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 are 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 printing costs for the same 120-page paperback book as a regular or large trim size printed in standard and premium color on Amazon.com:

	Standard	Premium
Regular trim fixed cost per book	1.00 USD	1.00 USD
Large trim fixed cost per book	1.00 USD	1.00 USD
Minimum page count	72	24
Regular trim per-page cost	0.027 USD	0.065 USD
Large trim per-page cost	0.042 USD	0.080 USD
Printing cost regular trim size Fixed cost + (page count * regular trim size per page cost)	4.24 USD	8.80 USD
Printing cost large trim size Fixed cost + (page count * large trim size per page cost)	6.04 USD	10.60 USD

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

Note: Large trim is either more than 6.12" (155.5 mm) in width or more than 9" (228.6 mm) in height.

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
Regular trim size per-page cost	0.027 USD*	0.065 USD*
Large trim size per-page cost	0.042 USD*	0.080 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	50-61 pound (74-90 GSM) Note that paper weight varies based on printing location.	60-71 pound (88-105 GSM) Note that paper weight varies based on printing location.
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.

For all specifications, visit Paperback 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).