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Create, print, and publish books to over 40,000 global retailers with ease.

From $9/mo, free trialVisit Website
Tracked since2026

The Bottom Line

Price
From $9/mo, free trial. Compare plans

Key facts

  • All-in-one platform for writing, typesetting, printing, and publishing books.
  • Global distribution to 40,000 retailers with on-demand printing and royalty payouts.
  • Significantly reduces publishing costs and complexity compared to traditional methods.

Pros

  • Significantly lower upfront costs compared to other self-publishing services.
  • Comprehensive all-in-one platform, eliminating the need for multiple tools.
  • Extensive global distribution network (40,000+ retailers) and on-demand printing.
  • Authors retain 100% of their rights and can withdraw royalties on-demand.
  • User-friendly interface for writing, formatting, and publishing.

Cons

  • Basic plan includes a 10% sales commission to Tablo.
  • Uploading pre-designed PDFs requires emailing support for setup.
  • Higher-tier features like dedicated support and direct sales require a paid subscription.

What is tablo?

Editorial review
Tablo is an online authoring and self-publishing platform designed to simplify the book creation, printing, and distribution process for writers of all levels, from debut novelists to bestsellers. It provides a comprehensive, all-in-one environment where authors can write new books from scratch, upload existing manuscripts, format their work with professionally typeset templates, and generate both eBook and print-ready files. The platform handles everything from assigning ISBNs and proofing to global distribution. Authors can print paperback and hardcover copies on demand, from single proof copies to thousands for a global launch. Tablo distributes books to a network of 40,000 bookstores worldwide, including major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, utilizing an on-demand printing network across 26 printers in 150 countries. This eliminates the need for authors to manage inventory and allows them to earn royalties on every sale, with the unique ability to withdraw royalties on-demand. Tablo aims to democratize publishing by offering an affordable and author-friendly alternative to traditional and other self-publishing methods, significantly reducing upfront costs and complexity.

Key Features

  • Write new books from scratch or upload existing manuscripts
  • Professionally typeset templates for formatting
  • Print paperback and hardcover copies on demand
  • Publish to over 40,000 global bookstores (eBook, paperback, hardcover)
  • Free ISBNs included
  • Track sales and royalties daily
  • On-demand royalty withdrawals
  • Autosaving and cloud backups

Pricing Plans

Free Trial

Pricing checked Oct 5, 2026

tablo plans and prices, checked October 2026
PlanPriceDetails
Basic

$9 / month

  • Create 1 book and cover
  • eBook and Paperback
  • 10% sales commission to Tablo
Pro

$29 / month

  • Create 3 books and covers
  • eBook, Paperback and Hardcover
  • 0% sales commission to Tablo
+4 more
  • Premium themes for books and covers
  • Download PDFs and assets for your books
  • Dedicated Author Support
  • Sell directly on your Tablo author website
Publisher

$99 / month

  • Create 10 books and covers
  • eBook, Paperback and Hardcover
  • 0% sales commission to Tablo
+5 more
  • Premium themes for books and covers
  • Download PDFs and assets for your books
  • Dedicated Author Support
  • Sell directly on your Tablo author website
  • Custom Branded publisher imprint

Included in all plans

  • Free publishing to bookstores
  • Unlimited ISBNs
  • Cloud backups for your books
  • On-demand royalty payouts

Is tablo worth the price?

Good value

Tablo's pricing is fair for self-publishing authors, with the Basic plan at $9/month offering solid entry-level features but a 10% commission, while the Pro plan at $29/month eliminates commission and adds hardcover and premium tools, making it a strong value.

The Publisher plan at $99/month is expensive for individuals but reasonable for small presses needing a branded imprint. Best for serious indie authors who want zero commission and professional distribution.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

10% sales commission on Basic plan

Full tablo pricing: every plan, hidden costs and alternatives

Reviews

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tablo FAQ

How does Tablo handle the printing and shipping of books sold through its distribution network?

Tablo partners with an on-demand network of 26 printers globally, shipping books to 150 countries. When a book is sold, a single copy is printed and shipped from the closest location to the customer, ensuring global availability without requiring authors to manage inventory.

What is the difference between Tablo's self-publishing platform and its 'Tablo Tales' imprint?

Tablo's self-publishing platform allows any author to create, print, and publish their books independently. 'Tablo Tales' is a dedicated literary imprint that offers traditional representation to a select group of extraordinary Tablo authors, providing a more curated publishing experience similar to a traditional publishing house.

Can I upload a fully laid out, print-ready PDF of my book to Tablo for publishing?

While there isn't a direct upload feature for pre-designed PDFs within the platform yet, Tablo can still publish your laid-out book. You would need to share your PDF directly with their support team via email, and they will set it up for you.

How does Tablo compare to other popular self-publishing platforms like IngramSpark or Lulu in terms of services and costs?

Tablo differentiates itself by offering an all-in-one platform where authors can create, typeset, and publish their books without needing external tools or significant upfront costs. Unlike platforms like IngramSpark or Lulu, which often require authors to provide publish-ready assets and incur various setup, ISBN, and typesetting fees, Tablo includes these services (like free ISBNs and typesetting) as part of its subscription, making it a more affordable and integrated solution.

What kind of support is available for authors using Tablo?

Tablo provides live chat and dedicated support for authors. The Pro plan specifically includes 'Dedicated Author Support,' suggesting more personalized assistance for higher-tier subscribers.

If I publish with Tablo, can I still publish my book with other services or cancel my agreement at any time?

Yes, Tablo emphasizes that authors retain all of their rights. The relationship is non-exclusive, meaning you can cancel at any time and are free to publish with other services concurrently or in the future.

Source: tablo.com

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