Print on Demand Calculators
Calculate your real profit on Amazon KDP, Merch by Amazon, Redbubble, Zazzle, and Society6 - before you list a single product.
Not sure which tier you're on? Check your Account Tiers page while logged in.
Enter the base (production) price from Redbubble for your product.
Markup above 20% triggers an excess markup fee for Standard & Premium accounts.
• Standard - 50% platform fee on monthly earnings
• Premium - 20% platform fee on monthly earnings
• Pro - No fees at all ✓
All Standard & Premium accounts also pay a 50% excess markup fee on any earnings from markup set above 20% (calculated per sale). The $150/month fee cap applies. Read the full breakdown →
Most Redbubble royalty calculators show your markup percentage and nothing else. They do not take into account the platform service fees that were introduced in September 2025. These fees will reduce your earnings by up to 50% depending on the tier you're in. This calculator in the most accrate Redbubble calculator that will show exactly what you'll be making.
Contents
How Redbubble's Markup Model Works
Redbubble uses a base price plus markup system to calculate your royalties. Redbubble sets a base production cost for each product, for example, a Classic T-Shirt has a base cost of $27.79, and you add the markup percentage on top of it. That markup becomes your gross earnings before any fees are deducted. The retail price the customer sees is the base price plus your markup amount already added.
At the default 20% markup on a Classic T-Shirt: $27.79 base × 20% = $5.56 markup. Retail price = $33.35. Gross earnings per sale = $5.56. However, this is the gross figure before Redbubble's platform fees are applied - and those fees are massive.
Retail Price = Base Price + Gross Markup
Net Earnings = Gross Markup - Excess Markup Fee - Platform Fee
The 2025 Account Tier Fee Structure
Effective September 1, 2025, Redbubble introduced an account tier system that drastically reduced monthly earnings. This was a huge change to how Redbubbles artist income worked, and effectively takes 50% of every sellers income.
- Standard tier - A 50% platform service fee is deducted from your earnings every month. If you earn $100 gross in a month, you only get half.
- Premium tier - A 20% platform service fee now applies. On $100 gross monthly earnings, you only get to keep $80.
- Pro tier - No platform service fee. You keep 100% of your markup earnings (subject to the excess markup fee described below).
A $150 per month cap on fees applies to Standard and Premium accounts, which provides some protection, but only for higher-volume sellers. To see which tier your account is on, visit your Account Tiers page while logged into Redbubble.
The Excess Markup Fee Explained
In addition to the monthly platform fee, Standard and Premium accounts also have to pay an excess markup fee on any products where their markup is higher than 20%. As we all know, stickers require a large markup in order to make any sales, but this now triggers the excess markup fee for Redbubble to take another cut of your money.
The excess markup fee is 50% of the earnings generated by markup above 20%. So, for example, at a 30% markup on a $27.79 product: the total markup is $8.34. The first 20% worth ($5.56) will not be hit by the excess fee. The additional 10% worth ($2.78) is subject to a 50% fee, reducing it to $1.39. Your net markup per sale before the monthly platform fee is $5.56 + $1.39 = $6.95 rather than the gross $8.34. Pro tier accounts don't have to pay this fee.
Gross vs. Net: What You Actually Take Home
Our calculator will show the complete waterfall of fees that Redbubble is inflicting on their loyal sellers - a line-by-line breakdown of how gross markup becomes net monthly income. There is no other Redbubble royalty calculator that clearly shows the excess markup fee per sale and the monthly platform fee separately.
| Scenario | Gross / Sale | Excess Fee | Net / Sale | Platform Fee (30 sales) | Net Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard, 20% markup | $5.56 | $0.00 | $5.56 | 50% = $83.40 | $83.40 |
| Standard, 30% markup | $8.34 | $1.39 | $6.95 | 50% = $104.25 | $104.25 |
| Premium, 20% markup | $5.56 | $0.00 | $5.56 | 20% = $33.36 | $133.44 |
| Pro, 20% markup | $5.56 | $0.00 | $5.56 | $0.00 | $166.80 |
Classic T-Shirt ($27.79 base), 30 sales/month. The Pro tier retains more than twice the monthly income of Standard at the same markup percentage.
Tips for Redbubble Artists
Understand Your Tier Before Setting Prices
The fee difference between Standard and Pro is pretty huge. On 30 sales at 20% markup, a Standard artist keeps $83 while a Pro artist keeps $167. If you're in the Standary Tier, which most of us are, base all your income calculations on that. Redbubble will likely keep you in this tier permanently to continue taking 50% of your sales.
