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Self Publishing Platform Comparison: KDP vs IngramSpark vs B&N | Affordable Book Publishing Guide

Self-Publishing Platform Comparisons: KDP vs IngramSpark vs B&N

Your Guide to Self Publishing, Book Illustration & Personalized Gifts

KDP vs IngramSpark vs Barnes & Noble Press: Which Self-Publishing Platform Is Best for You?

Self-publishing offers authors incredible opportunities to share their stories with readers worldwide. With so many options—like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Barnes & Noble Press—choosing the right platform can feel overwhelming. Understanding how to navigate amazon publishing and other self publishing companies amazon is key to a successful launch.

At Blueberry Illustrations, a leading children's book illustration agency, we provide affordable children's book illustration services and help authors buy illustration or hire illustrators for hire for every project. Whether you need a custom book cover design, guidance on children's book formatting service, or want to publish book on amazon, our illustrator company supports you from concept to completion.

We also assist in finding the perfect book covers of children's books and connect you with professionals who know exactly how to find a book cover designer or hire a designer for your project. Working with Blueberry Illustrations ensures your book with illustration stands out, giving you confidence in your book publishing service and self publishing services. From illustration to final design, our team makes it easy to bring your vision to life while successfully navigating the world of amazon self publishing company.

Choosing the right self publishing company can make or break your book’s success. From Amazon self publishing company options to niche platforms, understanding costs, royalties, and distribution is key for first-time authors and seasoned author illustrators alike.

At Blueberry Illustrations, one of the best book illustration companies, we help authors navigate their publishing journey with the right support, illustrations, and platform strategy. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide.

💡 Why Your Publishing Platform Matters

The platform you choose can affect your book’s print quality, pricing, discoverability, and even how many bookstores can stock your title. Many first-time authors ask us:

💡 Why Your Publishing Platform Matters

The publishing platform you choose can greatly influence your book’s success. Many first-time authors explore options like amazon publishing or compare multiple self publishing companies amazon before deciding. Each platform differs in how it manages print quality, pricing, royalties, and distribution. For example, amazon publishing offers global reach but may limit certain bookstore access, while other self publishing services give authors more flexibility. Understanding these factors helps you select the most effective book publishing service for your goals.

Your platform choice also affects how your book with illustration appears in both print and eBook formats. A professional setup ensures your book with illustration retains color accuracy, layout consistency, and readability across formats. Whether you’re using an amazon self publishing company or another provider, it’s essential to review how they handle file conversions, print proofs, and metadata. Different self publishing companies amazon may also vary in how quickly they update listings or process revisions, which can impact discoverability.

Working with the right amazon publishing platform or trusted book publishing service ensures your creative work reaches readers efficiently. By comparing the features of each amazon self publishing company and exploring a variety of self publishing services, authors can make smarter choices for long-term visibility. Remember—your book with illustration deserves a platform that supports both artistic quality and professional presentation, something that only the best self publishing companies amazon consistently provide.

Let’s compare three of the biggest self-publishing platforms to help you decide.

📘 Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Best for: Publishing directly on Amazon and keeping things simple

KDP is Amazon’s free self-publishing service. It's where many authors begin—and for good reason. Publishing your book on Kindle and in paperback through KDP is fast, easy, and completely free.

✅ Pros:

❌ Cons:

📌 Good for:

Amazon KDP allows authors to publish a book on Amazon quickly and reach millions of readers. However, unlike traditional book illustration companies, it does not provide integrated design or illustration support, so authors must source illustration studios independently. If you're looking for a reliable Amazon self publishing company, KDP is your starting point—and we help you get everything formatted perfectly.

📗 IngramSpark

Best for: Authors who want wide bookstore and library distribution

IngramSpark is the go-to platform for getting your book into major retailers, libraries, and even indie bookstores. It’s a bit more complex to set up, but the benefits are worth it if you're aiming for broader reach.

✅ Pros:

❌ Cons:

📌 Good for:

We often recommend a dual strategy: publish on both KDP and IngramSpark to cover all bases.

📕 Barnes & Noble Press

Best for: Authors looking for visibility on the B&N website and Nook e-readers

Barnes & Noble Press lets authors publish both print and eBooks, which appear on the B&N website and Nook platform. It’s easy to use and completely free, though it doesn’t have the wide reach of KDP or IngramSpark.

Pros:

Cons:

Good for:

🤔 So, Which One Should You Choose?

If you want to self-publish a book affordably and focus on Amazon, KDP is a great start. If your goal is bookstore shelves or library catalogs, IngramSpark is a better fit. And if Barnes & Noble is part of your marketing strategy, adding Barnes & Noble Press can be a nice bonus.

Many authors use multiple platforms to reach different audiences. At Blueberry Illustrations, we help you set up on all three—so you don’t miss out on any opportunity.

✍️ Need Help Getting Started?

