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Dropshipping books is one of the easiest ways to start an online business in 2025. You sell books in your store, and a supplier ships them directly to your customers. No inventory, no packing, and no upfront stock costs.
Books sell year-round. People need textbooks for school, niche guides for hobbies, and bestsellers for entertainment. With the right suppliers and marketing, you can build a profitable book dropshipping business with minimal risk.
This guide will show you how to start, where to find trusted book suppliers, and which books sell best. You’ll also learn key strategies to increase profits and avoid common mistakes.
Let’s get started.
Ready to get started dropshipping books? Here’s a step-by-step guide.
Product research is the most important step in dropshipping books. If you choose the wrong books, you will not make sales.
If you choose the right ones, you can build a profitable store. The goal is to find books that people actively search for and buy.
Here a few to consider:
A self-improvement book ranking in Amazon’s Top 100 is a smart pick. A random novel with no reviews is not.
To avoid guessing, use data-driven research tools. If a book ranks on Amazon AND is trending on Google, it’s a strong choice.
A reliable book supplier is the backbone of your dropshipping business. If your supplier offers slow shipping, low-quality books, or frequently runs out of stock, your business will suffer. You need a supplier that delivers on time, offers good pricing, and is consistent in its availability.
Here’s what a reliable book supplier will give you:
Don’t worry—we’ll cover the top book suppliers in the next section
Where you sell affects profitability and audience reach. For full control and branding, set up your own store on Shopify, WooCommerce, or Wix.
If you want instant traffic, use Amazon (high demand but high fees), eBay (great for used and rare books), or Etsy (best for POD and custom books).
TikTok Shop and Facebook Marketplace work well for viral and impulse buys. BooksRun and TextbookRush are ideal for textbook dropshipping.
Choose a platform based on your business model and goals.
Your store’s design and setup impact conversions. For easy navigation, ensure clear categories like Bestsellers, Textbooks, and Rare Books. Make your store mobile-friendly, as most buyers shop from their phones. Keep the layout clean and distraction-free, focusing on books.
You can easily set up a professional book store with SellShop in just a few steps. No coding or design skills are needed. The platform gives you ready-made templates, pre-configured categories, and seamless tools to list, manage, and sell books without hassle.
Setting up your store is just the beginning—now you need traffic and sales. Marketing your books the right way helps you attract the right customers and maximize profits.
Start by leveraging free and paid marketing strategies to reach potential buyers. Organic traffic takes time, but it’s long-term and sustainable. Paid ads get faster results but require a budget. A mix of both works best.
Best for: Sellers looking to offer a wide range of books with the convenience of Amazon’s fulfillment services.
Amazon allows sellers to list books on its platform and, upon sale, the order can be fulfilled directly by Amazon through programs like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). This model enables sellers to manage a large catalog without holding physical inventory.
Features:
Pricing:
Amazon charges a $0.99 fee per item sold for individual sellers or $39.99 per month for professional sellers. Referral fees range from 8% to 15%, depending on the book category. If using FBA, additional fulfillment fees apply based on the book’s size and weight.
Best for: Sellers looking for low-cost books and bulk purchasing options with international shipping.
AliExpress is a China-based marketplace that connects sellers with manufacturers and wholesalers. It offers a variety of educational books, children’s books, comics, and niche book categories at wholesale prices.
Many suppliers offer dropshipping services, making it a cost-effective option. However, longer shipping times can be a drawback, especially for customers in the U.S. and Europe.
Features:
Pricing:
Books on AliExpress are cheaper than most Western suppliers, with prices varying based on category, seller, and shipping method.
Best for: Sellers looking to identify trending books and seamlessly add them to their dropshipping store.
Sell The Trend offers a comprehensive platform for finding and selling popular book titles through dropshipping. By using its NEXUS Product Research feature, you can easily discover trending books that are in demand.
The platform supports 1-click product import, making it effortless to add books to your online store. This is ideal for sellers who want to quickly expand their book inventory without handling physical stock.
Let’s take an example:
Features:
Pricing:
Sell The Trend provides a 14-day free trial for new users. After the trial, the service costs $39.97 per month, offering access to all features, including book sourcing and automated order processing.
Best for: Sellers looking to buy books in bulk at wholesale prices with the option for private labeling and custom printing.
Alibaba is a B2B (business-to-business) platform where suppliers offer books at wholesale rates. Unlike AliExpress, which focuses on individual orders, Alibaba is ideal for bulk purchasing.
Many suppliers provide custom book printing, allowing you to sell unique or branded books. However, minimum order quantities (MOQs) can be high, and direct negotiations with suppliers are often required.
Features:
Pricing:
Book prices vary depending on MOQ (minimum order quantity), book type, and customization options.
Best for: Sellers looking for affordable books with fast U.S. shipping and the ability to source from a well-known retailer.
Walmart offers a huge selection of books, including bestsellers, textbooks, children’s books, and niche titles. Many dropshippers use Walmart as a low-cost supplier due to its competitive pricing and fast shipping, especially within the U.S.
Features:
Pricing:
Book prices at Walmart vary but are often cheaper than Amazon, especially with discounts and promotions.