On Standard Tier, Keep an Eye on the Markup Fee Above 20%
Raising your markup on any product above 20% on a Standard account simply isn't worth it in most cases. The excess markup fee (50% on earnings above 20%) combines with the 50% platform fee applied on top, meaning a huge portion of your income now goes into Redbubble's pocket. Keep your markup below 20% to avoid these extra fees and hopefully make it up with additional sales.
Use the Custom Product Option
This calculator includes a custom base price input, which lets you to calculate earnings for any product in Redbubble's catalog - including any items not listed in the dropdown. The dropdown list would simply be too long if we listed every single item. Find the base price in your Redbubble account and enter it in the generator for an accurate calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Redbubble calculate artist earnings?
Redbubble artist earnings are your markup percentage applied to the base production cost of each product. From your gross markup, Redbubble now deducts an excess markup fee (if your markup exceeds 20% and you are on Standard or Premium tier) calculated per sale, and then a monthly platform service fee (50% for Standard, 20% for Premium, 0% for Pro).
What is Redbubble's platform service fee?
Introduced September 2025, the platform service fee is a massive monthly fee which is: 50% for Standard accounts, 20% for Premium, nothing for Pro. A $150/month cap applies to Standard and Premium accounts, which doesn't help smaller sellers in the least. The fee is applied to total monthly net earnings after any per-sale excess markup fees.
What is the Redbubble excess markup fee?
The excess markup fee applies to every sale for people in the Standard or Premium account who set a markup price above 20%. You lose 50% of the earnings generated by the markup portion exceeding 20%, calculated per sale. Pro accounts are exempt.
Is Redbubble free to sell on?
Technically, yes. There is no subscription or listing fee, but they will take over 50% of every sale you make.
How do I find my Redbubble account tier?
Log in to your Redbubble account and check your Account Tiers page at redbubble.com/account/account_tiers. This shows your current tier, the associated fee rate, and requirements to possibly move to a higher tier.
Pillows, framed art, wall tapestries & posters earn 10%. All other products earn 5%. Shipping fees are no longer deducted from earnings.
Society6 made some huge changes in favor of artists in March 2025 by removing shipping cost deductions from artist earnings. Combined with its two-tier rate structure - 10% for selected premium products and 5% for everything else, it's now very easy to understand exactly how much you'll earn per sale. This calculator uses the current post-March 2025 rate structure to give you accurate rates.
Contents
How Society6 Artist Earnings Work
Society6 is a print-on-demand marketplace where artists upload designs that will get printed on a range of products to be sold to customer. These range from art prints and framed artwork to clothing, homewares, and accessories. You do not get to your own markup. Society6 sets all retail prices and pays artists a fixed percentage from every sale.
There are no complex fee structures, no markup decisions, and no minimum prices to work out. Society6 handles everything - production, fulfillment, customer service, and returns. You simply focus on creating and uploading designs.
The March 2025 Rate Change
Prior to March 18, 2025, Society6 artist earnings were calculated after shipping costs were deducted from the sale price, which reduced what artists would actually make. This was confusing for sellers. The shipping costs varied, and it was not made clear how much you would actually earn.
But from March 18, 2025, Society6 eliminated this charge. Artist earnings are now calculated on the full retail price, with no shipping costs removed. This makes a big positive change to sellers income and was a very welcome move.
The 10% and 5% Product Categories
Society6 pays two artist rates depending on what category the product fits into. Understanding which products earn 10% versus 5% is important for prioritizing which items you want to feature and promote.
| Product Category | Artist Rate | Example Retail Price | Example Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% Artist Rate Products | |||
| Art Print (A3) | 10% | $26.60 | $2.66 |
| Framed Art Print | 10% | $62.40 | $6.24 |
| Rectangle Pillow | 10% | $39.00 | $3.90 |
| Wall Tapestry | 10% | $55.00 | $5.50 |
| Poster | 10% | $18.00 | $1.80 |
| 5% Artist Rate Products | |||
| T-Shirt | 5% | $32.00 | $1.60 |
| Hoodie | 5% | $68.00 | $3.40 |
| Mug (11 oz) | 5% | $21.00 | $1.05 |
| Phone Case | 5% | $37.00 | $1.85 |
| Tote Bag | 5% | $28.00 | $1.40 |
Approximate retail prices. Earnings calculated at post-March 2025 rates with no shipping deduction.
