How KDP calculates printing cost
KDP prints each paperback when it is ordered and takes the printing cost out of your royalty. It works it out as:
printing cost = fixed cost + page count × per-page cost
- Ink. Black ink is the cheapest; premium color costs several times as much per page. Standard color sits between and needs 72 pages or more.
- Trim. A trim wider than 6.12" or taller than 9" is “large” and costs more per page, or more flat.
- Short books pay a flat cost. Black ink from 24 to 110 pages and premium color from 24 to 40 pay only the fixed cost (24 to 108 black-ink pages on Amazon.com.au).
- Marketplace. Each Amazon store has its own table in its own currency: a copy sold on Amazon.co.uk is charged in pounds.
Amazon.com printing costs by page count
| Pages | Black, 6×9 | Black, 8.5×11 | Standard color, 8.5×11 | Premium color, 8.5×11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | $2.30 | $2.84 | — | $4.20 |
| 50 | $2.30 | $2.84 | — | $5.00 |
| 100 | $2.30 | $2.84 | $5.02 | $9.00 |
| 110 | $2.30 | $2.84 | $5.42 | $9.80 |
| 120 | $2.44 | $3.04 | $5.82 | $10.60 |
| 150 | $2.80 | $3.55 | $7.03 | $13.00 |
| 200 | $3.40 | $4.40 | $9.04 | $17.00 |
| 300 | $4.60 | $6.10 | $13.06 | $25.00 |
“—”: KDP doesn’t print standard color under 72 pages. KDP’s table lists 110 pages in both black-ink bands, but its note says black-ink books of 24–110 pages pay only the fixed cost, so 110 pages is priced flat here.
A 100-page coloring book in each marketplace
Black ink, 8.5" × 11", white paper — the most common coloring book setup:
- Amazon.com: $2.84
- Amazon.co.uk: £2.15
- Amazon.de/es/fr/it/nl/ie/com.be: €2.48
- Amazon.ca: CA$3.53
- Amazon.com.au: A$5.28
KDP also publishes tables for Amazon.pl, Amazon.se, and Amazon.co.jp, which this calculator doesn’t cover, and a cheaper groundwood paper that, on Amazon.com, is only offered at 5" × 8".
Keeping printing costs down
- Up to 110 pages, black-ink books cost the same to print, so a shorter book saves nothing.
- Over 110 pages, every two pages (one sheet) adds to the cost. Blank backs on single-sided coloring pages count.
- Use black ink for coloring and puzzle books. Color interiors suit picture books, where the color is the point.
- Check the royalty, not just the cost: the KDP royalty calculator shows what is left at your list price.
KDP printing cost FAQ
Sources
- KDP: Printing cost (tables by marketplace, formula, minimum list price)
- KDP: Print options (paper and ink)
- KDP: Paperback royalty
Printing costs checked against KDP's help pages on October 21, 2026. Paperbacks only; hardcovers have their own costs. Also see the KDP cover size calculator and the guide to KDP coloring book royalties.