The CreateSpace Book on Demand program is a self-service, do-it-yourself online tool that allows you to upload your ready-for-printing PDF book files and make your trade paperback book(s) available for sale online.
Before you can set up your title and make it available for sale, you must first become a CreateSpace member. Create a new account to start the self guided process. From your Member account, you will be able to create, update, and edit your title information, description, and artwork, choose your sales channels, and view sales reports.
All books created through Book on Demand are produced as trade paperback books with full-color covers. You may choose to have a black and white or full-color interior. Please see our PDF File Submission Requirements for details.
| Standard Trim Sizes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Color Interior | B&W Interior | |||
| 5.25" x 8" | 5.5" x 8.5" | 5.25" x 8" | 5.5" x 8.5" | |
| 6" x 9" | 7" x 10" | 6" x 9" | 7" x 10" | |
| 8" x 10" | 8.25" x 8.25" | 8" x 10" | 8.25" x 8.25" | |
| 8.25" x 6" | 8.25" x 6" | |||
We can also accept the following trim sizes: 5" x 8", 5.06" x 7.81", 6.14" x 9.21", 6.69" x 9.61", 7.44" x 9.69", 7.5" x 9.25".
All books must be a minimum of 24 pages. The maximum number of pages you can have vary by trim size and printing options.
All books created through CreateSpace are printed as perfect-bound, trade paperback books.
You set the list price for your book, and depending on what sales channels you choose, CreateSpace and/or Amazon.com sets the selling price of your title to customers.
Visit Setting List Prices for more information.
No; all files must be submitted through the CreateSpace website.
Yes; enter the author name you would like associated with your book when entering your book's description in your Member Account. Be sure this name matches the name you've included on your book's cover and interior files.
All book files must be submitted as PDFs.
The cover file for your book should not exceed 40 MB; the interior file for your book should not exceed 100 MB.
No. If you do not already own an ISBN, we’ll automatically assign one to your book. There is no additional charge for the assignment of an ISBN to your book.
Yes. If you have an ISBN that you purchased from R.R. Bowker or the International ISBN agency specifically for this book, you may use it in publishing your book through our tool. Please note that you will be required to also enter an imprint (or publisher) name and that we will verify the ownership and authenticity of the ISBN you enter.
You may purchase an ISBN through R.R. Bowker, the U.S. ISBN agency, or through the International ISBN agency. For more information, visit Bowker's website at www.isbn.org or the International ISBN agency at www.isbn-international.org.
The ISBN barcode will be in a white box 2" wide and 1.2" tall. The bottom of this ISBN barcode is located 1/4" up from the bottom trim line of the cover, and the right side of the ISBN barcode is located 1/4" to the left of the spine. Please ensure that you don't have any important images or text in the ISBN barcode location. You can also refer to our Artwork Templates for the exact size and position of the ISBN barcode on your final cover.
Yes; simply input your own ISBN into the appropriate field of your member account during the book setup process. Once your ISBN has been entered into your title, our system will superimpose the ISBN barcode in the lower right-hand corner of the back cover.
A: Generally speaking, you can use fully formatted covers with our system, though you need to make sure that the spine width of your current cover matches our spine width requirements and it is the correct trim size for your book. Our system can accept covers that already include an ISBN barcode in a different location than specified by our template, but please follow our Instructions for Using an Existing Fully Formatted Cover.
Your book's files will print in the exact manner as you submit them. We will add an additional page (or leaf) to your book containing a manufacturing-related barcode.
Additional blank pages may be added to the end of your book as a result of our printing process. The number of blank pages is based on multiple variables that may not be the same for every order placed for your book. Therefore, the blank pages cannot be eliminated by adding additional pages to your book's print file. These pages, if added, will appear before the page or leaf containing the manufacturing-related barcode.
Yes. Please note, however, that if CreateSpace assigns an ISBN to your book, this ISBN belongs to CreateSpace and may not be used to publish your book with another publisher.
To edit or revise an existing title, log in to your Member Account and click on the edit icon (pencil) next to the title you would like to edit. You will then be able to upload your new file(s). The new file(s) will take the place of the current file(s) associated with your book. We will review the new file(s) to make sure that it meets our requirements and notify you of our findings via email. When your book files meet all requirements, you will be able to order a proof copy, which we will then print and ship to you.
Note: you cannot edit the ISBN barcode.