Tips for Society6 Artists
Prioritize 10% Rate Products
A framed art print earning $6.24 per sale gives you nearly four times the per-sale income of a t-shirt at $1.60, for the exact same design upload. If your artwork would look good as wall art, then featuring art prints, framed prints, and tapestries prominently in your shop is the best way to increase your profits.
Volume Drives Income on 5% Products
For 5% products like apparel and accessories, earnings per sale are pretty low. You'll need to build a large catalog with many designs to increase your organic discovery. Society6's search shows products based on relevance and freshness, so regularly uploading new designs can help you to maintain visibility and increase your sales.
Prices Are Set by Society6
You cannot change retail prices on Society6. You can only better your design quality, optimize your titles and descriptions, and try to build a large audience that enjoy your designs. You can use this calculator to calculate your income at different sales volumes and product mixes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Society6 artists earn per sale?
Society6 pays you 10% of the retail price for posters, framed art prints, pillows, and tapestries, and you get paid 5% for all other products. These include apparel, mugs, phone cases, and tote bags. As of March 2025, shipping costs are no longer deducted from your earnings.
Did Society6 change its royalty rates in 2025?
The percentage rates themselves (10% and 5%) were not changed. What changed in March 2025 is that shipping costs, which were previously taken from your earnings, are now no longer deducted. Artists automatically make more per sale now.
Which Society6 products earn 10%?
The 10% rate applies to posters, framed art prints, rectangle pillows, square pillows, and wall tapestries. All other products, including t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases, laptop sleeves, and tote bags, will earn you 5%.
Can Society6 artists set their own prices?
No. Society6 sets all retail prices. Artists cannot adjust pricing or set their own markups. Income is determined entirely by sales volume and the mix of different products in your shop.
Is Society6 free for artists?
Yes. There are no fees, subscriptions, or listing costs for Society6.
Enter the base (production) price shown for your specific product in Zazzle's product editor.
Higher royalty raises the retail price. Zazzle recommends 10–25%.
Zazzle gives their designers more control over pricing than almost every other print-on-demand platform adn marketplace. Your royalty rates can be set anywhere from 5% to 99%. But this also makes Zazzle a more confusing platfrom because of that. Transaction fees apply at certain royalty levels, and your retail price scales directly with the rate you choose. It's very confusing on its face. This calculator will do all the background calculations for you and shows your true earnings per sale at different royalty rates, including the 5% transaction fee that every other calculator ignores.
Contents
How Zazzle Royalties Work
Zazzle uses a royalty-above-base-price model. Every product in Zazzle's catalog has a base production price that is set by them. As a designer/seller, you choose a royalty rate percentage, and Zazzle will then add that percentage of the base price to the retail price as your royalty. Whenever you make a sale, you earn that royalty amount.
Retail Price = Base Price + Royalty Amount
Net Earnings = Royalty Amount - Transaction Fee (if applicable)
For example, with a base price of $16.95 and a 15% royalty rate set: royalty = $2.54, retail price = $19.49. A higher royalty rate will mean more earnings per sale but also a higher retail price for customers, which could make them look elsewhere. Zazzle recommends setting royalties between 10% and 25% to keep prices down and get more sales.
The 5% Transaction Fee
Zazzle applies a 5% transaction fee on the retail price whenever you set a royalty rate that is equal to or higher than 15%. This fee is not clearly shown upfront and is missing from most third-party Zazzle royalty calculators. But it makes a huge difference in your earnings.
This means that royalty rates just at or above 15% will give you lower net earnings than rates just below it, even though the gross royalty is higher:
| Royalty Rate | Base Price | Retail Price | Gross Royalty | Transaction Fee (5%) | Net Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14% | $16.95 | $19.32 | $2.37 | $0.00 | $2.37 |
| 15% | $16.95 | $19.49 | $2.54 | $0.97 | $1.57 |
| 20% | $16.95 | $20.34 | $3.39 | $1.02 | $2.37 |
| 25% | $16.95 | $21.19 | $4.24 | $1.06 | $3.18 |
At 15% royalty, net earnings after the transaction fee are equal to those at 14% with no fee. You need to reach approximately 20% before meaningfully exceeding the 14% net earnings level.
Using a Custom Base Price
Unlike calculators with fixed product dropdowns that quickly go out of date, our Zazzle calculator lets you enter any base price directly. Zazzle's catalog has thousands of products in it, including t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, posters, business cards, invitations, home decor, etc. - each with a different base price that Zazzle updates every so often.
