Lulu print-on-demand guide for authors who want control of the product
Lulu is a print-on-demand platform with a wide range of book formats. This guide covers who it suits and what to prepare.
What Lulu is
Lulu prints books on demand and can sell them through its own store, through a distribution option or through a shop you connect yourself. It offers more formats than many rivals, such as hardcovers, spiral and saddle-stitch binding.
Its strength is choice of product. Its trade-off is that the print cost and royalty depend on the format and channel, so you need to quote each book.
Who it suits
- Authors who want an unusual format, such as a workbook, photo book or hardcover
- Authors who plan to sell direct to readers
- Authors who want small print runs with no storage
- Authors who want to compare print cost with KDP and IngramSpark
What to prepare before you upload
- Interior and cover files that match the format you choose
- The exact trim, paper, binding and page count, because cost depends on all four
- A price that covers manufacturing cost and leaves a royalty
- Metadata and a description that match your other platforms
- Clear rights for images, fonts and any third-party text
Things to weigh up
- Print cost is quoted by Lulu's own calculator, so get a quote for each book
- Royalty is retail price minus manufacturing cost minus any channel share, so direct sales and distribution differ
- Shipping cost affects what readers pay, so check it before you set a price
- Check which retailers each distribution option reaches before you rely on it
Free tools for Lulu
Each tool runs in your browser. Nothing you enter is uploaded. Results are planning estimates, so confirm the final figure on Lulu itself.
- Royalty & Print Cost CalculatorEnter your Lulu quote to see profit per copy beside other platforms.
- Cover & Spine CalculatorWork out spine and cover size for the format you chose.
- Interior PDF CheckerTest your interior PDF before you upload it.
Common questions
Does Lulu have a single print cost I can look up?
No. Cost depends on trim size, paper, binding, colour and page count. Use Lulu's own calculator for the exact figure.
Can I sell my Lulu book on my own website?
Lulu supports selling through connected shops as well as its own store. Check its current options and the royalty that applies to each channel.
Should I use Lulu or KDP?
Many authors use both. KDP suits Amazon readers. Lulu suits special formats and direct sales. Compare the printing cost and royalty for each book before you decide.
Official pages
Disclaimer. This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Platform terms, fees and rules change, so confirm them on Lulu's own pages before you publish. Book Recommendations is independent and is not affiliated with Lulu. See the full disclaimer and our editorial policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.