--- source_url: "https://books.by/compare/ingramspark-vs-draft2digital" title: IngramSpark vs Draft2Digital (2026) — Print vs Ebook Specialists mirrored_at: 2026-08-26T01:01:45.363Z host: books.by cited_in_42a: true mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/books.by/compare/ingramspark-vs-draft2digital" --- > **Original source:** https://books.by/compare/ingramspark-vs-draft2digital Platform Comparison ## IngramSpark vs Draft2Digital: Which Do You Need? Print distribution powerhouse meets ebook aggregator champion. These platforms have different strengths, and most wide authors use both. Here's how they compare and when to use each. ![Ash Davies](https://books.by/static/images/ash-davies-avatar.jpg) Ash Davies Founder of Books.by · Helped 50,000+ authors self-publish since 2014 At a Glance ## Side-by-side comparison Feature IngramSpark Draft2Digital Books.by **Primary Strength** Print distribution Ebook aggregation Direct sales **Cost** $49/title (often waived) Free (10% of net) $99/year **Print Distribution** 40,000+ retailers Via Ingram Direct only **Ebook Distribution** Apple, B&N, Kobo, Google Apple, Kobo, B&N, libraries, 20+ Coming 2026 **Bookstore Access** Excellent Limited N/A **Library Distribution** ✓ ✓ (ebooks) ✗ **Returnability** ✓ ✗ Author controls **Free Formatting** ✗ ✓ ✗ **User Experience** Complex Excellent Modern **Customer Support** Formal/slower Responsive Fast **Payout Speed** 90 days ~60 days Daily **Customer Data** ✗ ✗ ✓ **Best For** Bookstore/library print Wide ebook distribution Direct sales, your traffic D2D's 10% is on net royalties after retailer cuts, not gross. Different Specialties ## Print specialist vs ebook aggregator IngramSpark and Draft2Digital evolved from opposite directions. Understanding this helps you use them strategically. **IngramSpark is Ingram's self-publishing arm.** Ingram Content Group is the backbone of book distribution — they supply books to bookstores, libraries, and retailers worldwide. When you use IngramSpark, you're plugging directly into the same distribution network that major publishers use. Print is their core competency. Ebooks are an add-on. **Draft2Digital started as an ebook aggregator.** Their mission was to make wide ebook distribution painless. Upload once, distribute to Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, libraries, and others. Print came later (D2D Print) and routes through Ingram anyway. Ebooks are their core competency. Print is an add-on. This means comparing them head-to-head is slightly misleading. They're each excellent at different things: - **For bookstore/library print distribution:** IngramSpark wins, no contest. - **For wide ebook distribution:** D2D wins, easily. - **For doing both:** Use both platforms. Print Distribution ## IngramSpark dominates print (and it's not close) For print books, IngramSpark is the clear choice. Here's why: ### IngramSpark Print - **40,000+ retailers** globally - **Library integration** (libraries order through Ingram) - **Returnability option** (bookstores require this) - **Premium print quality** - **Full distribution control** - **Trade recognition** (treated as "real" publisher) ### D2D Print - **Routes through Ingram** (same network) - **No returnability** (bookstores often won't stock) - **Simpler interface** - **No per-title fee** - **Less distribution control** - **Good for convenience** **The returnability issue is crucial.** Most bookstores won't stock books they can't return if they don't sell. IngramSpark lets you enable returns (accepting the risk). D2D Print doesn't offer this. For bookstore placement, this matters. **D2D Print's advantage is simplicity.** No $49 setup fee, easier interface, works fine for authors who just want print books available without optimizing for bookstore placement. **The honest recommendation:** If bookstores and libraries matter to you, use IngramSpark for print. If you just want print-on-demand availability and aren't targeting physical retail, D2D Print (or KDP Print) is simpler. Ebook Distribution ## D2D wins for ebooks For ebook distribution, the situation reverses. D2D is purpose-built for this: ### D2D Ebooks - **Widest reach:** Apple, Kobo, B&N, libraries, Scribd, Tolino, 20+ retailers - **Free formatting:** Upload Word, get formatted ebook - **Beautiful interface** - **Universal Book Links** (smart URLs) - **Library distribution** included - **Excellent support** ### IngramSpark Ebooks - **Limited reach:** Apple, B&N, Kobo, Google - **No formatting tools** - **Clunkier interface** - **Ebook is afterthought** - **Print-focused company** - **Slower support** **D2D's formatting tools are huge.