KDP lets you buy printed copies of your own book at the printing cost. Proof copies are for checking the book before or after publishing; author copies are for everything else — events, giveaways, reviewers, selling by hand. The two have different rules, and neither one earns a royalty or counts towards your sales rank.
Proof copies vs author copies
| Proof copy | Author copy | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Printing cost + shipping | Printing cost + shipping |
| Per order | Up to 5 | Up to 999 |
| Marked | “Not for Resale”, no ISBN | Identical to a retail copy |
| Can you sell it? | No | Yes, or give it away |
| Earns a royalty? | No | No |
Shipping is added at checkout and does not qualify for free or Prime shipping.
What a copy costs
| Book | Printing cost per copy (US) |
|---|---|
| 150 pages, black ink, 6 × 9 | $2.80 |
| 300 pages, black ink, 6 × 9 | $4.60 |
| 100 pages, black ink, 8.5 × 11 | $2.84 |
| 300 pages, black-ink hardcover | $9.25 |
Printing cost only; shipping is added at checkout. Printing cost for your book.
Always order a proof
A screen preview cannot show you how the cover colours print, whether the spine text sits centred, or how the margins feel in the hand. One proof copy before launch is the cheapest insurance you can buy.
Why copies do not help your rank
Author and proof copies are bought through KDP, not as Amazon sales, so they earn no royalty and do not move your Best Sellers Rank. Amazon’s rules also prohibit trying to manipulate sales rank, for example by buying your own book. If you want sales history for a new book, genuine readers are the only way — and ads are the fastest way to reach them. A first campaign.
Common questions
How much do KDP author copies cost?
The printing cost of the book multiplied by the number of copies, plus shipping at checkout. A 300-page black-ink 6 × 9 in paperback costs $4.60 a copy to print in the US.
How many author copies can I order on KDP?
Up to 999 per order. Proof copies are limited to 5 per order.
Can I sell KDP author copies?
Yes. Author copies can be sold or given away. Proof copies are marked “Not for Resale” and must not be sold.
Do author copies count as sales on Amazon?
No. They earn no royalty and do not affect your Best Sellers Rank.
What is a KDP proof copy?
A printed copy of your book for checking before or after publishing. It is marked “Not for Resale”, has no ISBN, and costs the printing cost plus shipping.
- Both proof and author copies cost the printing cost plus shipping.
- Proofs: up to 5 per order, marked “Not for Resale”. Author copies: up to 999, can be sold.
- Neither earns a royalty or counts towards Best Sellers Rank.
- Order a proof before launch; it catches what a screen preview cannot.