# Can you put a KDP paperback or hardcover on pre-order?

> Does Amazon KDP offer pre-orders for paperback and hardcover books?

No. KDP does not offer pre-orders for print books; pre-orders are for Kindle eBooks only. For a new paperback or hardcover you can instead schedule a release date up to 90 days ahead, but the Amazon detail page stays hidden until 12:00 AM GMT on that date, so readers cannot order early.

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Print pre-orders | Not offered |
| Alternative | Scheduled release date |
| How far ahead | Up to 90 days |
| Detail page before release | Hidden |
| Goes on sale | 12:00 AM GMT on the release date |
| Edit lock | Starts 5 days before release |
| eBook pre-orders | Up to 18 months ahead (created on or after Sept 2, 2026) |

## What KDP offers for print

KDP's Schedule a Release page states that KDP does not offer pre-orders for print books, meaning paperbacks and hardcovers. The Kindle eBook Pre-Order page says the same from the other side: pre-orders are available for eBooks only.

What print books get is a scheduled release. You upload the finished manuscript, pick a release date up to 90 days out, and publish. KDP reviews the book, then keeps the Amazon detail page hidden until 12:00 AM GMT on the release date, when the book goes on sale. Customers cannot place orders before then.

## Timeline and deadlines

- **Manuscript required up front.** You must upload the manuscript to schedule a release.
- **Changes allowed until the deadline.** You can edit the book, move the date up, or delay it by up to 90 days before the submission deadline shown in the countdown timer.
- **Five-day lock.** From five days before release, status becomes Release Scheduled – Ready for Release. You cannot change the manuscript, details or date, unpublish, or order author copies until after release.

## Using an eBook pre-order instead

If you want customers to order before launch, the only KDP option is an eBook pre-order, which also counts toward sales rank before release. KDP allows release dates up to 18 months ahead for pre-orders created on or after September 2, 2026 (12 months for older ones), up to 10 active pre-orders at a time, and requires the final file at least 72 hours before release.

## Common mistakes

- Expecting the scheduled date to create a pre-order button. It does not; the page is invisible until launch.
- Scheduling a release for a low-content or previously published book. Those are not eligible.
- Leaving fixes to the last week. Nothing can change inside the five-day lock, and KDP support cannot unlock it.

Amazon changes these rules; the linked KDP help pages are the authority.

## FAQ

**Which print books can use a scheduled release?**

Only new KDP print books. Public domain books, low-content books, previously published books and books scheduled for release with another publisher are not eligible.

**Can I order author copies before a scheduled release?**

Yes. Once the status is Release Scheduled, allow a day and you can order author copies while the page is hidden, until the last five days before release.

**I'm running a print pre-order through another service. Should I set a KDP release date?**

No. KDP warns that using its Release Date option will hide your Amazon product detail page until the release date.

## Sources

- https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GDTMGBCWHAY35NK4
- https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201499380

Last checked: 2026-11-09. Page: https://kdp123.com/facts/hardcover-and-paperback-preorders/. Data: CC BY 4.0, kdp123.com.