My Rocky First Experience with Amazon KDP: A Cautionary Tale
Self-publishing is supposed to be empowering—giving authors creative control, financial freedom, and the ability to bring their books directly to readers. At least, that’s the dream. The reality, particularly with Amazon KDP, is often a different story.
I knew going into this that KDP had its drawbacks. The royalty split is steep, taking a significant cut of every sale. But what I didn’t expect was just how frustrating my first experience would be.
The Barcode Debacle
My book was rejected for lacking a barcode—even though it absolutely had one. I double-checked my files, confirmed the barcode was there, but KDP still insisted otherwise. No explanation, no workaround, just an automatic rejection. The only solution? Re-upload everything. It was a waste of time that could have been avoided with better support or clearer guidelines.
Delayed, Then Destroyed
After jumping through KDP’s hoops, I finally ordered my first author copies—excited to see the book in print. I even took the day off work to receive them. But Amazon had other plans. The delivery was delayed, and when it did finally arrive, the driver casually left the first 30 copies in flimsy, broken boxes… in a puddle. In the rain. By the time I got to them, many were destroyed—soaked, warped, and completely unsellable.
I reached out to Amazon, expecting at least some acknowledgment of the situation. Their response? A refund for only 15 copies—the ones that were outright ruined. The inconsistent print quality across the rest of the order? Apparently, that wasn’t their problem.
Terrible Print Quality & Nonexistent Support
Of the 65 total copies I ordered, maybe 10 looked right. The cover is supposed to have a rich, deep red color, but most copies looked like the printer was running out of ink. The font wasn’t crisp, the blacks weren’t solid, and there was an overall lack of sharpness.
I reached out multiple times, providing photos and proof of the printing inconsistencies. No refund. No resolution. No accountability. Just silence or canned responses from customer service.
The Cost Factor
The only reason I’m still considering KDP for print is the cost. For 60 copies, KDP charges around $360, while other printing services like BookBaby would cost close to $1,000 for the same order. That’s a massive difference, especially for an indie author managing upfront costs. But is the lower price worth the inconsistent quality and frustrating logistics?
Final Thoughts
Would I recommend KDP for print? Only if you’re willing to sacrifice quality for affordability. If you’re looking for premium print runs—where color consistency, sharp fonts, and durable packaging actually matter—KDP is probably not the answer.
I might still use KDP for basic author copies and proofing, but for readers who expect a high-quality book in their hands, I’ll be looking elsewhere. If you’re thinking of using KDP for print, consider this your warning: expect delays, expect inconsistencies, and don’t expect perfection.