How to Print A Self-Published Book

As homeschoolers, many of us have written a book or have students who have written a book. In Classical Conversation’s Challenge B year, each student writes a short story and then the Director or Tutor gets it printed!

But how do you go about getting a book printed?

I like to use Ingram Spark. It’s a giant print-on-demand service that MANY self-published authors use. If you want, you can even make your book available for public purchase this way! Here are some sample prices (from May 2025) for books I’ve recently helped get printed (before shipping, which is never free):

  • Black and White
    • 6×9 Paperback, 50lb paper, Black and White print, 204 pages: $4.23
    • 6×9 Paperback, 50lb paper, Black and White print, 102 pages: $2.77
    • 5.5×8.5 Paperback, 50lb paper, Black and White print, 132 pages: $3.20
  • Color
    • 6×9 Paperback, 50lb paper, Color print, 204 pages: $6.48
    • 6×9 Hardback, 50lb paper, Color print, 204 pages: $11.64
    • 6×9 Paperback, 70lb paper, Premium Color print, 204 pages: $15.59
    • 6×9 Paperback, 50lb paper, Color print, 274 pages: $8.14

Gather Your Book Information

First, you’ll need to make some decisions and gather your info. After a few years of doing this, I now send this “Printing Your Ch. B Short Story Anthology” PDF to Directors/Tutors to help them gather all the information they need and communicate will to their class. I also ask that they print a copy of the “student responsibilities” section for each of their students.

When you’re ready to print, Ingram Spark will ask you to upload your cover file (which includes the front, spine, and back as one image) and interior file separately.

Book Cover

Use Ingram Spark’s cover generator (look under “Tools and Resources”) to generate a blank PDF and then use a photo editing software (I like PixelmatorPro way more than PhotoShop!) to drop your images and text in.

Book Interior

Either use a specific software like Vellum or Atticus to format your interior, or use one of Ingram Spark’s tools. I own Vellum (which also formats ebooks) so I always use that, so I’m not familiar with their tools, but I know many people do use them. They have several helpful videos that will walk you through the process!

If you’d like to hire out your book formatting, I highly recommend my sister, Deanna Munger. Her website is aimed at authors but she understands and is familiar with the Challenge B anthologies. I’d encourage you to reach out to her instead of trying to sort through all the options on her website.

More Self-Publishing Help

  • Dave Chesson at Kindlepreneur has a ton of free resources and tools for all authors.
  • Joanna Penn at The Creative Penn is also super helpful with an amazing podcast. She talks about how to self-publish but also how to write well!