In case nobody told you, in recent years, Print on Demand (POD) has emerged as one of the most accessible and profitable ways to start an online business—especially for creators and entrepreneurs looking to turn their creativity and designs into physical products without the hassle of inventory management.

Amazon, with its vast global reach and robust infrastructure, offers a powerful platform to sell your POD creations, whether you’re focused on eBooks or printable paper items. Whether you’re an artist, writer, or hobbyist, POD on Amazon allows you to monetize your creativity and tap into one of the largest marketplaces in the world—all while keeping things simple and low-risk. In this guide, we’ll dive into how you can get started with Amazon POD, from eBooks to printables, and everything in between.
Print on Demand (POD) for ebooks or printable paper items like planners, journals, notebooks, or other paper-based products
While Amazon has specific POD platforms like Merch on Demand for physical items like t-shirts, for ebooks and paper printables there are different processes, so here’s how it works:
1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) for eBooks:
Amazon KDP is a platform for publishing ebooks and paperback books that are printed on demand. How does it work and why it is worth getting your head around it?
a. For eBooks:
- Write/Prepare Your eBook:
- You’ll need a digital file (typically a .docx, a .pdf or .epub file) for your eBook.
- Create a Cover:
- The cover is important for visibility. Amazon KDP offers a free cover creator tool, or you can design one yourself using tools like Canva or Adobe Spark.
- Upload and Publish:
- Once your book is ready, you can upload it to KDP. Choose your pricing, royalty options, and distribution preferences (e.g., which countries you want your book to be available in).
- Royalties:
- For ebooks, Amazon offers 35% or 70% royalty depending on the pricing and distribution options you select.
- Promotion:
- Similar to POD apparel, you’ll want to promote your eBook through social media, book bloggers, or Amazon Ads to drive traffic.

b. For Paperbacks (Print on Demand):
- Write/Prepare Your Manuscript:
- Same as with eBooks, you’ll need a digital file for the content of your paperback.
- Formatting for Print:
- You’ll need to format your file to fit Amazon’s paperback requirements (trim size, margins, etc.). Tools like Scrivener, Microsoft Word, or even Canva can help with formatting.
- Choose Print Settings:
- On KDP, you can choose the size of your paperback, whether it will have color or black-and-white printing, and whether it will be paperback or hardcover.
- Set Your Price and Royalties:
- You choose the retail price, and Amazon takes a percentage based on printing costs, with your royalty being the difference between the retail price and the cost of printing. The royalty usually ranges from 35% to 70%.
- No Inventory:
- Like other POD products, Amazon will print and ship each paperback copy only when someone orders it.
THAT IS EVEN MORE CONVENIENT THAN DROPSHIPPING – AND HASSLE FREE !

2. Creating Printable Paper Products for Sale (Notebooks, Planners, etc.) on Amazon:
For products like printable planners, journals, and coloring books, you would typically use Amazon KDP for paperbacks (for physical products) or sell the digital versions as instant downloads. Here’s how:
a. For Printables (e.g., planners, journals):
- Design the Printables:
- Create your printable paper products using design software (like Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or PowerPoint). You could make planners, journals, to-do lists, or any other paper-based item. Ensure that your designs are print-ready (with appropriate dimensions and resolution).
- Upload to Amazon KDP:
- Upload your print-ready designs as a paperback or as a downloadable PDF file (for digital products).
- Choose Paper Size:
- For things like planners or journals, you’ll likely need to decide on a size (such as 6″x9″, 8.5″x11″, etc.), and Amazon will print the items when a customer orders them.
- Pricing and Royalties:
- For paperback products, you’ll set the price, and Amazon will subtract printing costs to determine your royalty. For digital downloads, you’ll set a price for the digital product and keep 100% of the earnings, though some platforms may charge a small fee.
b. For Print on Demand Notebooks and Journals:
- Design the Layout:
- Many sellers create lined notebooks, planners, or journals with custom designs on the covers and inside pages.
- Create a Cover Design:
- Create an eye-catching cover for your book. Amazon allows you to upload a custom cover or use their free design tools.
- Format the Interior:
- For products like lined notebooks or journals, the interior is usually minimal, just plain or lined pages. Ensure the pages are formatted to Amazon’s specifications.
- Publish and Sell:
- Once your product is ready, publish it on KDP and Amazon will print it on demand when customers buy.
3. Marketing & Selling Your Printables and eBooks:
After uploading your products, promoting your designs becomes key. Here are some ways to market:
- Social Media:
- Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook are great platforms to share your designs, especially for niches like planners and journals. Visual content works well.
- Influencers or Affiliates:
- You can collaborate with influencers in your niche to promote your products.
- Amazon Ads:
- You can run ads directly on Amazon to promote your ebooks, paperbacks, or printables.
- SEO:
- Optimize your product pages with relevant keywords to ensure customers find your products when searching on Amazon.

Summary:
- eBooks: Upload to Amazon KDP for ebook sales, set the price, and earn royalties based on sales.
- Print-on-Demand Paper Products (e.g., notebooks, journals): Use KDP for paperback printing. You upload your designs, and Amazon prints and ships on-demand.
- Printable Products (e.g., planners): Can be sold digitally or as physical items via KDP.
Starting your own Print on Demand business on Amazon is an exciting and low-risk opportunity that anyone can try, regardless of experience. With no upfront costs, no inventory to manage, and minimal effort needed to get started, there’s really nothing to lose.
Whether you’re looking to sell eBooks, planners, or custom apparel, Amazon provides the perfect platform to turn your creative ideas into income. So why wait? Take the plunge today, and start creating—there’s a whole world of potential customers around the world just waiting to discover your designs!

And remember – consistency is the key! Building passive income takes time and effort, but once done, you will benefit from it multiple times, so prepare well.
WE ARE ALREADY WORKING ON LAUNCHING A DEDICATED, AI-POWERED TOOLKIT FOR KDP CREATORS, ENABLING you TO CREATE your own DESIGNS and HELP YOU PUBLISH YOUR FIRST DIGITAL PRODUCT on amazon!
Stay tuned and subscribe for more! 🙂
FAQ:
Q1: How can I make money on Amazon with no upfront investment?
- Use Print on Demand (POD) via Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) for eBooks and paperbacks; no inventory required In The Loop
Q2: How does Amazon KDP work for eBooks and paperbacks?
- Upload your manuscript and cover
- Choose pricing and distribution
- Royalties range from 35% to 70% for eBooks; paperback royalties vary based on printing costs In The Loop
Q3: What about printable products?
- Create designs for planners, journals, notebooks, etc. Upload via KDP for physical print or sell as digital downloads In The Loop
Q4: How can I promote my POD products on Amazon?
- Use social media (Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok)
- Collaborate with influencers
- Run Amazon Ads
- Optimize product listings with relevant keywords In The Loop
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