In today’s publishing world, independent authors have more options than ever when it comes to printing and distributing their books. While platforms like Amazon offer convenience and reach, they may not always provide the best solution for every writer—especially those who value creative control, quality, and fair compensation.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some popular choices among indie authors, including Amazon and BookBaby, and introduce another flexible solution that many are now choosing: working directly with experienced international printers like us at Call2Print.
📦 Amazon KDP: Pros and Cons
Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is one of the most recognized self-publishing platforms. Its biggest advantage is visibility—authors can tap into Amazon’s massive global customer base. It’s also relatively fast and easy to get started.
However, many authors have expressed concerns:
- Low royalties: After production, fulfillment, and Amazon’s commission, authors often keep only a small portion of the sale.
- Print quality: Especially for children’s books or color-rich projects, the paper and print quality may not meet expectations.
- Lack of ownership: Authors may lose some control over how their books are printed and distributed.
- Exclusivity: In some cases, Amazon requires exclusivity, limiting an author’s ability to sell elsewhere.
🖨️ Why Some Authors Choose BookBaby
Platforms like BookBaby offer a middle ground. They allow authors to maintain more control, offer better print quality, and distribute through multiple online bookstores. Some benefits include:
- Higher royalties compared to Amazon
- Turnkey services like ISBN registration, layout help, and distribution
- Print-on-demand or bulk printing options
However, BookBaby can still be expensive—especially for full-color or hardcover books—and fulfillment fees can reduce margins for authors with modest sales volume.
🌍 An Alternative: Custom Printing with Call2Print
At Call2Print, we’ve worked with independent authors, illustrators, and small publishers around the world. Here’s why more and more are choosing us as their print partner:
- Exceptional quality: From board books to hardcover coffee table books, we use premium paper and materials tailored to each project.
- Affordable pricing: Our prices are often 35–55% lower than many U.S.-based printing platforms.
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service: We take care of all logistics—printing, shipping, customs, and delivery—so your books arrive directly at your door or warehouse without hidden costs.
- Flexible quantities: Whether you need 100 or 5,000 copies, we offer batch printing that fits your needs and budget.
- Personal service: We work closely with each author to ensure a smooth process from file submission to delivery.
🤝 No One-Size-Fits-All
Every author has unique goals. Some may prioritize speed and exposure; others may care more about quality, price, and long-term ownership. That’s why we don’t judge any platform—Amazon, BookBaby, IngramSpark, or others—they each have their place in today’s publishing ecosystem.
But if you’re an independent author looking for a trusted print partner to support your vision and give you more control over quality and cost, we’d love to talk.