From My Sewing Table to Amazon: Publishing a KDP Book and KDP Book Sizes Explained for Crafters

3 days ago

3 min read

I was drowning in half-finished embroidery patterns and slow stitch journals. I wanted to share my designs in print, because my generation doesn't scroll.

I wanted to turn them into something I could actually sell on Amazon, but every YouTube video started with "pick your trim size" and then threw 20 options at me.

6x9? 5.5x8.5? 7x10? And why was Amazon charging $6.55 to print a color page when black and white was $2.35?

I made myself a cheat sheet. Then I turned it into a workbook so I would actually finish. Now it's a 34-page starter set.

If you want to turn your stitch patterns, garden logs, or chicken tracker into a low-content journal on Amazon KDP, start here.

What is a low-content journal on KDP?

It's not a novel. It's a journal, planner, log book, or tracker with lots of blank or lightly lined pages that YOU design. Amazon prints it when someone orders it. No inventory in your living room.

For us crafters, it's perfect:

Slow Stitch Project Journal
Embroidery Pattern Log
Bee Keeping Notes
Garden Planner

Why Book Sizes Matter More Than You Think

Your trim size affects three things: how it feels in the hand, how much Amazon charges to print, and how much profit you keep.

Here are the 3 sizes I see sell best for our niche:

1. 6x9 - The classic. Fits in a tote bag. My go-to for stitch journals. Most popular on Amazon.

2. 5.5x8.5 - The cozy half-letter. Feels like a real diary. Great for daily trackers.

3. 7x10 - The big creative. More room for sketches and pattern notes. Costs a bit more to print.

All three are in the free bonus guide with pros and cons.

KDP Printing Costs Explained - Know Your Profit Before You Publish

This is the part no one explains clearly. Amazon takes the printing cost out before they pay you.

From my bonus cheat sheet - real examples from early 2026:

6x9 • 100 pages

B/W interior: $2.35 to print
Color interior: $6.55 to print

5.5x8.5 • 120 pages

B/W interior: $2.65 to print
Color interior: $7.20 to print

If you list your 6x9 B/W journal at $9.99, Amazon keeps $2.35 + their 40% cut, you keep the rest. If you list a color journal at the same price, you lose money.

I have a full chart in the 16-page bonus guide, plus a note to always double-check the KDP Pricing Calculator because Amazon updates rates.

Disclaimer: These are estimates from early 2026 and subject to change. Not affiliated with Amazon. Always verify in KDP's calculator.

How I Actually Finish a Journal - The 30-Day Challenge

The reason I made the 18-page workbook is that checklists keep me honest.

Mine is broken into:

Day 1-5: Idea & Niche Research - what kind of tracker do YOU wish existed?
Day 6-10: Outline & Keywords - what will people search on Amazon?
Day 11-20: Write & Design Interior in Canva Free
Day 21-25: Cover & Formatting
Day 26-30: Publish & Launch

Each day has a checkbox. It sounds simple, but it stopped me from researching for 3 weeks straight.

What's Inside the $4.99 Starter Set I Put on My Wix

I bundled both files because you need both:

Main Workbook - 18 Pages

Idea to Publish Checklist
Goal Pages & Motivation Pages
30-Day Challenge Tracker

FREE Bonus - 16 Pages - Book Sizes & Journal Creation Guide

Trim Sizes Compared with photos
Printing Costs Chart Explained
Planner Types Chart
Cost Saving Tips to lower your printing cost

34 pages total, 2 PDFs, instant download. No shipping. You can print it or use it in Canva.

It's $4.99 because I wanted it to be a coffee-price decision, not a course. You can get it on my Wix page /kdp-starter-set or on Etsy if you prefer Etsy checkout.

AI Transparency: Outline was drafted with AI assistance, then heavily edited and tested by me based on my own publishing. All cost research and checklists are my own.

Ready to Publish Your First One?

Don't pick 10 trim sizes. Pick one. I started with 6x9 B/W.

Download the set, print the cost chart, tape it to your writing table, and give yourself 30 days.

If you make one, tag me @hemandhearth - I'd love to see your journal.

Get the set: Crafter's KDP Starter Set - $4.99 Instant Download