IngramSpark
Depends
Confidence: Medium
Buy it as a second channel alongside KDP when you need bookstore and library distribution or hardcover formats.
New check
Comparison
IngramSpark vs Lulu
IngramSpark and Lulu both land on Depends.
Lulu
Depends
Confidence: Medium
Buy Lulu if you are an author or store owner who wants free print-on-demand publishing with direct Shopify or WooCommerce selling.
| Compare | IngramSpark | Lulu |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Depends | Depends |
| Best for | Authors wanting bookstore and library distribution | Self-publishing authors printing paperbacks |
| Who it's not for | First-timers who want hand-holding and quick support | Ebook-first authors . Amazon KDP is the default |
| Privacy | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.⁷ | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed. |
| Support quality | Repeated complaints: users cannot get help | Recurring complaints documented for years |
| Public sentiment | Reviews are split: authors value the bookstore reach but frequently complain about unresponsive support, costs, and stock issues.² | Self-publishers report print-on-demand wins but frustration with recent pricing changes and long-running support complaints.11 |
| Biggest gotcha | Poor support is the loudest complaint; expect slow help when prints go wrong² | Complaint compilations about Lulu Press support span years; support is ticket-based14 |
Pick IngramSpark when
- Authors wanting bookstore and library distribution
- Hardcover and casebound print formats
- KDP users expanding beyond Amazon
- Bulk print runs
When IngramSpark is not a fit
- First-timers who want hand-holding and quick support
- Amazon-only authors . KDP alone is simpler
- Illustrated or color books needing real profit margins
- Anyone unwilling to fix print-file issues alone
Pick Lulu when
- Self-publishing authors printing paperbacks
- Authors selling print books direct
- Shopify/WooCommerce stores selling books
- Developers needing a print API
When Lulu is not a fit
- Ebook-first authors . Amazon KDP is the default
- Anyone expecting fast, hands-on customer support
- Buyers wanting fixed, predictable pricing . structure changed recently
Sources
review
- IngramSpark Customer Service Reviews . Trustpilottrustpilot.comreview
review
- IngramSpark Review: Why I'll Never Use it Again . The Writers' Cookbookwriterscookbook.comreview
- IngramSpark Review & Guide . SelfPublishing.comselfpublishing.comreview
- IngramSpark Pricing . Officialingramspark.comofficial
- IngramSpark Publishing Fraud Alert . Officialingramspark.comsecurity
- How Authors Use KDP Print and IngramSpark Togetherselfpublishingadvice.orgnews
- Do You Really Need IngramSpark? . Jane Friedmanjanefriedman.comnews
- Lulu Publishing Review . Reedsyreedsy.comreview
- Trustpilot reviews of www.lulu.comtrustpilot.comreview
- Complaints About Lulu Press . WritersWeeklywritersweekly.comnews
- Lulu vs Books.by comparisonbooks.byreview
- Lulu vs Other Self-Publishing Platformsprintingcenterusa.comreview