KDP Royalty & Print Pricing — Print cost, royalty, and the list price Amazon will refuse

A 149-page premium-color hardcover costs $15.34 to print, so Amazon will refuse any list price under $25.56.

What the year has to bring in

The first worksheet page starts from $35,000 of take-home income, $4,600 of overhead across the items listed and tax on profit, and works out the revenue the business needs: $51,266.67 a year. This business does not sell hours, so the kit does not turn that into an hourly rate. Every step is printed, with a blank worksheet for your own numbers.

Print cost, royalty, and the price Amazon refuses

A 149-page premium-color hardcover costs $15.34 to print, so KDP refuses any list price under $25.56.

Paperbacks have a step: 50% royalty at $9.98 and below, 60% from $9.99. A 200-page black-ink paperback costs $3.40 to print, has a minimum list price of $6.80, and earns $1.59 at $9.98 but $2.59 at $9.99.

Print-cost tables for paperback and hardcover, black ink and color, including the flat rates for short books, plus why ink matters more than length. Rates are KDP's published US rates, checked October 13, 2026; confirm them on KDP's help pages before pricing.

8 client scripts

Each one carries a line explaining why it is worded that way, because a script you do not understand is one you will not send. Placeholders are in [BRACKETS] so nothing goes out in someone else's words.

• Replying to a one-star review without arguing
• Asking an early reader for an honest review
• A permissions request for quoted material
• Declining a predatory "marketing service" pitch
• Chasing a cover designer who has gone quiet
• Explaining your price to a reader who thinks it is high
• A bulk or library order inquiry
• Reporting a pirated copy of your book

What this is not

These numbers are not a market price. They are arithmetic about you — what your income target requires. They do not tell you what your market will pay. If the number is far above what your market bears, that is real information: something has to move, and quietly working below the floor is the one option that cannot last.

These are scripts, not contracts, and nothing here is legal or tax advice. No script threatens statutory interest, collections or legal action — whether any of those is available to you depends on your contract and jurisdiction. The 25% tax figure is a placeholder; ask your accountant for yours.

Honest about the format

A printable PDF, not a physical product and not an editable file. One US Letter PDF (9 pages) and one A4 PDF (9 pages). Files are available immediately after purchase; nothing ships.

Refunds

If this isn't what you expected, email me within 30 days and I'll refund you in full — no need to explain. Because it's an instant download I can't take the files back, so I'd rather you just had your money back.