What the New Amazon Print Royalty Changes Mean for Authors
How Amazon's 2025 Royalty Update Affects Your Print Book Profits
As of 10 June 2025, Amazon has made significant changes to its royalty structure for paperback and hardcover books sold through KDP. For the first time in nearly twenty years, they have reduced the royalty rate on lower-priced print books. While some printing costs have also been adjusted, the headline change will affect how authors price and profit from their books.
Here’s what you need to know.
1. Lower Royalty Rate on Lower-Priced Paperbacks and Hardcovers
From 10 June, books priced below a certain threshold in each marketplace now earn a 50% royalty instead of the previous 60%. This change applies to both paperbacks and hardcovers.
The new thresholds vary by marketplace. For example:
Amazon.com: 50% applies to books priced 9.98 USD or below, 60% applies to 9.99 USD or above
Amazon.co.uk: 50% applies to books priced 7.98 GBP or below, 60% applies to 7.99 GBP or above
Amazon.ca: 13.98 CAD or below = 50%, 13.99 CAD or above = 60%
These thresholds reflect different operational costs and currency values per region. This means that a book may qualify for the 60% rate in one country and only 50% in another.
2. No Change to eBook Royalties
These updates only affect print editions. eBook royalties remain the same.
3. Impact on Minimum List Price and Royalties
If your book falls under the new 50% royalty band, your minimum list price increases. This is because the lower royalty percentage means the list price must be higher to cover Amazon’s print costs and still yield a royalty.
Example:
For a 300-page paperback (black and white interior) listed at 8.00 USD:
Before 10 June:
Royalty Rate: 60%
Printing Cost: 4.60 USD
Minimum List Price: 7.67 USD
Estimated Royalty: 0.33 USD
After 10 June:
Royalty Rate: 50%
Same Printing Cost: 4.60 USD
New Minimum List Price: 9.20 USD
Estimated Royalty: 0 USD (book is under minimum price)
If your current price falls below the new minimum, your royalty per sale may drop to zero. In that case, you will need to raise your book's price to continue earning.
You can check your titles using Amazon’s Printing Costs and Royalty Calculator or by reviewing each book’s pricing information in your KDP Bookshelf.
4. Printing Cost Reductions for Colour Books
There’s a bit of good news too. Amazon has reduced the printing cost for colour paperbacks in some regions. This is part of their annual printing cost review and may make colour printing more affordable for authors.
Key reductions include:
Amazon.com: Per-page cost for standard colour has dropped slightly (from 0.0270 USD to 0.0255 USD)
Amazon.co.uk: Premium colour per-unit and per-page fees have been reduced modestly
Amazon.de/.fr/.it/.es/.nl: Similar small reductions for premium colour printing
These changes affect both regular and large trim sizes, and only apply to paperbacks, not hardcovers.
5. What You Can Do Now
If you publish through KDP, this is a good time to:
Review your book prices across all marketplaces
Use the royalty calculator to see if your current prices meet the new thresholds
Update any titles that now fall below the minimum list price
Adjusting your pricing can help ensure you continue earning royalties and avoid unpleasant surprises in your reports.
Final Thoughts
While a 10% drop in royalties on lower-priced books is frustrating, especially for authors who rely on pricing competitively, the changes reflect rising operational costs. On the upside, the drop in colour printing fees may offer more flexibility for illustrated or design-heavy books.
Ultimately, now is the time to revisit your pricing strategy. A quick review of your KDP bookshelf could protect your margins and help you stay in control of your print earnings.