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CreateSpace
CreateSpace
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On-Demand Publishing, LLC, doing business as CreateSpace, was a self-publishing service owned by Amazon.[3][4] The company was founded in 2000 in South Carolina as BookSurge and was acquired by Amazon in 2005.[5]

Key Information

CreateSpace published books containing any content at all, other than just placeholder text.[6] It neither edited nor verified. Books were printed on demand, meaning each volume was produced in response to an actual purchase on Amazon.[7]

CreateSpace continued its publishing services for 8 years until its transfer to Amazon's Media on Demand. By 2018, it had published 1,416,384 books for over 15,000 authors.[8]

In July 2018, CreateSpace announced it would be transferring media to Amazon's Media on Demand services in the following months.[9] CreateSpace merged with Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) service later that year.[10][11]

See also

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References

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from Grokipedia
CreateSpace was a print-on-demand (POD) self-publishing platform owned and operated by Amazon, enabling independent authors, publishers, and creators to design, produce, and distribute books, music, and video content without upfront inventory costs or minimum orders. Founded in 2000 as BookSurge LLC in Charleston, South Carolina, the company specialized in on-demand printing and binding of books, allowing for quick fulfillment directly through Amazon's marketplace and other channels. Amazon acquired BookSurge in April 2005 to bolster its POD capabilities. In July 2005, Amazon acquired CustomFlix, which was rebranded as CreateSpace in 2007 to offer services for DVDs and CDs. BookSurge was merged into CreateSpace in 2009, expanding the platform to encompass books, DVDs, and CDs. Key features of CreateSpace included free tools for interior formatting, cover design, and ISBN assignment, with royalties paid to creators based on sales after printing costs, typically ranging from 40% to 60% for standard paperbacks. It supported a variety of trim sizes, paper types (black ink on white or cream paper), and binding options like perfect-bound paperbacks, while offering expanded distribution to non-Amazon retailers such as and libraries for an additional fee. Authors could order proof copies at cost and access sales reports, proofs, and author copies through an online dashboard, making it a popular choice for over a million titles by the mid-2010s due to its ease of use and global reach via Amazon's infrastructure. In August 2018, Amazon announced the merger of CreateSpace into its (KDP) platform to streamline services, with all accounts and titles automatically transferred by early 2019 and full integration completed by March 2020. This transition preserved core POD functionalities under KDP Print, including enhanced options for hardcovers and better international shipping, while phasing out the separate CreateSpace brand and website. The move reflected Amazon's ongoing evolution in digital and print , reducing redundancy and improving author tools amid growing demand for accessible publishing.

History

Origins as BookSurge

BookSurge was founded in March 2000 in , by Mitchell Davis and his business associates, as one of the early integrated global print-on-demand services for books. From its inception, the company concentrated on delivering print-on-demand solutions tailored for traditional publishers and independent authors, encompassing the full process from digital file submission to printing, binding, and direct shipping to customers. This approach allowed for the production of books in small quantities—often just one or a few copies at a time—without the need for large initial print runs, thereby serving niche markets and obscure titles effectively. A core innovation of BookSurge was its just-in-time printing technology, which minimized inventory costs by producing books only upon receiving orders and facilitated global distribution through localized printing facilities. This model eliminated the financial risks associated with unsold stock and enabled rapid turnaround, as demonstrated by the company's ability to print 10,000 copies of a post-9/11 anthology in just five days using digital web presses. By 2004, BookSurge had expanded operations to countries including , , , and , with sales growing 60% year-over-year and serving around 4,000 authors. BookSurge's initial business model centered on forging partnerships with publishers to handle backlist titles and short-run printing needs, comprising about 97% of its operations through its print-on-demand unit. This emphasis on efficient, low-volume production positioned the company as a key player in transforming the economics of book publishing during the early . The company was subsequently acquired by Amazon in 2005.

Amazon Acquisition and Early Integration

In 2005, Amazon.com acquired BookSurge, a print-on-demand founded in 2000, for an undisclosed amount to bolster its capabilities in inventory-free book production and distribution. The acquisition, announced on April 4, positioned BookSurge as a key asset in Amazon's strategy to expand its book offerings without the financial risks associated with traditional inventory stocking. This move allowed Amazon to print books only upon order, enabling a broader catalog of titles available for immediate fulfillment through its . Following the acquisition, BookSurge operated as a brand under On-Demand Publishing, LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc., maintaining its core operations in Charleston, South Carolina, while aligning more closely with Amazon's infrastructure. The integration focused on leveraging Amazon's seller central platform to streamline publishing workflows for authors and small publishers, ensuring seamless listing and sales of print-on-demand titles directly on Amazon.com. Early operational shifts included enhanced connectivity between BookSurge's printing facilities and Amazon's fulfillment centers, which reduced delivery times for customers ordering self-published works. These initial enhancements were driven by Amazon's broader objective to disrupt the conventional publishing industry by lowering barriers for independent authors, thereby increasing the diversity and volume of available books on its platform. By integrating BookSurge's technology, Amazon aimed to compete more effectively in the space, offering faster access to niche and out-of-print titles while minimizing overstock risks for publishers. This early phase marked a pivotal step in embedding print-on-demand services within Amazon's ecosystem, setting the foundation for expanded reach to its global customer base.