Best for: Sellers looking for print-on-demand (POD) books, custom journals, and self-published books.
Blurb is a print-on-demand (POD) platform that allows sellers to create and sell custom books without keeping inventory. It’s ideal for dropshippers who want to sell personalized books, planners, journals, and photo books.
Features:
Pricing:
The blurb’s pricing depends on book format, size, and page count. A standard softcover book starts at around $4-$5 per unit, while high-end hardcover or custom-printed books can range from $10-$50.
Best for: Sellers looking to dropship vintage books, handmade journals, and digital book products.
Etsy is a marketplace for handmade, vintage, and unique products, including books. While it’s not a traditional book dropshipping platform, many sellers use Etsy to offer niche books, rare editions, custom planners, and print-on-demand journals.
Features:
Pricing:
Etsy charges $0.20 per listing, plus a 6.5% transaction fee on every sale. Payment processing fees range from 3% to 4% depending on the country. Prices for books vary widely, with digital planners starting at $5 and rare vintage books selling for $50-$500.
Best for: Retailers seeking remaindered and bargain-priced books at significant discounts.
American Book Company is a leading wholesale distributor specializing in remainder, promotional, and bargain-priced books. With over 12,000 titles available, they offer well-known book titles at up to 80% off retail prices. Their extensive collection is restocked weekly, ensuring a diverse and current inventory for retailers.
Features:
Pricing: Pricing varies depending on the title and quantity ordered. American Book Company offers significant discounts, with some titles available at up to 80% off the retail price. For detailed pricing and ordering information, retailers can contact their sales department or visit their website.
Best for: Retailers interested in licensed and themed giftware, including books, with a focus on unique and collectible items.
Half Moon Bay is a UK-based supplier that has been providing retailers worldwide with award-winning licensed and themed giftware for over 25 years. Their product range includes a selection of books, among other items, catering to various niches and interests.
Features:
Pricing: Pricing details are not explicitly provided on their website.
Best for: Sellers seeking print-on-demand (POD) services for custom books, including self-published works, photo books, and journals.
Lulu Express is a POD platform that enables creators to design, print, and distribute custom books without maintaining inventory. It’s ideal for those looking to offer unique or personalized books, as each order is printed individually. This model supports a wide range of book types, from novels to photo books, catering to various niches.
Features:
Pricing: Pricing varies based on book specifications such as size, page count, and binding type. For instance, a standard 6×9 inch paperback with 100 pages might cost around $5 per copy.
Best for: Businesses and authors needing inventory-based fulfillment with just-in-time printing for books and media products.
Acutrack offers a unique model combining POD with inventory fulfillment. They print books as needed and store them for immediate shipment upon order placement.
Features:
Pricing: Acutrack’s pricing is customized based on specific project requirements, including book dimensions, page count, print quality, and anticipated order volume.
Best for: Sellers aiming for high-quality offset and digital printing services for books, magazines, and catalogs.
PulsioPrint specializes in both offset and digital printing, catering to projects that demand superior print quality. They offer environmentally friendly printing options and a range of finishes to enhance the final product.
Features:
Pricing: Pricing is project-specific, influenced by factors like print method (offset vs. digital), paper quality, finishing touches, and order quantity. PulsioPrint provides personalized quotes to ensure accurate pricing based on individual project needs.
Best for: Independent authors and publishers seeking comprehensive self-publishing services, including book printing, eBook conversion, and distribution.
BookBaby offers a full suite of services tailored for self-publishers. From design and editing to printing and global distribution, they provide end-to-end solutions. Their platform is user-friendly, making it accessible for authors new to the publishing process.
Features:
Pricing: BookBaby offers various packages, starting from basic eBook publishing to comprehensive print and digital distribution services.
Best for: Authors and publishers seeking print-on-demand (POD) services with global distribution to retailers and libraries.
IngramSpark offers POD services, allowing authors to print books as needed and distribute them through Ingram’s extensive network, including over 40,000 retailers and libraries worldwide.
This platform is ideal for those looking to minimize upfront printing costs while maintaining broad distribution. Recent policy updates have made the platform more accessible, eliminating setup fees and offering free revisions within a specified period.
Features:
Pricing: IngramSpark has recently revised its fee structure, eliminating book setup fees and offering free revisions within 60 days of upload. Authors earn 85% of the net revenue from eBook sales.
Best for: Dropshippers seeking a wide range of products, including books, with competitive pricing and global shipping options.
Banggood is a China-based e-commerce platform that supports dropshipping, offering a vast selection of products across various categories, including books.
With multiple warehouses worldwide, Banggood provides efficient shipping solutions, making it a viable option for dropshippers targeting international markets.
Features:
Pricing: Banggood offers competitive pricing, with discounts ranging from 5% to 20% for dropshippers, depending on the product category. Shipping costs and times vary based on the destination and selected shipping method. The platform provides various payment options, including PayPal and credit/debit cards.
Best for: International customers seeking a wide selection of books with free worldwide shipping.
Book Depository was a UK-based online bookseller known for its extensive catalog and free global delivery. It offered a vast range of titles across various genres, making it a favorite among international readers. However, as of April 2023, Book Depository has ceased operations.
