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Post by Ken on Jun 19, 2021 9:04:33 GMT
Although I’ve been publishing with Lulu since it’s inception I was intrigued by fellow Lulu’er Maggie’s recommendation that POD authors and publishers should consider using IngramSpark as an alternative company for printing and global distribution. I should mention at the start that I use Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite of InDesign, Photoshop and Acrobat software programs for all my book creation and typesetting and my venture with IngramSpark continues likewise. Opening an account with IngramSpark was of course simple and straightforward but it was necessary to set up how future payments would and could be made. This was invaluable once I wanted to create and purchase books and service. I didn’t expect to see any difference in book formats and trim sizes and that is certainly the case. For anyone considering the IngramSpark the first step is definitely to read their online book which covers those topics and much more at www.ingramspark.com/hubfs/downloads/Book-Design-Expanded-Guide.pdf?hsCtaTracking=1bc05cb9-1e7e-4dad-9bf8-3b8c104e480f%7C7dd82391-2d14-4e94-8360-ee6231bd2f11With Lulu one can immediately start the publishing process and complete 95% of the work without hinder, unfortunately this is not the case with IngramSpark as their very first step requires an ISBN to be entered along with the book title and author name and unlike Lulu they do not provide a free ISBN. I was able to buy a block of 10 ISBNs from the UK Agency so I was able to overcome that hurdle. There’s a helpful note from IngramSpark on ISBNs at www.ingramspark.com/free-vs-paid-isbns?hsCtaTracking=f834ac74-2007-4f46-a061-e7400aa91909%7C47405f90-6125-4f88-b877-4e38bcd53842&source=85386&awc=6257_1624041030_b31854aacb8f816f4b2870158eb4091a&utm_source=aw. One also has to pay the Setup Fee of £45 at this stage. Having designed my book and converted it to a PDF it was quite straightforward to upload it to IngramSpark. Once the upload was completed an automatic check of the validity of the content took place and a report generated detailing any problems such as bad fonts or poor image and a downloadable PDF illustrating those problems made available such that the original could be edited and corrected and a revised file uploaded to replace the original. Based on the trim size and page count IngramSpark provide a downloadable template to enable a correct size book cover to be designed. In my case it was a template for InDesign and I was able to use it immediately. My method of designing covers is to place in an InDesign page all the artworks and images created in Photoshop then add text as standard InDesign using all the creativity that provides. Once complete that is exported as a PDF and uploaded to IngramSpark. As with the book body content IngramSpark automatically check the validity of the uploaded PDF and confirm its acceptance or provide a report on potential errors or problems. The user is given the option to amend the work or accept the shortfalls, say lower image quality. With all files uploaded the next steps are fairly conventional setting up selling prices and distribution options. With those complete the book can be submitted for acceptance. At this stage things tend to go a bit quite with just a message that “Processing” is taking place. After several days IngramSpark email that processing and validation is complete and provide a downloadable Proof PDF for the user to Approve or Not Approve the Title. Approval can be either to just print a copy or to release for printing and global sales. Non Approval can be to reject the proof or ask for further information on the problems. With the proof approved I was able to place and pay for a copy to be printed and shipped to me. Whilst obviously the IngramSpark screen layouts are different to Lulu’s they were quite straightforward. What is significantly different is the feedback provided by IngramSpark at every step of the process. The only slight problem is the lack of a ‘progress meter’ at the Processing Stage. I look forward to receiving my printed book shortly especially as it is in IngramSparks dual cover format. |
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Post by Retread-Retired-Cameron on Jun 19, 2021 17:32:37 GMT
One reason why Lulu Press doesn't require an ISBN to be input early is the Lulu Press Bookstore, where no ISBN is required. IngramSpark [geared to smaller independent publishers and self published authors] is a subsidiary of Ingram Content Group which distributes across the US, UK, and Australia with print partnerships in Europe and Asia. Lightning Source [another ICG subsidiary] is geared toward providing services to mid-size to large publishers. www.ingramspark.com/how-it-works/distributeLet us know whether the quality of your printed copy meets expectations. |
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Post by Ken on Jun 21, 2021 23:27:55 GMT
I found that a couple of corrections were required to both the book and one of the two covers.