To find the base price for any product, open it in Zazzle's product editor. The base price is shown before any royalty markup is added on. Enter that number into the calculator to get an accurate royalty estimate at whatever rate you choose.
Tips for Zazzle Designers
Consider the 14% vs 15% Decision Carefully
As shown in the table above, jumping from 14% to 15% will lower your earnings because of that transaction fee. Use this calculator with your specific product's base price to see the exact net difference before deciding on what rate you'll go with. The break-even point where 15%+ rates become worthwhile is approximately 20%.
Higher Rates Work Better for Premium Products
The transaction fee is a flat percentage of the retail price, so its impact reduces as your royalty grows. At a 25% or higher royalty rates, you earn much more per sale even after the fee.
Promotional Sales Protect Your Royalty
Zazzle often runs platform-wide sales and promotions. Your royalties are not affected by these events. The discounts come out of Zazzle's pocket, not yours. Setting a moderate royalty rate can help your products sell better during these promotional promotional periods while still protecting your per-sale earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Zazzle calculate royalties?
Zazzle royalties are calculated as a percentage of the base production price. You set your own royalty rate (5% to 99%), and Zazzle adds the resulting royalty amount to the base price to get the final retail price. When your make a sale, you get the royalty amount minus any transaction fees.
What is the Zazzle transaction fee?
They charge a 5% transaction fee whenever you set a product with a royalty rate of 15% or higher. This fee is taken from your earnings. At royalty rates below 15%, there are no transaction fees.
What royalty rate should I set on Zazzle?
Zazzle recommends 10% to 25% for most products. Setting 14% will help you avoid the transaction fee completely. If you want to go above 14%, you need to push it up to at least 20% to cover the loss you'll make from the transaction fee.
Is Zazzle free for designers?
Yes. There are no subscription fees or listing costs to sell products on Zazzle. You earn royalties on sales, and Zazzle earns revenue from its base production price, as well as the newly added transaction fee.
Where do I find the base price for a Zazzle product?
Open the product in Zazzle's product editor or designer tool. You'll see the base production price listed there.
Plus and Premium require ≥10 US sales/month. Tier recalculates monthly based on trailing 2-month non-organic traffic average.
Royalty Tiers (US store only):
• Creator - standard rate (default)
• Plus - 2x Creator rate; requires ≥15% non-organic traffic & 10+ sales/month
• Premium - 2.16x Creator rate; requires ≥35% non-organic traffic & 10+ sales/month
Learn more about royalty tiers →
Merch by Amazon lets you sell print-on-demand products on the world's largest shopping platforms without needing any inventory or taking care of shipping. But understanding exactly how much you make per sale requires a more advanced calculator. This guide explains how Merch by Amazon royalties work, what the June 2026 tier changes mean for your earnings, and how to use this calculator to price your products better, and earn more.
Contents
How Merch by Amazon Royalties Work
When a customer buys one of your products, Amazon prints and ships it, then pays you a royalty based on the price that you set it at.
Unlike Redbubble or Zazzle where you add your markup on top of a base price, MBA royalties come from product-specific formulas that are based on Amazon's published royalty tables. Amazon's costs that cover materials, production, fulfillment, customer service, and returns, are all factored into this price, and you keep whatever's left.
For example, a Standard T-Shirt listed at $19.99 will let you earn about $2.44. The same shirt at $23.99 will let you earn about $3.92 - an increase of $1.48 on a $4.00 price rise.
The Creator, Plus, and Premium Tier System
Effective from 1 June 2026, Merch by Amazon introduced a three-tier royalty system for US store sales. Your tier is determined by how much of your sales volume comes from non-organic traffic, which is any traffic driven by you through ads, social media, or other promotional activity that you do to get eyes on your products.
- Creator - This is the default tier for all sellers. This puts you at the baseline royalty rate.
- Plus - Earns exactly 2× the Creator rate, but requires at least 15% of your sales to come from non-organic traffic, with a minimum of 10 sales per month in the US store.
- Premium - Earns exactly 2.16× the Creator rate, but requires at least 35% of unit sales from non-organic traffic, with the same 10 sales/month minimum.
Your tier is recalculated monthly based on a trailing two-month average of non-organic traffic performance. When your tier changes, it may take up to two business days after the start of the earnings period for the new rate to apply.
| Product | List Price | Creator Royalty | Plus (2×) | Premium (2.16×) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard T-Shirt | $19.99 | $2.44 | $4.88 | $5.27 |
| Standard T-Shirt | $23.99 | $3.92 | $7.84 | $8.47 |
| Pullover Hoodie | $35.99 | $3.95 | $7.90 | $8.53 |
| Sweatshirt | $31.99 | $2.56 | $5.12 | $5.53 |
| Tote Bag | $18.99 | $1.43 | $2.86 | $3.09 |
Approximate royalties at selected price points. US store, post-June 2026 rates. Plus and Premium royalties are exact multiples of the Creator rate.