Brand Consolidation and Expansion

In 2009, Amazon completed the merger of BookSurge's operations into CreateSpace, effectively retiring the BookSurge brand to create a unified platform for under the CreateSpace name. This consolidation streamlined tools and services for independent authors and creators, allowing for more efficient print-on-demand processes and distribution integration within Amazon's ecosystem. Following the merger, CreateSpace expanded beyond its initial book-focused print-on-demand model to encompass media production services, including video and DVD creation through its CustomFlix heritage, as well as audio and CD production for music artists. These additions enabled independent filmmakers and musicians to access on-demand and distribution without upfront inventory costs, broadening the platform's appeal to diverse creative professionals. By integrating these services, CreateSpace facilitated a one-stop solution for production, leveraging Amazon's for global reach. The platform experienced significant growth during the 2010-2018 period, serving thousands of independent creators and over 1.4 million in 2018 alone, a marked increase from approximately 752,000 the previous year. This expansion was supported by integration with Amazon's global , which included printing facilities in the United States, , and to enable faster international fulfillment and reduced shipping times. Key developments included the introduction of free options for authors publishing through the platform, simplifying the setup process and lowering for self-publishers. Additionally, CreateSpace established partnerships with external distributors such as Ingram and Baker & Taylor via its Expanded Distribution program, allowing creators to reach bookstores, libraries, and online retailers beyond Amazon's marketplace.

Merger with Kindle Direct Publishing

In August 2018, Amazon announced the merger of CreateSpace into Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) to establish a single, unified platform for self-publishing both ebooks and print books. The primary reasons for the merger included streamlining the user experience by eliminating service duplication, as CreateSpace focused on print-on-demand while KDP handled ebooks, and enhancing synergy between digital and physical formats through KDP's established tools. Migration of accounts and titles began automatically in September 2018, with the process rolling out in phases to ensure continuity of sales; full integration was completed by December 18, 2018, at which point all CreateSpace operations transitioned to KDP Print. For users, the transition involved automated transfers of titles to the KDP Bookshelf, where authors could access their content using their existing CreateSpace login credentials linked to a KDP account; manual migration was available for those preferring to upload files anew, and key differences included adjustments to expanded distribution options, which in KDP required titles to be available through Amazon channels first, potentially affecting non-Amazon retailer reach.

Services

CreateSpace's print-on-demand book publishing service enabled independent authors and small publishers to produce paperback books efficiently, printing copies only when ordered to minimize costs and eliminate the need for . Launched as an extension of Amazon's ecosystem, the service focused on high-quality, professional-grade output using technology, allowing global fulfillment from facilities in the United States, , and . This model democratized access to traditional elements like binding and distribution without requiring large upfront investments. Authors initiated the publishing process by uploading a print-ready PDF for the book interior and a separate PDF for the cover, formatted according to platform specifications to ensure compatibility with equipment. The service supported black-and-white or color interiors, with authors selecting options during setup to match their content needs—such as standard color for illustrated works or premium color for higher-fidelity images. Manuscripts had to include embedded fonts and adhere to bleed settings where applicable, with CreateSpace providing templates to guide formatting. A range of trim sizes accommodated diverse book types, from compact novels at 5" x 8" to larger formats like 8.5" x 11" for textbooks or journals, all using perfect-bound paperback binding for durability. For black-and-white printing, options included white or creme paper at 55# weight (90 GSM), while color printing used 60# white paper (100 GSM) for optimal contrast and vibrancy; creme paper, favored for fiction due to reduced glare, was unavailable for color interiors. Representative trim sizes for black-and-white included 6" x 9" (common for trade paperbacks) and 5.5" x 8.5" (suitable for novellas), with expanded choices like 7" x 10" for non-fiction; color supported fewer sizes, such as 8.5" x 8.5" for square-format books. Custom trim sizes were permitted but restricted distribution channels. Quality assurance began with a free digital preview via the Interior Reviewer tool, which simulated the printed layout to detect issues like margin errors or font rendering problems after an initial file review process (typically 12-24 hours). Authors then ordered physical proof copies at cost (printing plus shipping, around $3-5 per copy domestically) to inspect tangible aspects such as feel, binding alignment, and color accuracy before final approval. Up to five proofs were allowed per title without ISBN assignment, marked "Not for Resale" to prevent commercial use. This step-by-step validation helped minimize errors in the final product. Upon approval, books integrated seamlessly with Amazon's marketplace, listing automatically on Amazon.com with optimized metadata for discoverability. Authors could opt into Expanded Distribution for broader reach, making titles available to retailers like , independent bookstores, online sellers, libraries, and academic institutions through wholesalers such as Ingram—though this required industry-standard trim sizes and for full eligibility, potentially at lower royalties due to wholesale discounts. This channel exposed books to non-Amazon customers while leveraging CreateSpace's efficiency for on-demand fulfillment.