If your book's status is "In Process," you will be unable to upload revised files, as our teams are reviewing the files you previously uploaded.
If your book's status is "Available" and you upload new files, it will become unavailable for purchase. Your book will remain unavailable for purchase until you have approved a new proof with your revised files. Any orders placed for your book prior to it becoming unavailable for purchase will be fulfilled using the previously approved files.
Please see the question, "What does each book status mean?" for additional details about editing your book and its information.
There are seven book statuses on CreateSpace: Awaiting Materials, In Process, Action Required, Awaiting Proof Order, Proof Review, Available, and On Hold.
Our member agreement requires that you own or have obtained all rights to any content you deliver to us. Please see our Copyright Guidelines and Content Guidelines for more details. If you feel that any content offered through CreateSpace violates your intellectual property rights, please see Notice and Procedure for Making Claims of Copyright Infringement.
Yes; you may terminate your CreateSpace account by contacting us through our site's contact us form and indicating that you would like to terminate your account. Remember, once you terminate your account, we will retire your book. Once we retire your book, future sales through Amazon.com will cease after the next update. Please note that product detail pages may persist in the Amazon.com system even after a title is removed from Amazon.com Retail sales. This will help support activities such as sales of used copies through the Amazon.com Marketplace, but CreateSpace will no longer fulfill new orders placed for your book.
Yes. Once your book is set up in the system and you have uploaded both your cover and interior files, we will review them to make sure they comply with our submission requirements and notify you of the results via email. After your book has been reviewed and approved for printing, you will need to order your proof to make sure you are satisfied with the final product. Upon receiving your proof, please check it over carefully to make sure you are happy with all aspects of the book.
If you have just received the email indicating your proof is ready for order and your book's status is listed as "In Process" on your Account Dashboard, please allow up to one hour for your book's status to change to "Awaiting Proof Order." At that time, you will be able to order a proof copy of your book.
Proofs are normally shipped within five business days of order.
Yes. Our systems allow you to upload your files as many times as you would like. Just log in to your Member Account and click on the edit icon (pencil) next to the title you would like to edit. You will then be able to upload your new file(s). The new file(s) will take the place of the current file(s) associated with your book. We will review the new file(s) to make sure that it meets our requirements and notify you of our findings via email. When your book files meet all requirements, you will be able to order a proof copy, which we will then print and ship to you.
Unfortunately, we are unable to change your order's shipping address after you have submitted it.
Unfortunately, we are unable to cancel orders after they have been submitted.
Yes. If your book is damaged or defective, we will gladly replace it within 30 days of its receipt. View our Returns Page to learn more about our full return policy.
Your book will be printed on-demand, after a customer orders, using the latest digital printing technology available. Your book's interior will be produced in full-color or black and white, depending upon the option you have selected. All book covers are printed in full color on cover stock and finished with a protective laminate-coating.
While we are unable to disclose the specific types of printing equipment we use, we can say that we strive to offer the highest quality product possible throughout our bookmaking process.
You may choose between either white or cream (also called "off-white") paper when setting up your black and white interior book. Color books are printed on white paper.
Once you approve your proof from your Member Account, your book will appear for sale on Amazon.com usually within fifteen business days.
No; your book will only appear for sale on Amazon.com at this time.
All products available for sale on Amazon.com have their own unique detail pages that provide potential buyers with their descriptions, purchase options, reviews from other Amazon.com users, and more. Each book we print and sell for you will have its own detail page on Amazon.com.
After you have approved your book's proof and made your book available for sale, you may change only its description, keywords, BISAC Category, and list price. Please allow up to fifteen business days for this information to update on your Amazon.com detail page.
Yes; to make your book unavailable for purchase, simply change its status to Retired through your CreateSpace member account. If you choose to opt out of the Amazon.com Retail program, then future sales through Amazon.com will cease after the next update. Please note that product detail pages may persist in the Amazon.com system even after a title is removed from Amazon.com Retail sales. This will help support activities such as sales of used copies through the Amazon.com Marketplace, but CreateSpace will no longer fulfill new orders placed for your book. After you retire your title, you may change its status back to available.
Yes; you will have the option to select the sales channels you prefer when you set up your title, and may choose to sell your book through your CreateSpace E-Store only.
Yes. All books published through CreateSpace will be eligible for the Search Inside!™ feature.