After uploading revised files IngramSpark kicked off a further processing review, unfortunately they levied a charge of €25 on each file.
A tad more expensive than Lulu.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2021 9:06:54 GMT
I found that a couple of corrections were required to both the book and one of the two covers. After uploading revised files IngramSpark kicked off a further processing review, unfortunately they levied a charge of €25 on each file. A tad more expensive than Lulu. There are times during the year when revisions are free. |
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Post by Ken on Jun 22, 2021 9:41:22 GMT
IngramSpark also have the option of different printing times and shipping options.
Some are quite expensive adding to the overall cost of using them.
However all the costs are clearly stated and available on their website and in the support documentation of which there is ample.
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Post by Retread-Retired-Cameron on Jun 22, 2021 12:53:13 GMT
IngramSpark also have the option of different printing times and shipping options. Some are quite expensive adding to the overall cost of using them. However all the costs are clearly stated and available on their website and in the support documentation of which there is ample. Would you say the IngramSpark platform allows you the flexibility to manage sales better? |
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Post by Ken on Jun 22, 2021 13:50:10 GMT
Yes it does.
Selling prices can be set independently for each region which is a bonus.
My latest book will have a 98% UK audience but there will be a sprinkling from Australasia and also Canada (Brit Veterans).
But I’m really quite impressed especially with the feedback along the publishing route.
I felt in control all the time and aware of where thing were.
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Post by Retread-Retired-Cameron on Jun 22, 2021 18:11:03 GMT
Yes it does. Selling prices can be set independently for each region which is a bonus. My latest book will have a 98% UK audience but there will be a sprinkling from Australasia and also Canada (Brit Veterans). But I’m really quite impressed especially with the feedback along the publishing route. I felt in control all the time and aware of where thing were. KDP allows similar granular price controls on the various Amazon sites. |
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Post by Ken on Jun 22, 2021 18:37:46 GMT
Yes. They also show different printing costs.  |
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Post by Retread-Retired-Cameron on Jun 22, 2021 19:22:31 GMT
Part of the higher print costs outside the US may be due to higher cost of living, padding to avoid adjusting for exchange rates, or an international markup. The US $2.72 at today's exchange would be £1.95 [pounds sterling] rather than £2.26.
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Post by Ken on Jun 25, 2021 10:07:50 GMT
Photos of actual book (not very good quality fotos as taken with iPhone) showing the result of the combined wrap proud and case wrap covers. I'm quite pleased as it show that if the cover get lost or damaged there is not not just a bland inside cover. Useful experiment. Wraparound cover  Front Flap  Rear Flap  Rear |
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Post by Ken on Jun 25, 2021 12:47:11 GMT
Case Wrap Front  Rear  Wraparound Rear  |
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Post by Ken on Jun 27, 2021 9:43:52 GMT
Let us know whether the quality of your printed copy meets expectations. Cameron, Yes the printed copy has met my expectations. The mix of a traditional wrap cover for a hardback combined with case wrap for the book itself has worked well for me. This allow the book to be readily accessible from the book shelf and stands out just as well if the cover is removed. The quality of print both for the covers and for the body of the book is excellent as are all the black and white images.  The book is in Royal size (234x156mm 9.21×6.14 inches) and feels quite comfortable in my hand when reading it. I had to edit and amend some of the content after reading the proof and this was quite easy to implement on IngramSpark although I did incur a revision fee of $25. However unlike Lulu I do not have to purchase a further printed proof copy as they provide electronic proofs. This is the end of the adventure and I’m more than happy with the experience and will certainly use IngramSpark for some future work. |
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Post by Ken on Aug 4, 2021 9:00:44 GMT
 Well the adventure continues. I’ve just received my first payments from IngramSpark along with a detailed sales analysis covering US and UK Marketplaces. Very impressed
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Post by deborahinwi on Aug 27, 2021 16:04:15 GMT
Ok, thanks for all this great information on ingramspark! Can someone post some information on some other sites? Like maybe Book Baby, or Create Books? THANKS!
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