--- type: skill inheritance: inheritable lifecycle: stable name: kdp-publishing description: "Amazon KDP self-publishing specs — cover requirements, interior formatting, spine formulas, ink options, and pricing tiers" applyTo: "**/*kdp*,**/*publish*,**/*book*" tier: extended currency: 2026-04-30 lastReviewed: 2026-04-30 --- # Domain Knowledge: Amazon KDP Self-Publishing **Source**: Validated from publishing *Alex in Wonderland* (Amazon KDP, February 21, 2026) **Applies to**: Any book published via Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing **Last verified**: February 21, 2026 ## Live Reference: *Alex in Wonderland* (Published February 21, 2026) | Field | Value | | --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Title | Alex in Wonderland: A Detective Mystery Adventure | | Series | Alex Finch Detective Series, Book 1 | | Author | *(your name)* | | ISBN | 979-8-24895072-0 (KDP free ISBN, 979-8 prefix) | | Kindle ASIN | B0GPCV6V6R — [amazon.com/dp/B0GPCV6V6R](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPCV6V6R) | | Paperback ASIN | B0GPJ4HP27 — [amazon.com/dp/B0GPJ4HP27](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPJ4HP27) | | eBook price | $5.00 (qualifies for 70% royalty tier) | | Paperback price | $28.00 | | KDP Select | Enrolled (eBook) | | Status | Both formats: Live | | Submitted | February 21, 2026 | --- ## Platform Overview Amazon KDP offers free print-on-demand publishing of eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers at kdp.amazon.com. No upfront costs. Royalties paid ~60 days after month-end threshold (~$100). --- ## Supported Formats | Format | Pages | Notes | | --------------- | ------ | -------------------------------------- | | Kindle eBook | — | Reflowable; no ISBN required | | Paperback (POD) | 24–828 | Matte or glossy cover | | Hardcover (POD) | 75–550 | Not eligible for Expanded Distribution | --- ## Interior Specifications (6×9 Paperback) | Element | Requirement | | ---------------- | -------------------------------- | | Margins | Min 0.375" inside, 0.25" outside | | Bleed | 0.125" if images extend to edge | | Image resolution | **300 DPI minimum** (critical) | | Image color mode | CMYK for print; RGB for eBook | | Max file size | 650 MB | ### Ink Options | Option | Use case | Cost/page (US) | | -------------- | --------------------------- | -------------- | | Black Ink | B&W illustrations only | $0.012 | | Standard Color | Budget color (72–600 pages) | $0.0255 | | Premium Color | Best quality | $0.065 | **Recommendation for illustrated books**: Standard Color for cost-effective full-color chapter banners. --- ## Cover Specifications | Element | Requirement | | ------------ | --------------------------------------------------- | | File type | Single PDF (front + spine + back wrap) | | Resolution | 300 DPI minimum | | Color mode | CMYK | | Bleed | 0.125" on all outside edges | | Cover finish | Glossy recommended for children's/illustrated books | | eBook cover | 2560 × 1600 px ideal; JPEG or TIFF; RGB | ### Spine Width Formula (6×9) ``` Black ink/white paper: page_count × 0.002252" Premium color/white: page_count × 0.002347" ``` Example (280 pages, standard color): ~0.63–0.66" **Tool**: Use KDP Cover Calculator at kdp.amazon.com/cover-calculator for exact template. --- ## ISBN Strategy | Option | Cost | Imprint | Portable | | ----------------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------- | -------- | | Free KDP ISBN | $0 | "Independently published" | KDP only | | Own ISBN (Bowker) | $125 single / $295 for 10 | Your imprint name | Yes | **Rule**: Each format (eBook, paperback, hardcover) requires a unique ISBN. **Recommendation**: Own ISBN if planning wide distribution beyond Amazon; free ISBN if Amazon-exclusive. --- ## Pricing & Royalties ### eBook | Rate | Price range | Notes | | ------- | --------------- | --------------------------- | | 35% | $0.99–$200 | Any price | | **70%** | **$2.99–$9.99** | Minus $0.15/MB delivery