Features:
Pricing: Varied depending on the book, often competitive with other major retailers
Best for: Readers interested in new, used, and rare books from an independent bookstore.
Powell’s Books, based in Portland, Oregon, is renowned as the world’s largest independent bookstore. They offer an extensive selection of new, used, and hard-to-find books both online and in-store. While primarily a retailer, Powell’s does not support dropshipping services.
Features:
Pricing: Prices vary based on book condition and rarity; used books are often priced lower than new ones.
Best for: Students and readers looking to buy, sell, or rent textbooks and other books at competitive prices.
BooksRun is an online platform that specializes in the sale, rental, and purchase of textbooks. They offer a user-friendly interface for students to find affordable textbooks and provide options to sell books back for cash.
Features:
Pricing: Varies depending on the book’s condition and demand; rental options are typically more affordable than purchases.
Best for: Students seeking to buy, sell, or rent textbooks and access a marketplace for various book genres.
Summary: TextbookRush is an online platform focused on providing textbooks for purchase, rental, and buyback. They offer a wide range of academic materials and a marketplace for other book genres. However, it’s important to note that TextbookRush prohibits dropshipping activities.
Features:
Pricing: Competitive pricing with options to rent or buy used books at lower costs
Best for: Socially conscious consumers interested in purchasing used books while supporting global literacy initiatives.
Better World Books is an online bookstore that sells used books and donates a portion of its profits to literacy programs worldwide. They offer a vast selection of pre-owned books at affordable prices and provide free shipping to various countries.
Features:
Pricing: Affordable pricing on used books; prices vary based on book condition and rarity.
Best for: Customers seeking affordable used books across various genres.
ThriftBooks is a leading online retailer specializing in used books. They offer a vast selection of titles at discounted prices, making literature accessible to a broad audience. While primarily a retailer, ThriftBooks does not support dropshipping services.
Features:
Pricing: Prices vary based on book condition and rarity; used books are often priced lower than new ones.
Best for: Supporting local independent bookstores by purchasing books online.
IndieBound is a platform that connects consumers with independent bookstores across the United States. By purchasing through IndieBound, customers support local businesses and contribute to the sustainability of independent bookshops. IndieBound does not offer dropshipping services.
Features:
Pricing: Prices are set by individual bookstores and may vary; supporting local businesses may come at a premium compared to large retailers.
Best for: Finding the best deals on new and used books through price comparison.
DealOz is a price comparison platform that helps users find the lowest prices on books across various online retailers. It aggregates listings from multiple sources, allowing consumers to compare prices and choose the best deal. DealOz does not function as a dropshipping supplier.
Features:
Pricing: Varies depending on the retailer and book condition; DealOz helps users find the most cost-effective options.
Best for: Artists and designers looking to create and sell custom-designed products, including notebooks and journals.
Contrado is a print-on-demand platform that enables creators to design and sell a wide range of custom products. While not focused solely on books, they offer customizable notebooks and journals, allowing for unique product offerings. Contrado supports dropshipping, handling production, and shipping directly to customers.
Features:
Pricing: Pricing varies based on the product and customization options; creators set their own retail prices and profit margins.
Best for: Consumers seeking a wide variety of products at low prices.
Temu is an online marketplace offering a vast array of products, including books, at competitive prices. While it provides attractive deals for consumers, Temu explicitly prohibits dropshipping activities, as stated in their terms of service. Attempting to use Temu for dropshipping may result in account suspension.
Features:
Pricing: Highly competitive pricing with frequent sales; however, not suitable for dropshipping purposes due to policy restrictions.
Yes, dropshipping books is legal, but you must follow copyright laws. Selling educational and entertaining literature that is in the public domain or has resale rights is safe. Avoid copyrighted books unless you have permission from the publisher.
To run a successful dropshipping business, always source books from reliable suppliers to ensure you are not violating any policies.
Yes, the dropshipping business model works well for books. Books are lightweight, always in demand, and appeal to many audiences.
You don’t need inventory or a warehouse, and shipping logistics are often easier than other products. The key is choosing reliable suppliers that offer excellent customer service and fast shipping to keep customer satisfaction high.
The best books to sell depend on your audience. Bestsellers, niche books, textbooks, self-help, and rare editions tend to perform well. If you’re using the dropshipping model, research trending books using platforms like Amazon Best Sellers and Google Trends. Test different categories to see what sells best in your store.
High-ticket items usually have bigger profit margins, but books can still be profitable if you choose the right niche. Rare books, collector’s editions, and educational and entertaining literature often sell for higher prices.
The key to running your own dropshipping business successfully is finding books with steady demand, low competition, and good supplier pricing.
Dropshipping books is a low-risk, profitable business when done right. You don’t need to buy inventory or handle shipping. Just find reliable suppliers, choose books with demand, and set up a professional store.
Success comes from good product research, fast shipping, and strong marketing. Use tools like Sell The Trend to track trending books and grow your store faster.
Start small, test different book categories, and improve based on sales. With the right strategy, you can build a successful dropshipping business and scale over time.
