Your Delivery Guide

Your Book Formatting Files

Everything you need to publish your book across all platforms — here's what each file is and how to use it.

What's In Your Delivery

[BookTitle] is replaced with your book's actual title. ePub files are prefixed with 'ePub -' to distinguish them from print files.

This is your complete eBook formatted for digital reading. Upload this directly to Amazon KDP for Kindle publishing, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble Nook, and any other eBook distributor. The ePub format automatically adapts to the reader's device, font size preferences, and screen orientation. You don't need any special software to upload it — just select this file during the publishing process.

Amazon KDPApple BooksKoboBarnes & NobleDraft2Digital

This PDF includes bleed marks — extra space extending beyond the trim line that ensures no white edges appear after cutting. Use this file when uploading to Amazon KDP Print, IngramSpark, or any professional print-on-demand service. The bleed ensures images and backgrounds that extend to the page edge print correctly. Most self-publishing platforms specifically request a PDF with bleed.

Amazon KDP PrintIngramSparkLuluBookBaby

This is the same interior as the bleed version, but without the extra bleed marks. Use this to review your book's layout on screen or to send to a local printer that handles trim themselves. Some authors also use this version as a digital PDF for direct sales on their website or Gumroad. It's exactly how the final printed page will look.

Personal reviewLocal printersDigital PDF sales

This is the master Adobe InDesign file for your print book's interior layout. If you ever need to update content, fix a typo, or release a second edition, a designer can open this file and make changes without reformatting from scratch. InDesign is the professional standard for book layout. You'll need Adobe InDesign to open this file, but you don't need to do anything with it now — keep it safe for future use.

Adobe InDesign

This is the InDesign file used to generate your ePub. The ePub layout has different formatting than print — reflowable text, different margins, and images optimised for screens. If you need to update your eBook in the future, a designer uses this file, not the print version. Same as the print source file: keep it safe, you'll need Adobe InDesign to open it.

Adobe InDesign

Understanding your file names

  • [BookTitle] is replaced with your actual book title
  • ePub files are prefixed with ePub - to distinguish them from print files
  • Keep all files organised in the folders as delivered

Common Questions

Find answers to common questions about our services

ePub: Upload directly to Amazon KDP or any eBook distributor — no special software needed. PDFs: Open with any PDF viewer (Adobe Reader, Preview, Chrome). InDesign files (.indd): You need Adobe InDesign, but only if you want to make future edits. You don't need InDesign for publishing.
For your Kindle eBook: upload the ePub file. For your KDP paperback: upload the Print-Ready PDF with Bleed. Amazon KDP specifically requires the bleed version for print books.
Bleed is the extra space beyond the trim line that ensures no white edges appear after the pages are cut. Use the 'with bleed' PDF for all print-on-demand platforms (Amazon KDP Print, IngramSpark, Lulu). The 'without bleed' version is for personal review, local printers, or selling as a digital PDF on your website.
Not right now. These are your source files — like having the original recipe. Keep them safe for future editions, revisions, or if you ever need to update content. Any designer with Adobe InDesign can work with them.
Yes! The 'without bleed' PDF works perfectly for direct digital sales via Gumroad, Shopify, Payhip, or your own website. It shows the pages exactly as they'll look in print, without the extra bleed margins.
Send us the InDesign files and we can make revisions quickly and affordably. Alternatively, any designer with Adobe InDesign can open and edit them. This is why we include the source files — they protect your investment.

What's Next for Your Book?

Your interior is beautifully formatted — but readers judge books by their covers. 80% of buying decisions happen at the cover. Let's make yours impossible to scroll past.

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