Media Production Services

CreateSpace provided on-demand production services for audio content, enabling creators to manufacture CDs for music albums, audiobooks, and recordings. These services utilized high-quality duplication processes to produce discs upon customer orders, with options for full-color printing on the disc surface and packaging in standard jewel cases that included custom artwork and inserts. The platform integrated fulfillment directly with Amazon, allowing seamless distribution and sales through the retailer's marketplace, similar to its print-on-demand model for books. In addition to audio, CreateSpace offered video production services focused on DVD and Blu-ray manufacturing for independent films, educational materials, and promotional videos. These discs supported standard broadcast formats such as and PAL, ensuring compatibility across regional video standards, and featured professional duplication with full-color cover printing encased in standard Amaray DVD cases. Like the audio offerings, emphasized short-run, order-based replication to minimize upfront costs for creators, with Amazon handling storage, printing, and shipping. These media production services were discontinued following an announcement on July 25, 2018, as CreateSpace shifted its focus toward book publishing; all existing , DVD, and Blu-ray titles were migrated to Amazon's Media on Demand platform over the following months. This transition redirected creators to specialized partners for ongoing audio and video needs, marking the end of CreateSpace's involvement in non-book media manufacturing.

Expanded Distribution

CreateSpace provided creators with expanded distribution options that extended beyond the Amazon ecosystem, enabling self-published titles to reach a wider array of retailers, libraries, and academic institutions. Through an opt-in expanded distribution program, books were made available via partnerships with major distributors such as , which facilitated access to physical and online bookstores, including chains like , as well as library systems and educational channels. This service operated on a print-on-demand basis, allowing authors to avoid upfront inventory costs while offering global reach for small print runs. Creators benefited from free setup for these distribution channels, full control over retail pricing, and inventory-free sales, as orders were fulfilled directly by CreateSpace's facilities upon purchase. However, the expanded distribution had notable limitations, including restrictions to formats (primarily paperbacks) and select regions, with reduced royalty rates due to wholesaler discounts—typically around 40% off the —and higher per-unit printing costs compared to Amazon-exclusive sales.

Platform Features

Publishing Workflow and Tools

The publishing workflow on CreateSpace began with account creation, where authors registered for a free account using an email address, password, and basic personal details, enabling access to the platform's . Once logged in, authors initiated a new project by selecting "Add New Title" and choosing between guided or expert setup options, entering essential book details such as title, author name, language, and interior type (e.g., black and white or color). CreateSpace provided free downloadable templates in or PDF formats to assist with manuscript preparation, ensuring compatibility with various trim sizes and ensuring proper margins for print-on-demand production. Authors then uploaded their formatted as a PDF file, followed by the cover file, through the platform's web interface, which supported mobile-friendly uploads for convenience. After upload, CreateSpace performed an automated file review process, typically taking 12-24 hours, to check for compliance with formatting guidelines, such as bleed settings and resolution requirements. Authors could then generate a preview of the book using built-in tools to inspect the layout. If issues were flagged, revisions were made and re-uploaded, triggering another review cycle. Upon successful review, authors ordered physical proof copies directly from the to evaluate print quality, with digital previews available in the interim for quick checks. Approval of the proof finalized the interior and cover, allowing authors to proceed to publication by confirming distribution options and pricing, after which the book entered the print-on-demand queue. Key tools streamlined this process. The CreateSpace Interior Reviewer was an online PDF validator that allowed authors to preview their manuscript page-by-page, automatically adjust to the selected trim size (e.g., 5x8 inches or 6x9 inches), add appropriate spine margins, and identify potential issues like low-resolution images or improper margins before submission. The Cover Creator served as a template-based design tool, enabling users to build front, back, and spine elements using pre-set layouts, fonts, and image uploads without advanced software, though custom PDF covers could also be uploaded for more complex designs. For ISBN assignment, CreateSpace offered a free service where authors could obtain an , with the publisher name listed as "CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform," simplifying the setup for self-publishers who lacked their own ISBN blocks. The user acted as a centralized hub, where managed multiple titles, tracked in real-time, ordered copies or proofs at , and monitored the status of each project from upload to live distribution. This interface facilitated iterative revisions, with changes to files requiring a new review but updates to metadata (like descriptions or keywords) processed more quickly. Overall, these features made the workflow accessible for independent , emphasizing ease of use through free, integrated tools and templates.

