Author guides
A little preparation makes a better book.
Practical help with the decisions between a finished manuscript and files ready for your printer or eBook store.
Prepare Your Manuscript for KDP Print: An Author Guide
Get your manuscript ready for print layout with a practical checklist for headings, images, front matter and final files before you upload your book to KDP.
Read the guide →Book Trim Sizes Explained for Self-Publishing Authors
Choose a book trim size that suits your readers, text and illustrations. Compare common shapes and understand how size affects page count and cover preparation.
Read the guide →Book Bleed, Margins and Gutter: A Practical Print Guide
Understand trim, bleed and binding margins before preparing a print PDF. See a KDP size example and learn why longer books need more room beside the spine.
Read the guide →Choosing Book Fonts and Checking Their Usage Licenses
Choose readable type for your book and check the font permissions needed for print PDFs, EPUB files and editable source documents before production begins.
Read the guide →eBook vs Print Formatting: Choose the Right Book Files
Understand why a print PDF and a reflowable EPUB need different layouts, how fixed layout works, and what to check before choosing editions for your readers.
Read the guide →Prepare a Children’s Picture Book for Print Production
Plan your picture book’s pages, artwork, text and bleed before layout. Check image size, protect details near the binding and prepare a useful production brief.
Read the guide →KDP vs IngramSpark: Preparing the Right Printing Files
Prepare separate printer-ready editions with the right trim, paper, cover template and PDF settings. Understand what can carry over and what needs checking.
Read the guide →Calculate Book Spine Width Before Preparing Your Cover
Learn which page count and paper choice determine a paperback spine, work through a simple example, and know when to use your printer’s final cover template.
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