Printing has given me my biggest headaches during the publishing process. It is very different if you are printing a chapter book versus a picture book. It’s also different if your illustrations were completed digitally versus painted. My headaches might not be yours, but I still want to make sure you understand a bit of the process and what you could be getting into.

If you’re publishing through one of the Big Five, they’ll typically handle the printing, storage, and distribution for you. Sounds great, right? But even then, make sure to ask how you can get your author copies—those precious extras you’ll want on hand for events, signings, or personal sales. Some publishers (big and small) have strict rules around pricing, resale, and payment methods, so always get those details in writing.

But if you’re like me, publishing through a small press, or self-publishing entirely—you’ll need to figure out how to print your books. I’ve learned the hard way so you (hopefully) don’t have to.

I started this journey knowing nothing about printing. I didn’t even know how to turn a Microsoft Word doc into a book layout. (Spoiler: It’s not as easy as hitting “print.”)

One time, I met an author who published her book using Canva. That’s a great option for printing gifts, personal copies, or for smaller releases. But if you’re planning to sell your book broadly, you’ll probably want to level up.

Every printing company should send you a proof before you publish. I’ve spent way more on proofs than I ever anticipated. A few here and there add up—especially when you’re sending multiple versions to your publishing team for review. Still, proofs are worth every penny if it means you’ll be proud of the final product.

Key Printing Options

Amazon KDP
Ah, Amazon. I love to hate it and hate to love it. It’s incredibly convenient—they print and ship books on demand. But, know your margins. Seriously. Whether you’re printing a chapter book or a full-color picture book, margins matter.

Amazon customer service has been… decent. But if something goes wrong, you’re the only one advocating for yourself—unless you have a publisher backing you up. They’ll also sometimes change the price of your book without notice. I’ve logged in and found Amazon selling my book at a huge discount, which undercuts sales from my website. So frustrating!

If you want your main source of book sales and income to come from Amazon, you will need to learn how to properly market your book on their platform.

Pro tips: When your book goes live, tell everyone to buy it right away and ask them to leave honest reviews (not just glowing ones). Also, request author copies early. Even if you approved the proof, the finished product might surprise you—and not in a good way.

IngramSpark
If you want your book in libraries or bookstores, IngramSpark is your friend. When you tell a library you publish through Ingram, they can easily find your title in their system. It’s got premium print quality and a broader distribution network than Amazon.

Keep in mind: Ingram deducts royalties if books are returned (and sometimes they’re destroyed —don’t get me started… I would love to have an option to donate returned books.). You also have to pay attention to where your book is printed. The same file printed at different facilities can look different. Even things like humidity can affect how colors appear. Wild, right?

Local Print Shops

I’ve found a couple of local printers in my area, and here’s the deal—they’re amazing for hands-on customer service. I can walk in, talk to someone face-to-face, and get help adjusting files in programs like InDesign (which has a learning curve, believe me). My publisher did a self-directed crash course learning how to work InDesign.

You also support a small business, and when issues come up, they’re easier to fix. They’ll still send you proofs, and sometimes the personal touch is worth more than saving a buck.

The Overseas Option

Overseas printing can be way cheaper per book—but it comes with risk. Often, you have to pay in full upfront, even before you approve a proof. I haven’t taken the plunge, because I can’t justify investing thousands without seeing the final product. If I were guaranteed perfection? Sure, $5,000 to get higher royalties might be worth it. But printing is already unpredictable enough without that added gamble.

Things I Wish Someone Told Me

• Color is unpredictable. Even within the same company, colors can vary from print to print depending on the season, printer, or humidity.
• Feel your paper. Yes, physically. Glossy pages might look pretty but can be hard to turn. One of my books had a cover that felt like cardboard—not ideal.
• Binding options matter. Perfect binding (glued spine) looks professional but earns you less in royalties. Staple binding is cheaper but more basic.
• Know your paper weight, finish, and margins before printing.
• Set your pricing smartly and factor in taxes and future inventory needs. I round up my per-book cost and put money aside for taxes immediately. Hide that tax money in a separate account—future you will thank you. Then, I set money back for future inventory in a different account. My credit union allows allocating my money into separate categories within my business account. It’s a free option, and it helps me see where my money is coming and going more easily.

Storage & Sales

Make sure you have author copies if you want to build a business. I store my author copies in heavy-duty totes to protect against moisture. I take author copies to events, school visits, and sometimes sell them straight from my car. When you sell directly, you control pricing and profits—but again, remember to stash money for your next print run and taxes. If you are printing through the Big 5 or small press, make sure you know the rules of selling your author copies.

Final Thoughts

This whole printing process has stretched me. From not knowing how to format a Word doc to sending bulk orders to hospitals, it’s been a wild ride. But even with all the challenges, it’s worth it to see your story in print.

Even if it’s just one copy for yourself, print your book. You don’t have to know everything up front (trust me, I didn’t). Ask questions, make mistakes, and learn as you go. If you’ve got a story inside you, bring it into the world.

Let me know what else you’d like to learn in The Author’s Guide. I’m happy to share more of my journey and help however I can.

As always, I. Believe. In. YOU!