Lulu

Lulu is a print-on-demand and distribution platform for self-publishers that sells through its own bookstore, retail channels and the author's own store.

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At a glance

Price: Free (Free to publish. Creator gets 80% of gross profit on print (90% on ebooks) after print cost and retailer share. One-time $4.99 Global Distribution review fee. Lulu Direct: you pay print and shipping and keep the sale.)
Platforms: Web
Outputs KDP-ready files: No
Touches your KDP account: No
Categories: Print & Distribution
Last checked: 2026-11-09

Summary

Lulu prints books on demand and sells them on the Lulu Bookstore, through Global Distribution (Amazon, Ingram and ebook stores) or from your own Shopify, Wix or WooCommerce store via Lulu Direct. Publishing is free; Lulu keeps 20% of gross profit on print and 10% on ebooks, and Global Distribution adds a one-time $4.99 review fee per new title. Print distribution cannot opt out of Amazon, so a Lulu-distributed paperback can duplicate a KDP paperback. Ebooks sent to retailers through Lulu conflict with KDP Select.

Best for

Selling print books from your own website with automated fulfillment

Pros

Lulu Direct connects print-on-demand to Shopify, Wix and WooCommerce
No ISBN needed to sell on the Lulu Bookstore

Cons

Print Global Distribution always includes Amazon, with no opt-out
Retail listings can take 12 weeks or more

Alternatives

Bookvault: Bookvault is a UK print-on-demand service for indie authors that fulfills direct-store orders and lists print books with retailers including Amazon.
IngramSpark: IngramSpark is a print-on-demand and distribution service that reaches bookstores and libraries beyond Amazon.
Blurb: Blurb is a print-on-demand book maker for photographers and self-publishers that prints photo books, trade books and magazines and can list them with retailers.

Sources

Facts on this page come from the vendor and these pages. Prices change; confirm on the vendor site.

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