Products and Royalty Ranges
This calculator has calculations for all 28 current Merch by Amazon product types, including apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, tank tops, v-necks, raglans, Comfort Colors and performance lines), accessories (baseball hats, trucker hats, sun visors, PopSocket grips, phone cases), and home goods (tote bags, throw pillows, tumblers, water bottles, mugs).
Each product has a different cost structure, which means royalty rates vary significantly across the catalog. Premium product lines like Comfort Colors have higher production costs than standard items, which means lower royalties at similar prices. When changing products in this calculator, the default listing price automatically updates to a typical market price for that particular product, giving you a realistic starting price point to work from.
Tips for Maximizing Your Merch by Amazon Earnings
Drive Traffic to Move Up Tiers
The best way to increase royalties is by qualifying for Plus or Premium tier. Doubling your per-sale royalty (Plus) has a buch bigger effect than any reasonable price increase that you could make. Running Amazon Ads, building social media audiences, or creating content that links to your listings are the easiest and best ways to get non-organic traffic to your products.
Find the Minimum Viable Price for Each Product
Every product has a price below which the royalty drops to near zero. Use this calculator to find that floor before listing. Pricing at exactly the minimum is a very bad idea, but knowing it prevents the common mistake of listing too low and forgetting about it when Amazon increases their prices next.
Diversify Across Product Types
Standard t-shirts are the most popular product but are also the most competitive category to be in. Building a catalog across multiple product types - hoodies, sweatshirts, tote bags, mugs - gives you a better chance to rank in the algorithm.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Merch by Amazon royalties calculated?
MBA royalties are calculated using product-specific linear formulas taken from royalty tables published by Amazon. Amazon's production, fulfillment, and customer service costs are all already factored into this formula.
When do the new MBA tier rates take effect?
The Creator, Plus, and Premium tier structure for the US store took effect on 1 June 2026. Non-US marketplaces were not affected by this change.
How do I qualify for the Plus or Premium royalty tier?
To qualify for Plus, you need to make at least 15% of your US unit sales from non-organic traffic (ads, social media) with a minimum of 10 sales/month. Premium requires you to have at least 35% of your sales come from non-organic traffic with the same minimum number of sales. Tiers are recalculated monthly based on a trailing two-month average.
Does the tier multiplier apply to non-US sales?
No. The Creator/Plus/Premium multiplier system only applies to US store sales. Non-US marketplaces continue on their normal structure.
Is Merch by Amazon free to join?
Yes, but Merch by Amazon is invitation-only. You must apply and wait to see if you're accepted. It often takes months before you get an answer.
Royalty = (Royalty Rate × List Price) − Printing Cost
Enter a page count to see printing cost and royalty estimates.
Knowing exactly what Amazon will charge to print your book, and how much you'll earn, is very important when trying to make a profit online. This guide breaks down every variable in KDP's printing cost formula, covers all 14 marketplaces, and explains how royalty rates, paper type, and distribution choices will affect how much you can earn.
Our free KDP Printing Cost & Royalty Calculator will help you to choose the best options to make your book more profitable. We are the only calculator that you'll find that includes pricing for Groundwood Paper books as well as Expanded Distribution pricing.
Contents
- How KDP Print-on-Demand Works
- The Printing Cost Formula
- Printing Costs by Ink Type
- How Paper Type Affects Cost
- Trim Sizes and Their Impact
- Printing Costs Across All Marketplaces
- KDP Royalty Rates Explained
- Expanded Distribution
- Calculating Your Minimum List Price
- Tips for Maximizing Royalties
- Frequently Asked Questions
How KDP Print-on-Demand Works
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) uses a print-on-demand model, which means no copies of your book are printed or stored in warehouses in advance. When a customer places an order on Amazon, the book is printed at the nearest fulfillment center and then shipped from there directly to them. Amazon then deducts the printing cost from your list price and pays you your royalty.
This means that there's no financial risks from overprinting. You do not pay for any inventory upfront, and you do not lose money on unsold stock. However, the printing costs will reduce what you earn per sale, which makes understanding that cost vitally important before setting any prices.
