Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Blurb VS IngramSpark

Compare Blurb VS IngramSpark and see what are their differences

Blurb logo Blurb

Create and self-publish books, magazines & ebooks

IngramSpark logo IngramSpark

IngramSpark is an Online publishing services provider platform that allows you to publish or print books that are in high quality, and its global distribution service enables you to post and share around the globe.
  • Blurb Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-07
  • IngramSpark Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-21

Blurb features and specs

  • Customizability
    Blurb offers a high level of customizability for creating photo books, ebooks, and other print materials. Users can choose from various templates or use their own designs, making it ideal for personalized projects.
  • Range of Products
    Blurb provides a wide array of products including trade books, photo books, magazines, and ebooks, catering to different publishing needs and preferences.
  • Integration with Adobe InDesign
    For professional designers, Blurb integrates with Adobe InDesign through the Blurb Book Creator plugin, allowing seamless design and publishing workflows.
  • Print Quality
    Blurb is known for high print quality with options for premium paper and professional printing finishes, ensuring that books and magazines look polished and professional.
  • Print on Demand
    The platform offers print-on-demand services, which means you can print as few or as many copies as you need without the risk of overproduction.

Possible disadvantages of Blurb

  • Pricing
    Blurb can be more expensive compared to other self-publishing platforms, especially when opting for premium features or low-volume print runs.
  • Complexity for Beginners
    The range of options and features can be overwhelming for beginners or users without design experience, potentially leading to a steep learning curve.
  • Limited Marketing Support
    Blurb does not offer extensive marketing support compared to some other self-publishing platforms, which can make it challenging for authors to promote their books effectively.
  • Geographical Availability
    Blurb’s shipping and availability might be limited or more expensive in certain geographical locations, impacting international users.
  • File Requirements
    The platform has specific file requirements that may require additional formatting work, particularly for users who are not familiar with publishing standards.

IngramSpark features and specs

  • Wide Distribution Network
    IngramSpark offers access to a vast distribution network, allowing books to reach major retailers, libraries, and independent bookstores worldwide.
  • Print-on-Demand Service
    Books can be printed on demand, which reduces the need for large upfront print runs and minimizes storage and inventory costs.
  • Global Reach
    Authors and publishers can distribute books both in physical and digital formats to an international audience, expanding market opportunities.
  • Professional Quality Printing
    The platform provides high-quality printing services, ensuring that the books meet the standards expected by readers and retailers.
  • One-Stop Platform
    Authors can manage both their print and eBook distribution from a single platform, simplifying the publishing process.

Possible disadvantages of IngramSpark

  • Setup and Revision Fees
    There are fees associated with setting up titles and making revisions, which can add up, especially for authors with multiple titles.
  • Complex Interface
    The platform's interface and process can be complex and intimidating, particularly for first-time and self-published authors.
  • Limited Marketing Support
    While IngramSpark provides extensive distribution options, its marketing support and tools are somewhat limited compared to dedicated marketing services.
  • Variable Print Costs
    Print-on-demand costs can be higher on a per-unit basis than traditional bulk printing, which might impact the pricing strategy and profit margins.
  • Discounting and Returns
    Retailers often expect discounts and may return unsold stock, which can complicate pricing and financial planning for authors.

Blurb videos

Blurb Trade Book Review and Blurb Photo Book Review

More videos:

  • Review - Blurb vs Shutterfly Lay Flat Photo Book Comparison
  • Review - BLURB PHOTO BOOK - REVIEW

IngramSpark videos

IngramSpark Review - Should YOU Self-Publish with IngramSpark?

More videos:

  • Review - IngramSpark Hardback Review - Alternative Self Publishing Platform - Never Expected This
  • Review - 6 Things to Know Before Self-Publishing With IngramSpark

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Blurb and IngramSpark)
Digital Publishing
52 52%
48% 48
Online Presence Management
e-Books And Digital Publishing Software
eCommerce
60 60%
40% 40

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Blurb and IngramSpark

Blurb Reviews

Let's find the best eBook creator.Here's a List of the 10 best eBook creation software tools:
Blurb provides you with an eBook creation software for creating and publishing. You would first have to download their free desktop software package in order to start with book creation. It also gives you the option to upload a PDF and convert it into an eBook.
Source: kitaboo.com

IngramSpark Reviews

We have no reviews of IngramSpark yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Blurb should be more popular than IngramSpark. It has been mentiond 11 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Blurb mentions (11)

  • Got blurb to print some adventures I created using homebrewery! :D
    It's blurb.com, the cost per print is okay but they get you with the shipping. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • LR Classic Book Module
    I mean, "any sense" is a pretty strong statement. I've made a number of books from blurb.com, as have literally thousands of other people. Anyway, I guess we've both expressed our desires which will be equally ignored by Adobe. Source: over 2 years ago
  • 9 year old wants to print his book - BookCreator app is the worst when it comes to printing. Any ideas?
    If you are just looking to print a couple for fun I would probably use something like blurb.com. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Printing HPMOR Mega-Thread
    Blurb: 70€ for 6-volume set (after 35% off); proof; discount codes; step-by-step blurb instructions. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Publishing a Photo Book
    I would love to have some help going to selection of pics, and putting it together, but not sure where to start. I reached out to one publishing service who said they could do it for $500. I've also heard of blurb.com which seems like a bigger operation, but costly since they print on demand etc. So they would set the price higher to recoup their costs. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

IngramSpark mentions (3)

  • What are the channels for self publishing? How is self publishing better than getting your book published from a publishing house? Which option should be chosen by the first time writers?
    If your book is of high quality, it will be accepted by a publishing house. Use ingramspark.com for all your self publishing needs. They will do everything for you. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Can someone recommend a service to print and publish a large child's book?
    We use ingramspark.com to publish my boss's books. And it's connected to Amazon so once you upload everything, your book will also be sold on Amazon. Good luck. Source: about 4 years ago
  • 05.07.2021 - My Sky
    Ingramspark.com costs about 240 to print to public, with each order, print on demand. Source: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Blurb and IngramSpark, you can also consider the following products

Lulu - Whether you're a teacher, photographer or hobbyist, share your expertise. Create & self publish your book today!

BookBaby - Self-publish, print and distribute your book worldwide at Amazon, Kindle, Apple Books and Barnes & Noble. We make book printing & publishing fast, easy and affordable.

CreateSpace - Publish your words, your way

PixxiBook - Easily transform your blog into a printed book.

Into Real Pages - Print your blog. Turn it into a great looking book! Supported: Wordpress, Tumblr, Typepad, Blogger, Travellerspoint

Blurb BookSmart - Blurb BookSmart® software makes it easy for anyone to create a bookstore-quality book.

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