Unfortunately, Amazon.com is unable to accommodate special requests for the Search Inside!™ feature.
Amazon.com sets the selling price for, and frequently discounts, items for sale on its site. However, royalty you earn from Amazon.com Retail sales will be based on the list price you set for your book not the selling price.
Your book(s) will have In Stock availability on Amazon.com.
Yes; in fact, if the order was placed through Amazon.com, the customer may only return the item to Amazon.com, not CreateSpace. Orders placed for your book through Amazon.com are governed by Amazon.com's returns policy.
If CreateSpace is assigning an ISBN to your book, CreateSpace Publishing will be listed as your book's publisher on Amazon.com. If you have provided your own ISBN and imprint name for your book, the name you provide will be listed as your book's publisher on Amazon.com. Please note that CreateSpace Publishing may temporarily appear as the publisher on Amazon.com in either circumstance.
Although CreateSpace does not currently offer support for Amazon.com's eBook program, there are many options for making your books available for the Amazon Kindle wireless reading device. Here's how you can get started:
eBookbase is Mobipocket's premier online repository for commercial, business and reference publishers featuring thousands of popular, high quality eBooks covering hundreds of subject areas. By uploading your eBooks to eBookbase, you will be able to sell your books on Mobipocket.com, Amazon.com and Mobipocket's network of eBook retailers. To learn more, please visit http://www.ebookbase.com
Amazon's Digital Text Platform (DTP) allows you to convert your books into electronic format using self publishing tools and then sell them on Amazon.com. DTP is a fast, easy self-publishing tool that lets you publish your digital text content for the Amazon Kindle wireless reading device with or without DRM. For more information, and to sign up, please visit http://dtp.amazon.com
If you have further questions regarding Amazon's eBook program, please visit their FAQ and help section.
BISAC Subject Codes
BISAC (Book Industry Standards and Communications) Subject Codes are standard categories used by the book-selling industry to categorize books.
Bleed
Bleed is extra image or background that extends beyond the trim marks of a page. Any time an image is intended to be printed to the edge of a page, it should extend at least 1/8" off the edge so that when the page is trimmed, small variations in the trim will not result in a white line down the edge of the page. Bleed area should not include any "live" elements that cannot be cut during the final stages of the printing process.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black)
The four printer colors used to create full-color prints. Combining each of these four colors in varying proportions allows you to create the full color spectrum.
DPI (Dots per Inch)
DPI is a measure of image resolution; the higher the number, the sharper the image. For the highest quality printing, you should include images of at least 300 DPI in your book.
Full-color
Printing using a combination of inks (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black, also referred to as CMYK) to achieve all possible varieties of visual color.
Grayscale
A photo or image made up of varying tones of black and white. Images to be printed in black and white should be converted to grayscale prior to addition to the printed work.
Image Resolution
Image resolution refers to picture detail or the actual number of pixels that are packed into a digital image. Resolution is defined as the number of pixels per square inch (ppi) or as the number of dots per square inch (dpi). For all practical purposes in discussing resolution, pixels and dots are essentially interchangeable.
ISBN
An ISBN or International Standard Book Number is a unique 10- or 13-digit number assigned to every book that identifies its binding, edition and publisher. ISBNs are obtained from R.R. Bowker, the US ISBN agency, or the International ISBN Agency.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
The color spectrum used by color monitor displays and TVs. The combination and intensities of these three colors can represent the whole color spectrum. Digital images captured in color from most scanners or taken with a digital camera are in RGB color mode. Images in RGB color mode should be converted to CMYK for the printing process.
Trade paperback
Refers to a paperback book bound with a heavy paper cover.
Trim size
The size of your final book after it is printed, bound and trimmed. Trim sizes are always indicated as width in inches by height in inches. For example, a trim size of 6"x9" means the printed book will be 6 inches wide and 9 inches tall.
Your content license royalty is the amount you earn for sales of your titles.
CreateSpace pays your royalty for a given month's sales at the end of the following month. For example, you will receive your royalty payment at the end of March covering all the sales you made in February. The lag time of approximately 30 days covers any sales revenue collections, customer returns, and payment processing.
Members living inside the United States will receive their royalty payment via direct deposit into their bank account. This service is free. Enter bank account information by the 20th of the month to begin direct deposits in that same month. Information entered after the 20th will be used for the following month. By written request, a member could choose to be paid by check, but an $8 dollar handling fee applies.