KDP currently supports print books on 14 Amazon marketplaces across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Each marketplace has its own printing cost structure, royalty threshold, and currency.
The Printing Cost Formula
KDP uses a two-part formula to work out the printing cost of any print book. There is a fixed base cost and, for books that are above a certain page count, a per-page cost that increases with the length of the book.
Royalty = (Royalty Rate x List Price) - Printing Cost
The fixed base cost covers binding, cover printing, and setup, while the per-page rate covers paper and interior ink cost. The specific values will depend on: book format (paperback or hardcover), ink type (black and white, standard color, or premium color), trim size (regular or large), paper type (white, cream, or groundwood), and the marketplace that the book is sold on.
For short books, KDP applies only the fixed base cost. Once a book exceeds 108 pages, for most black and white paperbacks, the per-page rate is also applied.
Printing Costs by Ink Type
KDP has 3 interior ink options for paperbacks, and 2 for hardcovers. Your choice will change the printing costs and therefore the minimum allowed list price.
Black and White (B&W)
Black and white is the lowest-cost option and is great for novels, memoirs, non-fiction, poetry, low-content and puzzle books. On Amazon.com, a B&W paperback with a regular trim pays a flat rate of $2.30 for books up to 108 pages. For books with 110 pages or more, the cost is $1.00 + (page count x $0.012). A 300-page B&W paperback costs $4.60 to print.
Standard Color
Standard color is great for books with color charts, diagrams, or images where photographic quality is not really needed. It is available on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de and other European stores, Amazon.ca, Amazon.pl, and Amazon.se - but not on Amazon.co.jp or Amazon.com.au. Standard color requires you to have a minimum of 72 pages in your book and a maximum of 600 pages. On Amazon.com, the cost is $1.00 + (page count x $0.0255).
Premium Color
Premium color gives you photographic-quality reproduction and is best for children's books, photography books, cookbooks, and art books. On Amazon.com, books of 40 pages or fewer pay a flat rate of $3.60; books with 42 or more pages pay $1.00 + (page count x $0.065). A 300-page premium color paperback costs $20.50 to print, compared to $4.60 for the same book in B&W.
| Ink Type | Format | Short Book Cost | Per-Page Rate | Example: 300 Pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black & White | Paperback | $2.30 (up to 108 pp) | $0.012 | $4.60 |
| Standard Color | Paperback | n/a (min 72 pp) | $0.0255 | $8.65 |
| Premium Color | Paperback | $3.60 (up to 40 pp) | $0.065 | $20.50 |
| Black & White | Hardcover | $6.80 (up to 108 pp) | $0.012 | $9.25 |
| Premium Color | Hardcover | n/a (min 75 pp) | $0.065 | $24.50 |
Amazon.com, regular trim size. Hardcover fixed base for 110+ pages is $5.65. Source: KDP Royalties and Fees.
Figure 1: Printing Cost vs. Page Count by Ink Type
Amazon.com - Paperback - Regular Trim Size
How Paper Type Affects Your Printing Cost
KDP has three interior paper options: white paper, cream paper, and groundwood paper. Paper type affects how your book looks and feels, as well as printing costs.
White Paper
White paper is the standard option, available for all ink types. It gives your pages sharp contrast with black text and is the default for non-fiction, textbooks, workbooks, and color books.
Cream Paper
Cream paper has a slightly warmer tone and is available for black and white interior books only. It is the best choice for fiction as it's easy on the eyes. The printing cost for cream paper is identical to white paper on all marketplaces.
Groundwood Paper
Groundwood paper is a new recycled-fiber paper that KDP has introduced. It is available for black and white interiors only. Groundwood paper has a 5% lower printing cost than white or cream paper. On a 300-page black and white paperback on Amazon.com, this brings the printing cost from $4.60 down to $4.37 - a saving of $0.23 per copy sold. It might not seem like much, but in bulk, this makes a huge difference.
| Paper Type | Ink Compatibility | Cost vs White | Example: 300pp B&W (Amazon.com) |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | All ink types | Standard rate | $4.60 |
| Cream | Black & white only | Same as white | $4.60 |
| Groundwood (Beta) | Black & white only | 5% cheaper | $4.37 |
Paperback, regular trim. Groundwood availability varies by marketplace.
Trim Sizes and Their Impact on Cost
The trim size of your book will affect the per-page printing rate. KDP divides trim sizes into two tiers.
Regular Trim Sizes
Regular trim sizes are any dimensions up to and including 6.12 inches wide by 9 inches tall. These will have lower per-page printing costs. Common regular trim sizes are 5 x 8 in, 5.5 x 8.5 in (the most popular trade paperback format), and 6 x 9 in.
