IngramSpark Reviews 1,604

Book creator limitations. Publisher compensation. All things that will make me review how I use Ingram spark. I think you do a great job but lot of work on my end for little reward

I love it, it is very fast and easy

As if right now. Sales is not as good as the beginning of the year.

I appreciate how fast you guys are

Print quality is very good and consistent. Distribution is seemless and easy. Pricing is fair and whenever we've had issues with shipments (damage, print/binding errors) Ingram has been very good.

Unwilling to explain their business decisions

Great service for self publishers.

Amazon and Google Play do not charge to upload and print paperback books
I have an updated eBook, new paperback text and cover and I was charged $75 that is a lot.

For wide distribution, they're the only game in town. But in the terms of Customer Service, transparency, and exporting data, this company leaves a lot to be desired. It would be helpful if we could see what stores are carrying our books. Also, Barnes & Noble seems to be very much against print on demand titles. This makes their claim of getting your book into larger stores and chains something that is not accurate. Finally, their print quality, while most of the time is pretty great, runs into quality control issues when entire batches are printed crooked.

Spent over almost $300 for a rush order of books almost 8 days ago.

Sent multiple emails.

It’s now the 12th and I have no response to my emails, no order, nothing… just out $275.

These place has horrible customer service. Whoever runs that dept needs to be fired and replaced.

I am from EU and I have selected Ingramspark for printing my book for the international distribution, especially in English Language. Unfortunately all the people in EU (not UK!) that tried to buy my book in Bookstores could NOT even purchase or order the book. They had to order it online. Additionally I have to say that I did not received my order in time (months delay), and only when I asked them I discovered that it was sent back to UK because they said they did not have the right info. Then I sent again exactly the same info and I got it. After months Ingramspark asked me 150 euro for the double delivery. It was obviously that was their mistake (the first 2 orders went through ok) but they simply told me I have to pay. It is a very bad experience because they do not control the process and UPS either. It is a pity but I would not do it again. The books they were anyway of good quality, I did not have issues with that.

The quality has been great with all 4 of my books. Just a couple of hiccups with the new book building tool, but they were resolved quickly. Overall you guys are doing a great job

Ingram provides perhaps the vastest distribution for books, and is trusted by retailers, so if you're not Amazon exclusive you need to seriously consider having your book(s) on Ingram.
Why 3 stars? Their customer service was never top notch and has only declined. Slow to respond. Often respond with a pat answer - that fails to address your concern. They often send the wrong book(s). I could go on.
Main alternative is Draft2Digital who I hear is much more responsive and helpful - but who distribute print via... Ingram Spark. So you're paying more for the same distribution.

I was happy to get the book I ordered from an author from Instagram. But, after opening the package, I immediately noticed the edge was glued shut and the book couldn't be opened. I immediately sent a email, with pictures and packaging slip to the company. This started a circular email chain with no end in sight. I've decided they aren't going to replace or refund this useless book and I'm screwed out of $50. Garbage vendors at work here!

I've been a customer of Ingram Spark for a number of years now, and while it hasn't been without its aggravations, I have observed a consistent marked improvement in processes and timelines.

As an author, publishing through IngramSpark has been one of the best decisions I've made. The platform offers incredible reach, allowing my books to be available globally, both in print and as e-books. The publishing process is straightforward and user-friendly, giving me complete control over every aspect of my work. IngramSpark is a reliable partner that helps me effectively manage my literary career. Highly recommended!— Marcin Grzesik

"Will it go round in circles?", asked Billy Preston.
Here's the answer: Yes! It will and it does!

Once again I've received another "Catalog Integrity Notice: After review, one or more of your titles are believed to violate our Catalog Integrity Guidelines. The below title has been removed from distribution...If you believe your title(s) has been flagged in error, please provide a reason here."

So I did. Again.
"Subject: Catalog Integrity appeal
Id: #3706330
Created: 6 hours ago
Status: Open
ISBN(s) You're Contesting: 9798218487089
Reason for Appeal: I appeal your decision because my book doesn't contain any of the types of content described in the referenced criteria.
I keep begging you to state which specific criterion do you claim my book violates."

Here we go again... Is it the the circular logic of the machine system Ingram employs to protect its Catalog Integrity or is it old-fashioned censorship baked into the system? I think Jaroslav Hašek must had been a genius. I am on the merry-go-round Švejk, the famous hero of his classic satire, describes:

"I used to know a cabinet maker, who got drunk for the first time on New Year’s Eve of the year 1910 and on January first in the morning he had such a thirst and he felt so sick, that he bought himself a herring and began drinking again, and he’s kept it up daily for four years already and nobody could help him, because on Saturday he always buys the herrings for the whole week. It is a sort of merry-go-round, as an old master sergeant of the 91st Regiment used to say.”

Another telling sign is that my first review hasn't been responded to by IngramSpark which responds to negative reviews within hours or a few days.

I invested significant time and effort in uploading my books to IngramSpark, including purchasing ISBNs at my own expense. The platform claims it takes 2-3 days to process and approve books, but after waiting 7 days, I contacted support. They informed me that it could actually take up to 10 business days, which I accepted. However, after waiting 14 business days, my submission was still pending, so I reached out again. I received a generic, copy-and-paste response stating that it would take up to 10 days—despite the fact that 4 days had already passed since that deadline. After pointing this out, I was told my case would be prioritized.

A week later, instead of resolving the issue, I received a message from support informing me that my account would be closed in 45 days, as per their terms. When I asked for an explanation, I was repeatedly given vague references to the terms and conditions without any specific reason for the account closure.

IngramSpark has proven to be an absolutely useless company and a complete waste of time. Their lack of transparency, poor communication, and failure to deliver on their promises are deeply disappointing.

Ingram Sparks is great. They will publish your book on 40,000 + platforms google, amazon, Etc. People writing bad reviews don't upload their manuscripts and artwork correctly like they should, so don't blame Ingram Sparks. They provide great customer service, tools, information, pricing, and overall book publishing capabilities. They are second to none. Just make sure you have your artwork and manuscript formatted correctly of which they clearly show on their website how to do it or hire some. They provide Great telephone email text or live chat support. Do what I say and you will find out how great they are in assisting you in publishing your book throughout the whole universe. Thanks Ingram Sparks for the great assistance tools and services. Keep up the great work.

I am always grateful for your help and your company, IngramSparks Publishing always attends to my enquiries in prompt time, which I appreciate, thank you