Distribution and Quality Control

CreateSpace maintained a distributed network of printing facilities to support its print-on-demand model, with major operations in the United States at locations in , and . These U.S. sites handled high-volume production for North American markets. was handled at US facilities, with international shipping via Amazon's to reduce times and costs for orders worldwide. Although CreateSpace did not operate a dedicated printing facility in , it facilitated production through partnerships and Amazon's for efficient delivery in that region. Fulfillment processes were designed for rapid turnaround, with books printed on demand upon order placement and typically shipped within 24 to 72 hours. This efficiency relied on integration with Amazon's logistics infrastructure, which managed inventory-free distribution, alongside third-party carriers like the (USPS) and (UPS) for domestic and international delivery. Author copies and customer orders were processed similarly, ensuring consistent availability without the need for upfront stock printing. Quality control began with automated file validation during the , scanning uploads for compliance with technical specifications such as proper margins (minimum 0.25 inches for interiors), bleed settings (0.125 inches for covers with full-bleed elements), and standards of at least 300 DPI to prevent or artifacts. Following , manual reviews of digital proofs allowed authors to inspect for errors, with CreateSpace's team conducting additional checks to enforce guidelines on color modes (CMYK for print) and font embedding before approving production. These measures minimized defects, though occasional issues like misalignment prompted reprint options at no extra cost if standards were not met. Titles published through CreateSpace achieved global availability across Amazon's international marketplaces, including Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, and Amazon.co.jp, with automatic localization for currencies, languages, and regional pricing to align with local markets. This setup enabled seamless access for readers in over 45 countries, leveraging Amazon's platform for discovery and purchase without requiring separate publisher setups for each territory.

Royalties and Pricing Structure

CreateSpace operated on a royalty-based financial model where authors received earnings from book sales after deducting printing costs and distribution fees, with no upfront setup or publishing fees required. The standard royalty rate for sales through Amazon channels was 60% of the book's list price minus the printing costs, allowing authors flexibility in setting prices while ensuring profitability above the minimum thresholds. For example, on a $12.99 list price book sold via Amazon, the author's royalty would be calculated as 60% of $12.99 ($7.794) minus the applicable printing costs, such as $3.25 for a 200-page black-and-white interior (comprising a $0.85 fixed cost plus $0.012 per page), resulting in approximately $4.54 per sale. Printing costs varied by book specifications, including page count, ink type, and trim size, but followed a consistent formula: a plus a per-page charge. For black-and-white interiors in standard trim sizes (e.g., 6x9 inches), books of 108 pages or fewer incurred a flat $2.15 printing cost, while longer books used $0.85 plus $0.012 per page. Color interiors used a separate rate of $0.85 fixed plus $0.07 per page (for books exceeding 40 pages), significantly increasing costs for illustrated or premium content; for instance, a 150-page standard color would cost about $11.35 to print. Authors set the , but it had to meet a minimum to cover printing and yield positive royalties, such as approximately $3.60 for a 100-page black-and-white (where printing costs of $2.15 divided by the 60% royalty rate establishes the floor). There were no maximum list price restrictions beyond market considerations, enabling authors to price competitively or premium. For non-Amazon through expanded distribution, royalties were lower at 40% of the minus costs, as distributors took a larger share, which influenced authors' decisions on distribution options. Royalties were paid monthly via (preferred for faster processing) or check, approximately 60 days after the end of the month, with a $100 minimum threshold for checks; expanded distribution followed a 90-day timeline. This structure provided authors with predictable earnings tied directly to volume and , without risks due to the print-on-demand model.