Large Trim Sizes
Large trim sizes exceed 6.12 inches in width or 9 inches in height. On Amazon.com, the B&W per-page rate for regular trim is $0.012 compared to $0.017 for large trim - which is a difference of 42%. For a 300-page book, this means a large trim costs $1.50 more to print. When printing in premium color, that gap widens even more to $4.50 for a 300-page book.
| Trim Size | Tier | Common Use | B&W Per-Page (Amazon.com) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5 x 8.5 in | Regular | Trade paperback (most common) | $0.012 |
| 6 x 9 in | Regular | Non-fiction, business | $0.012 |
| 7 x 10 in | Large | Textbooks, workbooks | $0.017 |
| 8.5 x 8.5 in | Large | Children's books, art books | $0.017 |
| 8.5 x 11 in | Large | Activity books, large print | $0.017 |
Amazon.com B&W paperback per-page rates. Source: KDP Royalties and Fees.
Printing Costs Across All 14 Marketplaces
KDP's printing costs are set independently for each marketplace and are not a simple currency conversion of the US costs. The table below shows printing costs for a 300-page black and white paperback with a regular trim across all marketplaces.
| Marketplace | Currency | Fixed Base (110+pp) | Per-Page Rate (B&W) | 300-Page Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paperback - Black & White - Regular Trim | ||||
| Amazon.com | USD | $1.00 | $0.012 | $4.60 |
| Amazon.co.uk | GBP | £0.85 | £0.010 | £3.85 |
| Amazon.de / .fr / .es / .it / .nl / .com.be / .ie | EUR | €0.75 | €0.012 | €4.35 |
| Amazon.pl | PLN | zł 3.51 | zł 0.056 | zł 20.31 |
| Amazon.se | SEK | kr 8.37 | kr 0.134 | kr 48.57 |
| Amazon.co.jp | JPY | ¥206 | ¥2 | ¥806 |
| Amazon.ca | CAD | CA$1.26 | CA$0.016 | CA$6.06 |
| Amazon.com.au | AUD | A$2.42 | A$0.022 | A$9.02 |
Paperback, 300 pages, black and white interior, regular trim. Source: KDP Royalties and Fees.
KDP Royalty Rates Explained
For print books, KDP has two standard royalty rates: 60% and 50%. The rate you get depends on your book's listing price.
- If your list price is at or above a certain amount, you earn 60% of the list price, minus the printing cost.
- If your list price is below that amount, you earn 50% of the list price, minus the printing cost.
Royalty (50% rate) = (0.50 x List Price) - Printing Cost
Using a 300-page B&W paperback on Amazon.com as an example: printing cost is $4.60 and the threshold is $9.99. At a list price of $14.99, the royalty is (0.60 × $14.99) - $4.60 = $4.39. At $8.99 (below threshold), the royalty is (0.50 × $8.99) - $4.60 = -$0.10 - a loss that KDP would not allow.
Figure 2: Revenue Breakdown per Sale
300-page B&W paperback, Amazon.com, list price $14.99, 60% royalty rate
| Marketplace | 60% Rate Threshold | 50% Rate Below |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com | $9.99 | Below $9.99 |
| Amazon.co.uk | £6.99 | Below £6.99 |
| Amazon.de / .fr / .es / .it / .nl / .com.be / .ie | €9.99 | Below €9.99 |
| Amazon.pl | zł 39.99 | Below zł 39.99 |
| Amazon.se | kr 99.00 | Below kr 99.00 |
| Amazon.co.jp | ¥1,300 | Below ¥1,300 |
| Amazon.ca | CA$12.99 | Below CA$12.99 |
| Amazon.com.au | A$14.99 | Below A$14.99 |
Source: KDP Royalties and Fees.
Expanded Distribution
Expanded Distribution makes your paperback available to retailers, bookstores, libraries, and academic institutions that are not a part of Amazon. This is all done through Ingram's distribution network. Enabling expanded distribution drops your royalty rate to a flat 40% of the list price, minus printing costs. While you make less per book, you're more likely to pick up bulk orders for bookstores.
For the 300-page B&W paperback on Amazon.com (printing cost $4.60), the minimum list price under Expanded Distribution is $4.60 / 0.40 = $11.50, compared to $9.20 at the 50% rate. Expanded Distribution is available for paperbacks only, not for hardcovers.
