How to Format a Book for IngramSpark: Complete Guide (2024)

IngramSpark has long been the leading alternative to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Print for print-on-demand books. This is especially true if you are not exclusive to Amazon.

While this is not a comparison of IngramSpark to Amazon KDP print, most authors choose to use IngramSpark because of its expanded distribution channels (which make it much easier to put your print book in a bookstore), as well as its hardcovers.

Note: Amazon does offer hardcover books now, but there are significantly fewer options than what IngramSpark offers, such as a dust jacket. IngramSpark also provides case laminate options, where pages are glued to a hardcover at the ends, and jacketed case laminate, which includes a design option for the cover beneath a jacket.

One downside of IngramSpark that I often hear authors mention is the formatting process. In order to format a print book, you'll need completely different book cover templates, and know what you're doing when formatting the interior of your book as well.

Hint: there is a tool I recommend that will make the interior portion easier for you to format specifically for IngramSpark, but much of this can be done in other formatting programs as well.

Why You Should Trust Me

So I've been writing and formatting books for a long time. 10+ years as of this writing.

But I actually found formatting to be a huge pain, which is why I actually created my own formatting software that solved all my problems. I called it Atticus.

But this isn't meant to be a sales pitch. I just want to make sure it's clear that I know what I'm talking about. The amount of research that went into not only formatting my own books, but also creating a formatting software is huge.

I researched everything, from tiny margin requirements, to the specific type of quotes to use (curly or straight, it makes a difference).

And yes, of course, that includes how to format specifically for IngramSpark.

So if all that makes sense, hopefully you'll come along with me as show you everything I've learned.1

Understanding IngramSpark

IngramSpark is a leading self-publishing platform that empowers authors to print and distribute their books to a vast network of retailers and libraries. Whether you’re looking to create a paperback, hardcover, or ebook, IngramSpark offers the tools and resources you need to produce professional-quality books. One of the standout features of IngramSpark is its extensive distribution network, which makes it easier for your print book to reach bookstores and libraries worldwide.

The platform provides a range of helpful tools, including a cover template generator and detailed interior formatting guidelines, to ensure your book meets industry standards. With IngramSpark, you can choose from various book formats and sizes, giving you the flexibility to create a book that aligns with your vision. Whether you’re a seasoned author or new to self-publishing, IngramSpark’s comprehensive resources and support can help you navigate the formatting and publishing process with confidence.

How Do I Format My Book for IngramSpark?

We have a lot of other pointers on how to format a book for your print edition, so I won't go over all of the nitty-gritty details here.

Instead, let me introduce you to Atticus, which is (and I'm somewhat biased here) the best book formatting software on the Internet.

Atticus will help you format your book specifically for IngramSpark trim sizes.

As you go, you will see that IngramSpark-compatible print sizes are clearly labeled, so you can easily know if that size is supported or not.

Then it's a simple matter of exporting your book after you've clicked the correct trim size, and voilà, your book is ready to be uploaded to IngramSpark. Small format trim sizes are available for both hardcover and paperback books, offering different ink and paper choices for the US and UK markets.

Now, of course, there are more steps to take to create a beautiful book, and I will refer you to my How to Format a Book and Parts of the Book hubs to learn more, but actually creating the correct size, margins, and layout for IngramSpark is relatively simple.

File Requirements for IngramSpark

To make sure that your experience with IngramSpark runs smoothly, there are a few file requirements that you should be aware of.

What File Format Does IngramSpark Use? For creating a print book, IngramSpark uses PDF files only. This includes the interior file and the book cover file.

The Interior Files

Thankfully, Atticus takes care of what you need for the interior, but it's important to know the details just in case something goes wrong and you have to resubmit.

IngramSpark currently requires the following:

• It must be a separate file formatted as a PDF
• It should not include crop, registration, or printer marks
• All fonts need to be embedded
• The final page should be blank
• Margins are a minimum of 0.5″ (13mm) from the edges
• The gutter margin adds an additional .125″ (3mm) to the inside edge
• For color, you must include CMYK images at 72ppi or higher

But don't worry if you have an issue with any of these. You can always make corrections and reupload a new file.

The Book Cover

The Book Cover is the trickiest part of creating your book for print on IngramSpark. If you've formatted a cover for KDP Print, unfortunately, those templates will not work.

A full color laminated cover is an excellent option for paperback books, enhancing both their aesthetic appeal and durability.

Here are the file requirements for your book cover:

• It must be a separate PDF from the interior
• Barcodes are mandatory
• The resolution should be 300ppi
• The color space should ve CMYK
• The Bleed is .125 (3mm) on all four sides except for hardcover files which are larger at .625 (16mm)
• You cannot have spine text for works with a pagecount below 48

To make sure your cover fits the cover requirements, start by visiting the cover template generator to get your template. Fill out all of the information and it will send you an email with your template file.