Legacy and Impact

Influence on Self-Publishing

CreateSpace played a pivotal role in democratizing by introducing a print-on-demand () model that eliminated upfront printing and inventory costs for independent authors, allowing them to focus resources on writing and rather than production . This accessibility empowered a diverse range of indie authors, from niche writers to first-time creators, to bring their work to market without the financial risks associated with traditional . By 2018, the platform had facilitated the publication of over 1.4 million self-published print titles, accounting for 84.4% of all self-published print ISBNs that year and reflecting a 654% growth in its output since 2013. This growth continued post-merger, with self-published titles exceeding 2.6 million in 2023, reflecting the sustained impact of the accessible POD model pioneered by CreateSpace. The platform's seamless integration with Amazon's (KDP) enabled hybrid strategies that combined ebook and print releases, significantly boosting the visibility and sales potential of self-published works. This synergy contributed to the emergence of notable self-published bestsellers, such as Hugh Howey's series, which began as an ebook and expanded into print via Amazon's ecosystem, eventually selling millions of copies worldwide. By 2017, the number of self-published titles surpassed 1 million for the first time, driven largely by CreateSpace's efficiency, while self-published ebooks captured 30-34% of Amazon's overall ebook sales, underscoring the platform's transformative impact on market dynamics. CreateSpace's dominance in POD spurred competition, prompting services like IngramSpark to refine their offerings for broader bookstore distribution and global reach. Furthermore, its model influenced traditional publishers to increasingly adopt POD for backlist titles, minimizing overstock and enabling on-demand reprints to meet sporadic demand. This shift marked a broader industry evolution toward more flexible, cost-effective production methods.

Transition Challenges and User Feedback

The transition from CreateSpace to (KDP) in 2018 presented several challenges for authors, primarily stemming from the phased migration process announced by Amazon that year. Common issues included delays in title migrations, with automatic transfers taking up to several weeks as Amazon processed accounts in batches to avoid overwhelming the system. Differences in expanded distribution availability also arose, requiring authors to re-enroll titles, a process that could take 6-8 weeks and temporarily limited access to non-Amazon channels. Additionally, some authors experienced temporary sales disruptions due to glitches such as account linking errors or inaccessible sales data during the shift. Printing discrepancies, including issues with hyphens, sidebars, and subtitles being flagged, further complicated the move for certain titles. User feedback on the transition was mixed, reflecting both appreciation for the streamlined unified interface in KDP and frustration over the loss of CreateSpace-specific features. Authors praised the integration of print and digital management in a single platform, which simplified workflows for those already using KDP for e-books. However, complaints were widespread regarding diminished , with KDP relying on web-based tickets rather than the phone support previously available through CreateSpace, leading to slower response times. Other grievances included the discontinuation of CreateSpace's community forums and tools like the Cover Creator, which some found more intuitive, resulting in additional effort to recreate covers that did not transfer seamlessly. Amazon provided dedicated support to facilitate the merger, including detailed migration guides on the KDP Help Center, email notifications prompting account transfers, and temporary phone helplines in English for troubleshooting issues like account linking. By late 2018, the vast majority of titles had been successfully migrated, with the process fully completing by early 2019 as CreateSpace operations fully integrated into KDP. In the long term, some authors encountered ongoing adjustments, such as higher printing costs for low-page-count books in due to KDP's pricing structure and the need for reformatting to meet KDP's stricter specifications on margins, , and file compatibility. Unsupported languages like Chinese and certain Latin-based scripts also posed barriers, forcing republishing efforts for affected titles. These changes ultimately pushed many toward adapting to KDP's ecosystem, though not without initial hurdles.

Current Status and Successor Services

CreateSpace was fully discontinued as a separate service following its merger with (KDP) in 2018, with the CreateSpace website shutting down by early 2020 and all operations absorbed into KDP Print. As of March 30, 2020, the CreateSpace Member Agreement was entirely replaced by the KDP Terms and Conditions, eliminating any independent legal or operational framework for the platform. No separate CreateSpace entity remains, and users are directed to KDP for all print-on-demand activities. KDP Print has since evolved to include enhancements unavailable in CreateSpace, such as premium color ink options for higher-quality image reproduction in paperbacks, binding formats, and expanded global distribution through partnerships with bookstores, libraries, and retailers beyond Amazon's . These features provide self-publishers with greater flexibility in production and reach compared to CreateSpace's more limited paperback-focused offerings. The legacy of CreateSpace persists through the millions of titles originated on the platform, which were automatically migrated to KDP and continue to be printed and sold on demand as of 2025. This 2020 agreement update solidified the transition, ensuring seamless continuity for existing content without interruption. Looking ahead, KDP builds on CreateSpace's foundation by integrating directly with Amazon Ads for targeted promotion of print titles and Author Central for unified author profiles that link eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers across marketplaces. These tools enable self-publishers to manage marketing and visibility more efficiently within Amazon's ecosystem.

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