Calculating Your Minimum List Price
The minimum list price is determined by your printing cost and the royalty rate in effect:
- Standard Distribution (60%): Minimum price = Printing Cost / 0.60. If this falls below the 60% threshold, the minimum is instead Printing Cost / 0.50.
- Expanded Distribution (40%): Minimum price = Printing Cost / 0.40.
| Page Count | Printing Cost | Min Price (Std, 50%) | Price for 60% Rate | Min Price (Expanded, 40%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 pages | $2.30 | $4.60 | $9.99 (threshold) | $5.75 |
| 200 pages | $3.40 | $6.80 | $9.99 (threshold) | $8.50 |
| 300 pages | $4.60 | $9.20 | $9.99 (threshold) | $11.50 |
| 400 pages | $5.80 | $9.67 | $9.99 (threshold) | $14.50 |
| 500 pages | $7.00 | $11.67 | $11.67 (at 60%) | $17.50 |
| 600 pages | $8.20 | $13.67 | $13.67 (at 60%) | $20.50 |
Amazon.com, paperback, black and white interior, regular trim. Values rounded to nearest cent.
Tips for Maximizing KDP Print Royalties
Price for the 60% Royalty Tier
The jump from 50% to 60% royalty makes a very big difference. On a $9.99 book with a $4.60 printing cost, the 50% royalty is $0.40, while the 60% royalty is $1.39 - more than three times as much. If you're confident you'll still make sales, setting your price at or above the marketplace threshold is a very good idea.
Page Count as a Design Choice
Reducing your page count through a tighter layout plan, smaller margins, or a more compact font can lower your printing costs and increase your earnings per book sold. This is particularly useful when you're making premium color books, where each page costs $0.065.
Look at Each Marketplace Independently
The royalty on your primary marketplace may look good, but sales through other marketplaces - particularly Amazon.com.au, which has extremely high printing costs - may generate little to no profit at that price. Our calculator computes the royalty for all 14 marketplaces simultaneously so you can spot any markets where your pricing may be problematic. When publishing your book on Amazon, you can set prices for different marketplaces independently, so you can definitely lower prices in countries with high printing costs.
Consider Using Groundwood Paper
For your books where paper color is not super important, groundwood paper's 5% lower printing costs can make a big difference in your earnings. You're basically making an additional 5% profit for every book sold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the KDP printing cost formula?
KDP printing cost = Fixed Base Cost + (Page Count x Per-Page Rate). The fixed base cost and per-page rate vary by book format (paperback or hardcover), ink type (black and white, standard color, or premium color), trim size (regular or large), and marketplace. For books below a certain number of pages - typically 108 pages - only the fixed base cost applies.
How much does KDP charge per page for black and white paperbacks?
On Amazon.com, KDP charges $0.012 per page for black and white paperbacks in a regular trim size, plus a fixed base cost of $1.00 (for books over 108 pages). For large trim sizes, the per-page rate is $0.017. These rates differ by marketplace: Amazon.co.uk charges £0.010 per page (regular trim), Amazon.de charges €0.012, and Amazon.com.au charges A$0.022.
What is the difference between the 50% and 60% KDP royalty rates?
KDP will pay you 60% of the list price (minus printing cost) when your list price is at or above the marketplace threshold - which is $9.99 on Amazon.com, £6.99 on Amazon.co.uk, €9.99 on most European stores. If your listing price is below this amount, KDP pays you 50% of the list price minus printing cost.
What royalty rate does Expanded Distribution pay?
Expanded Distribution pays a flat 40% of the list price, minus the printing costs, regardless of your list price. Sales through Amazon itself are not affected and continue to use the standard 50%/60% rate structure. You do reach a larger audience and open yourself up to bulk orders from bookstores.
Is groundwood paper cheaper on KDP?
Yes. Groundwood paper is 5% cheaper in printing costs compared to white or cream paper. Groundwood is only available for black and white interiors.
Does cream paper cost more than white paper on KDP?
No. Cream paper and white paper cost the same to print.Cream paper is only available for black and white interiors.
What is the minimum page count for a KDP paperback?
The minimum page count for a KDP paperback with black and white or premium color interior is 24 pages. Standard color paperbacks require you to have a minimum of 72 pages. The maximum for any paperback is 828 pages. Hardcovers need you to have a minimum of 75 pages and a maximum of 550 pages.
Is KDP Expanded Distribution available for hardcovers?
No. KDP Expanded Distribution is not currently available for harcovers. Hardcover books are sold exclusively through Amazon's own marketplaces.