Amazon KDP Introduces Groundwood Paper (Beta): What Self-Published Authors Need to Know

Amazon KDP has quietly introduced a brand-new paperback printing option called Groundwood Paper (Beta), and it could lower printing costs, reduce carbon emissions, and slightly change how some books feel in readers’ hands.

Naturally, many indie authors now have questions:

• What exactly is groundwood paper?
• Will my royalties increase?
• Which books qualify?
• Should I switch existing books over?
• Will readers notice the difference?
• Could this hurt reviews or customer satisfaction?

Here’s what you need to know.

What Is KDP Groundwood Paper?

According to Amazon KDP, groundwood paper is a new low-carbon paperback paper option currently being tested in beta. (Kindle Direct Publishing)

Amazon says the paper:

• has a rougher texture
• offers higher opacity
• is designed for text-heavy paperbacks and novels
• produces at least 15% lower CO2 emissions compared to other paper types
• reduces printing costs by approximately 5% for eligible books (Kindle Direct Publishing)

In other words:

This is Amazon attempting to create a cheaper and more environmentally friendly paperback printing option.

Why Is Amazon Doing This?

There are likely three reasons behind this rollout:

1. Lower Production Costs

Printing costs matter enormously, considering Amazon's scale.

Even a small reduction per book becomes massive when multiplied across millions of paperback orders.

KDP explicitly states that printing costs for groundwood paper are about 5% lower than standard black-and-white cream or white paper. (Kindle Direct Publishing)

For some authors, that could slightly improve royalty margins.

2. Sustainability Pressure

Amazon is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact.

Groundwood paper is being marketed as a lower-carbon alternative, with Amazon claiming at least a 15% reduction in CO2-equivalent emissions. (Kindle Direct Publishing)

This aligns with broader sustainability initiatives happening across publishing and print-on-demand industries.

3. Better Reader Experience for Certain Genres

Amazon also claims the paper’s texture and opacity improve readability for text-heavy books and novels. (Kindle Direct Publishing)

Whether readers will actually notice or care remains to be seen.

Which Books Are Eligible?

Right now, eligibility is limited.

According to KDP:

Eligible books must:

• be paperback books
• use black-and-white interiors
• use left-to-right reading direction
• avoid heavy ink coverage (Kindle Direct Publishing)

This means many books are likely eligible, including:

• novels
• nonfiction books
• self-help books
• workbooks with light interiors
• journals with minimal graphics

However, books with heavy graphics, dark pages, or high ink density may not qualify.

Amazon even notes that they may revert books to white or cream paper if print quality becomes an issue. (Kindle Direct Publishing)

Will Authors Earn More Royalties?

Perhaps... but probably not dramatically more.

Since printing costs are lower, your royalty margin could improve slightly.

However, the exact difference depends on:

• trim size
• page count
• marketplace
• current printing cost
• royalty pricing structure

For high-volume sellers, though, even small savings can add up over time.

Will Readers Notice the Difference?

Maybe. Groundwood paper reportedly has:

• a rougher texture
• a different feel when flipping pages
• slightly different visual characteristics compared to cream or white paper

Some readers may actually prefer it for fiction and text-heavy books.

Others may not notice at all.

The bigger concern for authors will probably be perceived quality.

Indie authors work extremely hard to create professional-looking books, so many will understandably hesitate before changing materials readers are already used to.

Should You Switch Existing Books to Groundwood Paper?

That depends on your goals.

You MAY want to switch if:

• your book is text-heavy
• you want slightly lower print costs
• sustainability matters to your brand
• your interiors use low ink coverage
• you publish large-volume paperbacks

You may NOT want to switch if:

• your book relies heavily on visuals
• you use dark interior elements
• your readers expect premium-feeling paper
• you already have consistent print quality you’re happy with

For many authors, waiting and watching early beta feedback may be the smartest move.

Important: Some Covers May Need Updating!

This is one of the biggest things authors could overlook.

According to KDP, groundwood paper is thicker than standard paper options in some situations. (Kindle Direct Publishing)

That means:

• spine width can change
• existing covers may no longer align correctly
• some books may require new cover sizing

KDP specifically warns that:

• cream paper books over 350 pages
• white paper books over 525 pages

may need cover adjustments. (Kindle Direct Publishing)

So before bulk-converting your catalog, double-check your spine calculations carefully.

Is This Available to Everyone?

Not yet.

This is currently a beta rollout.

If you do not see the option in your KDP dashboard yet, you are simply not part of the beta program at this time. (Kindle Direct Publishing)

Amazon says broader rollout information will come later.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Will this affect my reviews?”

Probably not directly.

Most readers focus on:

• content quality
• cover quality
• formatting
• editing

However, if print quality noticeably changes, some readers may comment on paper feel or appearance.

“Can I switch back later?”

Yes. Since this is simply a printing option, authors should be able to revert to white or cream paper later if needed.

“Should low-content publishers use this?”

Potentially — but carefully.

Books with heavy ink coverage are not recommended for groundwood paper. (Kindle Direct Publishing)

That means:

• coloring books
• heavily illustrated journals
• graphic-heavy interiors

may not be ideal candidates.

“Will this become Amazon’s default paper eventually?”

Nobody knows yet.

But Amazon rarely tests infrastructure-level printing changes without long-term intentions.

If this beta performs well financially and operationally, broader adoption would not be surprising.

Final Thoughts

This is one of the more interesting KDP printing updates we’ve seen in a while.

For some authors, groundwood paper could become:

• a cost-saving opportunity
• a sustainability win
• a better reading experience for text-heavy books

For others, it may introduce concerns around:

• print consistency
• perceived quality
• cover sizing adjustments

Right now, the smartest approach is:

• test carefully
• avoid rushing bulk updates
• order proof copies first
• monitor reader feedback closely

As always with KDP changes, early adopters may gain advantages, but moving too quickly without testing can also create headaches.

Need More KDP Publishing Insights?

BookMonty helps indie authors grow through:

• ethical review accumulation
• publishing education
• long-term author growth strategies
• book and audiobook marketing resources

Stay tuned for more KDP news, platform updates, and self-publishing strategies.

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