We know that publishing a book—especially a children’s novel—comes with a long list of questions:

That’s where we come in. As a leading children's book illustration agency, we provide affordable children's book illustration services that cover every stage of the publishing process. Our team of illustrators for hire delivers professional artwork to bring your book with illustration to life. Each project includes complete self publishing services—illustration, layout, children's book formatting service, ISBN setup, and uploads for amazon publishing. We also help authors choose the right book publishing service or amazon self publishing company for long-term success. Along with artwork, we provide custom book cover design options and expert support to ensure your story reaches readers in the best possible form.

⚖️ Quick Comparison Table

Feature KDP (Amazon) IngramSpark Barnes & Noble Press
Cost to Publish Free Fees apply (can be waived) Free
Hardcover Option Limited (beta) Yes No
eBook & Paperback Yes Yes Yes
Print Quality Basic Excellent Moderate
Distribution Reach Amazon + optional extended Global retailers & libraries B&N only
Best For Budget-friendly publishing Professional, wide reach Targeting B&N readers

RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS AND HAPPY AUTHORS

4️⃣ How Illustration Fits Into Self-Publishing (continued)

Working with a professional illustration agency or book illustration company ensures your visuals are consistent, emotionally engaging, and aligned with your publishing goals. For example:

A professional illustrator—or an author working with an illustration studio—can adapt your art style to your story’s tone, maintain visual consistency, and produce print-ready files that meet Amazon KDP and other platform specifications. Investing in quality illustrations not only enhances reader engagement but also improves marketability, sales potential, and your book’s overall credibility.

Tip: Even if you choose a DIY publishing platform, outsourcing illustrations to a reliable illustration agency ensures your book looks polished and professional, increasing its chances of standing out in a crowded market. For authors looking for expert guidance and a wide range of illustration styles, Blueberry Illustrations offers professional book illustration services tailored to your story and audience, helping bring your vision to life with creativity and precision.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I choose the best self-publishing platform for my book?

Choosing the right platform depends on your goals, budget, and target audience. Popular options include Amazon self publishing company, IngramSpark, Lulu, and Draft2Digital. Consider factors like print and eBook distribution, royalty rates, and ease of use. For authors looking to enhance their books with professional illustrations, Blueberry Illustrations’ Children’s Book Illustration Services can seamlessly integrate artwork that works with any platform.

2. Can I hire an illustrator while using self-publishing platforms?

Yes! Many authors collaborate with illustration studios or illustrator companies to add professional artwork to their books. Whether you are using self publishing companies Amazon or planning to publish book Kindle, partnering with a trusted illustration agency like Blueberry Illustrations ensures high-quality, print-ready illustrations that elevate your story and attract readers.

3. How much does it cost to self-publish a book with illustrations?

Costs vary depending on the platform, book length, and whether you hire professional services. Self-publishing fees may include formatting, cover design, and illustrations. Working with experienced author illustrators or a book illustration company like Blueberry Illustrations gives you transparent pricing for fully illustrated books, so you know exactly how much it costs to publish a book.

4. What is the difference between self-publishing on Amazon and Kindle?

Amazon self publishing company via KDP allows you to distribute both print and eBooks. “Publishing on Kindle” specifically refers to digital editions. With the right Children’s Book Illustration Services, your artwork will be optimized for both formats, ensuring your book looks professional whether it’s a physical copy or a Kindle edition.

5. How can I make my book stand out on self-publishing platforms?

High-quality illustrations, professional layouts, and engaging cover design are key. Using a trusted illustration agency or illustration studios like Blueberry Illustrations ensures your book has a polished, market-ready look. Pairing this with strong editorial services, such as book editing services, increases your chances of visibility and success across platforms like Amazon self publishing company.

6. Do I need a professional illustrator if I can create my own artwork?

While self-illustration is possible, professional author illustrators bring expertise in composition, color theory, and storytelling that makes a book truly captivating. Blueberry Illustrations provides tailored illustration solutions for all genres, helping self-publishing authors create books that compete with traditionally published titles.

7. Can Blueberry Illustrations help with both illustration and self-publishing guidance?

Yes! Our team not only offers Children’s Book Illustration Services, but also advises authors on how to self publish a book, platform selection, and layout requirements. By combining illustration expertise with publishing knowledge, we help authors create books ready for platforms like Amazon self publishing company and publish book Kindle editions.

8. Are illustrations required for all types of self-published books?

Not all books require illustrations, but for children’s books, picture books, and visually-driven novels, professional illustrations significantly increase engagement and sales. Working with a reputable book illustration company ensures your visuals are consistent, appealing, and aligned with your publishing platform, whether it’s self publishing companies Amazon or a smaller platform.

💬Let’s Make Your Book a Reality

If you're looking for a list of book publishers in the USA, or simply want an expert team to walk you through every step of the journey, we’re here to help.

We offer complete self-publishing packages—from illustrations and formatting to uploads and marketing. Whether you’re working on a children’s story, a how-to guide, or aiming for bestsellers NYTimes, we can help.

Need to know how much does self publishing a book cost or how long does it take to self publish a book? Let’s talk.

👉 Contact Blueberry Illustrations

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