The Best Print on Demand Company in 2025 for Paperback Books - Comparing Self-Publishing Companies

The Best Print on Demand Company in 2025 for Paperback Books - Comparing Self-Publishing with Amazon KDP, IngramSpark & more // Two years ago I released a video comparing the most popular print on demand companies available to indie authors. Since then, a few things have changed in the self-publishing industry, so it was time for an updated video. Today we will be comparing these five self-publishing companies: Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press, Lulu Publishing and Draft2Digital. For this comparison, we will only be talking about paperback books (not hardcover or ebooks). We will be judging these print on demand companies by the following criteria: cost to print, cost to publish and make updates, the uploading process, book royalties, print quality, print options, user-friendliness, customer service and of course, distribution. So let's decide, what's the best print on demand company out there right now?

LINKS MENTIONED:

IN THIS VIDEO:
0:00 - Intro
4:00 - Cost to print
4:41 - Cost to publish
7:17 - The uploading process
18:24 - Royalties
21:00 - Print quality
25:42 - Print options
28:49 - User-friendliness
30:45 - Customer service
36:47 - Distribution
39:41 - Who's the best print on demand company in 2025?

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Content for writers: @mandilynnwrites
Content for readers: @authormandilynnbell

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Mandi Lynn published her first novel when she was seventeen. The author of multiple books, Mandi spends her days continuing to write and creating YouTube videos to help other writers achieve their dreams of seeing their books published. Mandi is the owner of Stone Ridge Books, a company that works to help authors bring their books to life through cover design and digital book marketing. She is also the creator of The Book Launch Planner, a planner designed to help authors publish and market their books. When she’s not creating, you can find Mandi exploring her backyard or getting lost in the woods.

#bookpublishing #selfpublishing #kindledirectpublishing

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links. By purchasing a linked product or service, Mandi Lynn will receive a small commission at no additional fee to you.

[lydiawoodward]

I would love a breakdown on hardcovers. This was amazing! Thank you!!

[Cody-]

As a new writer working on getting my book finished this year I always viewed publishing as an intimidating beast. You have cleared away all the fears that come with facing the unkown and I am now super comfortable going forward. You have my deepest gratitude

[AutumnCarufelAJBCPhotography]

This was incredible. Thank you!!! Looking forward to a hardcover version!!

[brittanymaynard]

Ingramspark just came out with 85% royalties for ebooks, so I would love an ebook version of this!!! 😍

[KevinHall-uxhn]

Thank you for your information. Personally, I had books printed by a few different companies, and I have ordered more printing from a couple of them. Having been in the print business, my company sold software solutions to printers as well as large companies that had their own print centers, I can tell you firsthand there are a lot of differences in print and final production quality occurring in print runs - from run to run, day to day, month to month etc.. Everything from the quality of the supplies they buy - paper, ink, toner, etc. to the weather of the day - too hot, too humid, etc, to the finishing operator who trims the book to final sizing. All of this will affect the final printed copy.

People need to remember that printing represents a 'point in time' result. However, with that said, things like printing options, print pricing, distribution, change costs, and customer service are extremely important.

Thank for the video as these parts of the overall book production and follow up that are often overlooked by authors.

[dragonmomma]

Thank you for breaking this down for us and all this extremely hardcore breakdown on the different publishers! I have only used KDP which is who I plan to use for my updated relaunch and next in my series. Thanks again, Mandi!

[winnmiller]

Great video Mandi and THANKS for all the hard work that you put into it...🎉🎉🎉!!!

I have used KDP and my novel is still on that platform.

My main problem with KDP though, is that CRAZY 'Not for Purchase' banner they have to put on your cover (before you fully publish it).

It really mars the cover and in a way, it's like they're defacing it.

That's why I like to use Barnes and Noble Press too, so I can see how my cover really looks.

Again, great video Mandi...🤩🤩🤩!!!

[JKSwiftWrites]

Fantastic work Mandi! It got you a new subscriber. Seriously, thanks for this. I'd love to see a hardcover version.

[queenofswordspodcast]

Where I think that Lulu really blows everyone else out of the water is if you are printing coloring books. Their 60# paper holds up amazing to copics, markers, etc where KDP in particular has terrible paper quality for coloring.

[lyndanickerson]

Thank you very much for this informative video on publishing paperbacks. I would be interested in a video on publishing hardcover books.

[Orchidaceous]

Thank you so much for making this video! It’s invaluable to have someone with a lot of knowledge on the topic investigate and compare these things. 👍

[vkcmovimg]

Thanks!!! Looking forward to your Hardcover self-publishing comparisons 😊

[TView-ewhc]

Thanks for this video, it was very helpful. Can you show hardcovers quality ?

[ronaldsieber]

Mandi Lynn: I enjoyed your incisive overview and will look into the related videos specific to various publishers. Like many who have commented, I would be interested in your take on hardback P.o.D.
My Question(s): Have you recently tested the same companies for P.o.D. illustrated books? Specifically, children's books? If not, would you be able to do that or refer me to someone who has?
Many thanks - keep up the good work!

[ksenijapopovic]

Hi. I bought and read your five little books on self-publishing. And while they are very useful, they really, really need to be proofread!
All the best.

[writingruralwithalley]

Thanks for all the great information. I don't remember hearing you mention that Draft 2 Digital bought Self Pub Book Cover. The link between them might be something to touch on in a future episode. 🙂

[re-ika]

And I've been meaning to rewatch your older one but here's a new one. ^^

[Sisanf]

So so useful! Thanks for putting in the work and creating this!

[writethroughtheheart]

Thank you so so much! This is invaluable information!

[susanedwards]

I would love information on where to print the hardcover. I agree that KDP is not the best. I did not like how my cookbook came out. I love your videos. They have been invaluable.