** Upload a Word document, and D2D converts it to properly formatted EPUB. This saves $50–150 vs hiring a formatter. IngramSpark requires print-ready files — no hand-holding. **D2D's library distribution is excellent.** They work with OverDrive, hoopla, and other library platforms for ebook lending. IngramSpark does print library distribution better, but D2D does ebook library distribution better. Using Both ## Distribution overlap and how to manage it If you use both platforms, you'll need to avoid conflicts. Both can distribute to the same retailers — selling the same book through two channels creates problems. ### Recommended approach: - **Print:** IngramSpark for bookstore/library distribution. Disable Amazon channel in IngramSpark (use KDP for Amazon print). - **Ebooks:** D2D for Apple, Kobo, B&N, libraries. Use KDP for Kindle (D2D doesn't distribute to Kindle). - **Avoid double-distributing:** Don't send the same ebook to Apple through both IngramSpark AND D2D. The key is assigning each channel to one platform: - **Amazon print:** KDP (native integration, Prime eligibility) - **Amazon ebook (Kindle):** KDP (required, D2D doesn't distribute there) - **Bookstores/libraries (print):** IngramSpark - **Apple/Kobo/B&N (ebook):** D2D - **Libraries (ebook):** D2D This combination gives you comprehensive coverage without conflict. Yes, it's three platforms. Welcome to wide publishing. Strategic Choice ## When to use each platform ### ✅ Use IngramSpark when... - **Bookstore placement matters.** You want indie bookstores to stock your book or order it for customers. - **Libraries are a priority.** Print library acquisitions happen through Ingram. - **You do events.** Bookstores hosting your signing need to order through a familiar channel. - **Returns are necessary.** You're willing to accept return risk for better placement. - **Print quality is paramount.** More paper/finish options than most POD. ### ✅ Use Draft2Digital when... - **Ebooks are your focus.** D2D's ebook infrastructure is simply better. - **You want one dashboard.** D2D consolidates reporting across multiple retailers. - **You need formatting help.** Free conversion from Word to EPUB/print PDF. - **International ebook markets matter.** Kobo is huge in Canada, Netherlands, Japan. Tolino dominates Germany. - **Library ebook lending is a goal.** OverDrive, hoopla integration. ### 🏆 The optimal combination For wide authors: **KDP** for Amazon (print + Kindle). **IngramSpark** for bookstore/library print distribution. **D2D** for wide ebook distribution. **Books.by** for direct sales where you keep 100%. This is the full infrastructure. The Bigger Picture ## What both platforms miss IngramSpark and D2D are both distribution platforms. They put your books in stores. What neither offers is the ability to sell directly to your readers. When you sell through Barnes & Noble (via D2D) or an indie bookstore (via IngramSpark), you don't know who bought your book. No email address, no customer relationship. They're the retailer's customers. This is fine for organic discovery — random readers finding your book while browsing. But when you've built an audience through your email list, podcast, speaking, or social media, sending them to a retailer means giving up 30–55% of the sale to intermediaries. This is where direct sales come in. Platforms like [Books.by](https://books.by/get-started) let you sell directly to readers. You keep 100% of royalties (minus print/processing) — that's $9.60 on a $19.99 paperback vs $3.75 through IngramSpark's wholesale model. You get paid daily and capture customer emails. Use IngramSpark and D2D for distribution. Use Books.by for your own traffic. Keep what you earn on the audience you've built. Common Questions ## Frequently Asked Questions ## Want 100% royalties on direct sales? Use IngramSpark and D2D for distribution. Use Books.by for your own traffic. Daily payouts, customer emails, and real royalties. [Start Your Bookstore →](https://books.by/get-started) ![Books.by author dashboard showing real-time orders, sales and royalties](https://books.by/static/images/dashboard-screenshot.webp)