We don't make deposits for amounts less than $20. Instead, we'll keep a running total and once the amount exceeds $20, we'll make a deposit at the end of that month.
For members residing outside the United States, royalty payment checks will be mailed. This service is free. By written request, a member could choose to be paid via wire transfer directly into their foreign bank account. A $25 dollar service fee applies per transaction for this wire transfer service.
Before we can send any content license royalties, you will need to provide your tax identification number: social security number, employer identification number, or individual tax identification number. A payment record is provided on your Account History Report.
For additional information, please see Content License Royalties.
Yes; in order to pay you any royalty payments for title sales, United States tax law requires that we obtain either your Tax Identification Number or your Social Security Number.
You will need to provide us with an ITIN Tax Number and a W-8BEN Form. For complete details on how to obtain and provide us with these pieces of information, please visit International (Non-U.S.) Member Account Setup.
Yes. When anyone earns money in the U.S., they must pay taxes on their income. When a foreign citizen or business earns royalties in the U.S., U.S. tax is required to be withheld from that income. Tax is generally withheld at 30%. However, if a foreign citizen or business is in a country which has a tax treaty with the U.S., the rate of tax can be reduced. In order obtain this lower rate of withholding, we will need a tax identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (ITIN, or EIN) and Form W-8BEN.
The U.S. government requires CreateSpace to report foreign members' income and sometimes requires us to subtract (or "withhold") taxes owed from it. Foreign members may also report and pay tax on this income to their own governments, however, you should discuss this further with your tax advisor.
The royalty payment you receive per customer sales is the sale price less the per book charge, the per fee charge and our revenue share. Depending on how you decide to receive your royalty payment, through direct deposit, check, or wire, other handling fees may apply. Visit Content License Royalties for more details.
The royalty payment you receive per customer sales is the sale price less all of the above fees. Depending on how you decide to receive your royalty payment, through direct deposit, check, or wire, other handling fees may apply. Visit Content License Royalties for more details.
We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover. Debit cards associated with these institutions are also accepted. If you are paying with a MasterCard debit card, simply select MasterCard from the pull down menu on the order form. For Visa debit cards, select Visa.
You may change your credit card on file by following these steps:
For these orders, you pay just the fixed charge and per-page charge plus shipping and handling as shown on Book Prices. Orders up to 100 units are normally shipped within 15 business days. Contact us for larger order details.
Changes cannot be made to orders once they are placed. If you ordered the incorrect title, or the wrong quantity of items, please contact us to cancel your order. Please note that it is your responsibility to place your order again with the correct information and/or quantity. To update the shipping address on an order that has not yet shipped, please contact us.
The Sales History section of your Title History Report lists a detailed breakdown of every customer sale via your CreateSpace E-Store of your title since its inception. Each line in the history details a transaction associated with your title whether it is an initial setup, sale, or return. Customer contact information provided in this report includes name, email, and shipping address of the customer who purchased or returned the title. We don't report details on orders placed through Amazon.com.
CreateSpace ships orders globally. We do not currently post international shipping & handling rates on our website because they vary based on the destination, package weight, and ship method. For a specific list of countries we ship orders to, as well as shipping costs, please go through the checkout process on the CreateSpace website. Shipping details will show before final confirmation of your order and before any charges are made to your credit card.
Depending on which country you would like the order shipped to, your order will be sent via U.S. Mail Global Priority or via FedEx International service.
Most international orders are sent via U.S. Mail Global Priority. This carrier does not provide tracking details. Although it is true that shipments sent via U.S. Mail Global Priority usually arrive at their destinations 2 - 3 weeks from the ship date, transit times vary and may be significantly longer.
NOTE: International orders may be subject to import duties and taxes, which are levied once a shipment reaches your country. Additional charges for customs clearance must be borne by you; we have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be. Customs policies vary widely from country to country; you should contact your local customs office for further information. Additionally, when ordering from CreateSpace.com, you are considered the importer of record and must comply with all laws and regulations of the country in which you are receiving the goods.
If the title was returned because of an error on our part, there is no charge to you as the creator of that title. If a title is returned to us because of an issue having to do with your content (e.g., your description of the content was misleading, incorrect, or it violated another person's intellectual property rights), we will put the title on hold, along with any revenue from this title, until we can investigate the issue.