Formatting Tips for Print Books and eBooks on KDP
Formatting your book's interior is a crucial step in the self-publishing process. Whether you're preparing a print book or an eBook for Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), ensuring a clean and professional layout is essential. In this article, we will provide you with some valuable tips and guidelines to help you format the interior of your book effectively for both print and eBook formats on KDP.
1. Choose the Right File Format:
For print books, KDP accepts PDF files formatted for print. Ensure that your fonts, images, and layout are embedded correctly in your PDF. For eBooks on KDP, you can upload a variety of formats, such as MOBI, EPUB, or KPF (Kindle Create). Consider using Kindle Create, Amazon's free formatting tool, to simplify the process and ensure compatibility.
2. Set Up Page Size and Margins:
For print books, determine the desired trim size (e.g., 6x9 inches) and set up your document accordingly. Ensure that your text and images fit comfortably within the margins. For eBooks, page size is not relevant, but you should adjust the margins to provide a pleasant reading experience on various devices.
3. Use a Readable Font and Size:
Choose a font that is easy to read for both print and eBooks. Commonly used fonts include Times New Roman, Arial, or Garamond. For print books, a font size between 10 and 12 points is generally appropriate. For eBooks, consider using scalable fonts and avoid fixed font sizes to allow readers to adjust the text according to their preferences.
4. Structure Your Content:
Organize your book by adding appropriate headers, chapters, and subheadings.
Use consistent formatting throughout the book to ensure a cohesive and professional look. For print books, consider including headers with chapter titles and page numbers. For eBooks, use hyperlinks or a table of contents feature for easy navigation.
5. Format Paragraphs and Line Spacing:
Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches for print books. For eBooks, consider using block paragraphs with no indentations. Adjust line spacing to improve readability. For print books, a spacing of 1.5 or 2 is generally recommended. For eBooks, consider using a line spacing of 1.2 or 1.5.
6. Insert Images and Graphics:
For print books, ensure that images have a resolution of at least 300 DPI (dots per
inch) for high-quality printing. Embed images in your PDF and position them appropriately within the text. For eBooks, optimize images to reduce file size and consider placing them in-line with the text or in separate sections.
7. Pay Attention to Page Breaks and Hyphenation:
Check that page breaks occur at appropriate locations, such as the end of chapters or sections. For print books, avoid hyphenating words at the end of lines. For eBooks, consider allowing hyphenation to prevent excessive spacing or uneven line breaks.
8. Proofread and Test: 
Before finalizing your formatting, proofread your book thoroughly for any typos, grammatical errors, or formatting inconsistencies. Create test copies of your book in both print and eBook formats to ensure that the layout, formatting, and readability are as intended.
Proper formatting is essential for creating a professional-looking book that readers will enjoy. By following these tips, you can ensure that your print book and eBook are well-formatted for KDP. Remember to choose the right file format, set up page size and margins, use readable fonts and sizes, structure your content, format paragraphs and line spacing, insert images and graphics appropriately, pay attention to page breaks and hyphenation, and thoroughly proofread and test your book. With a well-formatted interior, you'll increase your chances of success as a self-published author on KDP.