Here is an example of a template I downloaded for a hardcover book. This hardcover had a dust jacket, so it had extra space to add images/lettering on the inside flaps.

Once you have this template, you can modify your book cover to fit. Make sure all of your titles are centered correctly, that your ISBN is in the right place, etc. If you're proficient with a program like Photoshop, you can do this yourself, otherwise I would ask your book cover designer to do it for you.

Choosing Your Book’s Trim Size

Selecting the right trim size for your book is a crucial step in the publishing process. The trim size not only affects the physical appearance of your book but also plays a role in the reader’s experience. IngramSpark offers a variety of trim sizes for both paperbacks and hardcovers, including popular options like 6 x 9 inches and 5.5 x 8.5 inches.

When deciding on a trim size, consider the genre of your book and your target audience. For instance, a romance novel might be more appealing in a smaller, more portable size, while a comprehensive non-fiction book might benefit from a larger trim size to accommodate more detailed content and images. Additionally, think about the overall design and layout of your book. A well-chosen trim size can enhance the readability and aesthetic appeal of your book, making it more attractive to potential readers.

How to Upload Your Print Book to IngramSpark

The process to upload your print book to IngramSpark will depend on what type of book you're trying to upload. A hardcover will have a slightly different process than a paperback. However, IngramSpark walks you through the process, and I'll give you a brief walkthrough here as well.

Hardcover books printed through IngramSpark offer unique features and textures, such as matte and gloss finishes, and their Digital Cloth™ Cover, which provides a subtle, cloth-like appearance.

Note: for the purposes of this article, I created a hardcover with a dust jacket. This article also assumes that you already have your interior and book cover files ready.

Step 1: Start the Process

After you create an account and log in to your dashboard, you'll be prompted to “Upload a Title”. 

You can select Print & Ebook, Print Only, and Ebook Only (you only need the print, ebooks should be done directly through Amazon and other vendors). 

Step 2: Additional Options

Next, it will ask you if your files are ready (if not, go back and finish before coming back to this step).

It will then ask you if you have specific files for your interior and exterior. Go ahead and check those off.

Then it will ask you if you want to print, distribute, and sell the book, or only print the book. If you're planning to sell this print book at any retailer, go ahead and select the former.

Step 3: Title Information

This is where you upload the basic info about your book, including title, author, categories, description, etc. The prompts here are well laid out so once you've filled out all the information, go ahead and hit “Continue.”

Step 4: Print Information

In the next step, you select all your print details, such as your trim size, the color of the paper, the type of binding (paperback or hardback), your page count, etc. This is also where you will fill out the prices for your book, depending on which market they're in.

Step 5: Upload

Now for the moment of truth. In the next tab it will prompt you to upload your interior and book cover PDFs. Once this is done, you move on to the Validation stage, which will automatically check for errors.

Assuming all is well, you can move on to payment.

Book Design and Formatting Tips

Creating a visually appealing and well-formatted book is essential to capturing the attention of readers and standing out in the competitive self-publishing market. Here are some key design and formatting tips to help you create a professional-looking book.

Book Design Principles

When designing your book, keep these principles in mind:

• Keep it simple: A clean and uncluttered design is often more effective. Avoid overloading your pages with too many elements.
• Use high-quality images: Ensure that any images you use are high-resolution and relevant to your book’s content. This will enhance the overall quality and professionalism of your book.
• Choose the right font: Select a font that is easy to read and appropriate for your book’s genre. Consistency in font usage throughout the book is also important.
• Use color effectively: Color can be a powerful tool in book design. Use it to highlight important elements and make your book more visually appealing, but be careful not to overdo it.

DIY Book Design and Formatting

If you’re working with a limited budget or prefer a hands-on approach, there are plenty of resources available to help you design and format your book yourself:

• Use a template: IngramSpark offers a variety of templates for both book covers and interiors. These templates can provide a solid foundation for your design.
• Use design software: Tools like Canva and Adobe InDesign are excellent for creating professional-quality book covers and interiors. They offer a range of features that can help you achieve the look you want.
• Follow IngramSpark’s guidelines: Adhering to IngramSpark’s formatting and design guidelines is crucial to ensure your book meets their requirements. This includes paying attention to details like margins, bleed requirements, and file formats.

By following these tips and utilizing the resources available, you can create a beautifully designed and well-formatted book that meets IngramSpark’s standards and appeals to your readers.

Do You Publish on IngramSpark?

Have you published through IngramSpark before? What was your experience and did you find the formatting options intuitive?

Let me know on my contact page because I love to hear any information you have that could help us improve these articles.

Happy writing!