fee | **Recommended eBook price**: $4.99–$6.99 (qualifies for 70%) ### Paperback (6×9, Standard Color, ~280 pages) ``` Printing cost = $1.00 + (pages × $0.0255) 280 pages → $1.00 + $7.14 = $8.14 printing cost At $14.99: (0.60 × $14.99) − $8.14 = $0.85 royalty At $17.99: (0.60 × $17.99) − $8.14 = $2.65 royalty ``` **Recommended paperback price**: $15.99–$17.99 ### Expanded Distribution (Paperback only) - 40% royalty (vs. 60% direct) - Access to Ingram, bookstores, libraries - Allow 8 weeks to appear in channels --- ## Categories & Keywords **Reading age settings**: - Ages 9–12 → Children's Books categories - Ages 13–17 → Teen & Young Adult categories **Category selections** (up to 3 for middle-grade mystery): 1. Children's Books > Mysteries & Detectives 2. Children's Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy & Magic 3. Children's Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Friendship **Keywords** (up to 7): Use specific, searchable terms. Update monthly based on search trends. --- ## Publication Timeline | Action | Timeline | | --------------------- | ------------------------------------ | | eBook review | 24–72 hours | | Paperback review | Up to 72 hours (US) / 5 days (other) | | "Look Inside" feature | 7–10 business days | | Editions linked | 48 hours to 1 week | | Expanded Distribution | Up to 8 weeks | --- ## Marketing Tools | Tool | What it does | | ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Author Central | Author page, bio, BookScan data, editorial reviews | | A+ Content | Enhanced detail page with images (8 business days review) | | KDP Select | Kindle Unlimited enrollment; Free promotions (5 days/90-day period); requires eBook exclusivity | | Sponsored Products | Search result ads; $0.10–$0.50/click typical | --- ## Common Pitfalls 1. **Low-res images**: 300 DPI must be at final print size — upscaling won't fix quality 2. **Wrong color mode**: Convert to CMYK before embedding in print manuscript 3. **Bleed mistakes**: Set up manuscript with 0.125" bleed if banners extend to page edges 4. **Spine variance**: Allow ±0.125" variance — don't place critical elements near fold lines 5. **Age/category mismatch**: Wrong reading age prevents appearance in children's categories 6. **ISBN mismatch**: ISBN printed in interior must match what's entered in KDP for each format --- ## Pre-Publishing Checklist - [ ] Create KDP account and complete W-9 (Tax Questionnaire) - [ ] Add bank account for direct deposit - [ ] Finalize manuscript as PDF with 300 DPI images - [ ] Calculate spine width and generate cover wrap - [ ] Decide ISBN strategy (free vs. own) - [ ] Order physical proof copy before publishing (~$10–15) - [ ] Upload eBook first (fastest to go live) - [ ] Set reading age (9–12 or 13–17) - [ ] Select 3 categories and 7 keywords - [ ] Set prices (eBook $4.99–6.99; paperback $15.99–17.99) - [ ] Enable Expanded Distribution (paperback) ## Post-Publishing Checklist - [ ] Claim Author Central page - [ ] Set up A+ Content - [ ] Link all editions (eBook + paperback + hardcover) - [ ] Run $0.99 launch promotion (KDP Select Free Days or Countdown Deal) - [ ] Set up Amazon Advertising campaign --- ## Cost Estimate (Minimum) | Item | Cost | | ------------------------- | ----------- | | KDP Publishing | Free | | Proof copy | ~$10–15 | | Author copies (10) | ~$100–150 | | Own ISBN (optional) | $125–295 | | Advertising (optional) | $100–500/mo | | **Minimum out-of-pocket** | **~$10–15** | --- ## Distribution Comparison | Platform | Market share | Royalty | Exclusivity | | -------------------- | --------------------- | ------- | --------------------- | | Amazon KDP | ~80% | 35–70% | Optional (KDP Select) | | IngramSpark | Bookstores, libraries | 55% | No | | Draft2Digital | Multiple retailers | 60% | No | | Barnes & Noble Press | B&N stores | 65% | No | **Wide strategy**: All platforms — maximum reach **Exclusive strategy**: KDP only — KDP Select perks, Kindle Unlimited per-page royalties