in standard color have a matte finish and are different in sharpness and richness of color as those printed in premium color.
• Premium color is ideal for image-heavy color interiors, like children's books, cookbooks, or photography books, where image sharpness and clarity is pivotal.

Differences in detail page listings

You and your customers won’t be able to distinguish between the detail pages for books setup in standard and premium color ink. For the best customer experience, we suggest unpublishing one version instead of creating two editions.

Important: If your book is not yet published, you can change the ink type by updating the interior and paper type within the print options. If your book is already published, the interior and paper type is locked. To update your interior and paper type, unpublish and then republish your book with a new ISBN.

Standard

Premium

Here is an example of the difference in print-cost for the same 120-page paperback printed in standard and premium color on Amazon.com:

	Standard	Premium
Fixed cost	0.85 USD	0.85 USD
Minimum page count	72	24
Per-page cost	0.036 USD*	0.070 USD*
Printing cost Fixed cost + (page count * per page cost)	5.17 USD	9.25 USD

To calculate your book's printing cost, visit Printing Cost & Royalty Calculator. For detailed information on standard or premium color print costs by marketplace, visit Paperback Printing Cost.

If you’re not sure which ink type to choose, use the chart to determine which is the best fit for you and your book:

	Standard	Premium
Per-page cost	0.036 USD*	0.070 USD*
Royalty rate	60%	60%
Minimum page count	72	24
Trim sizes	4” x 6” (10.16 x 15.24 cm) – 8.5” x 11” (21.59 x 27.94 cm)	4” x 6” (10.16 x 15.24 cm) – 8.5” x 11” (21.59 x 27.94 cm)
Paper type	White	White
Paper weight	55# (90 grams per square meter; same paper weight as black and white)	60# (90 GSM)
Pixel per inch	435	435
Expanded Distribution	Yes, as long as the requirements are met.	Yes
Proof copies	Yes	Yes
Author copies	Yes * Not available in kdp.amazon.co.jp	Yes * Not available in kdp.amazon.co.jp
Prime eligible	Yes	Yes
Marketplaces	Amazon.com Amazon.ca Amazon.co.uk Amazon.es, .it, .fr, .de	Amazon.com Amazon.ca Amazon.co.uk Amazon.es, .it, .fr, .de Amazon.com.au Amazon.co.jp

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Cover specifications

Standard and premium share the same cover sizing and formatting requirements.

See cover specifications.

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Interior specifications

Standard and premium color ink share the same interior sizing and formatting requirements. However, the minimum and maximum page counts differ between the two ink types.

For more information, visit Print Options.

Note: Standard color is not available for the A4 paper size, 8.27" x 11.69" (21 x 29.7 cm).