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SteveMcDonald
Participant
October 12, 2023
Answered

Best practice workflow for PDF + EPUB?

  • October 12, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 1496 views

Hi All, 

 

I am new to InDesign and I have been struggling to figure out a way to efficiently set up a workflow to have Epub + Print versions of my book.  I am 100% certain others have to do this, so I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction of what to read/watch to get up to speed on the correct workflow. 

It seems as though, based on what I have read in tutorials so far, there is no way to get around having two versions of a book - so the same content is in two files, one for PDF and one for EPUB.   I am using an Indesign book file with many documents.  My book in general will need to use the Fixed Layout EPUB due to fixed positions of elements such as tables and vertically aligned text and intentional blank pages in the print version.  I am realizing though that I will need to keep a version of the book contents that uses a different header/footer and does not include blank pages. Is this just the way it goes (any changes in content need to be done in 2 places) or is there a different way?

- Steve

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com

    I highly reccommend James' book, https://www.amazon.com/Word-InDesign-Kindle-Professional-Guide/dp/B09J7MPJSM

     

    I wouldn't waste time googling, you'll just draw up a lot of unprofessional nonsense. James is one of the most knowledgeable experts on EPUBs because he designs and creates them for a living.

     

    2 replies

    James Gifford—NitroPress
    James Gifford—NitroPress
    Legend
    October 12, 2023

    As Bob notes, fixed layout EPUB (FXL) is an obsolete, difficult format and is decreasingly compatible with e-book systems, especially Kindle.

     

    It is quite possible to do dual-format publication from a single InDesign book file, with export to PDF for print and reflowable EPUB for e-book and Kindle. It's an involved process but once mastered you can easily build new books to dual export and not have to create or maintain separate source files. My book, as noted in the sig, has extensive information on not only general EPUB and EPUB-to-Kindle processes, but the whole dual-format process as well. But — fair warning, and again echoing Bob's comments — it assumes reasonable mastery of InDesign to begin with, and some experience with web page (HTML/CSS) editing is an asset.

     

    Happy to answer any questions as well.

      S
      SteveMcDonaldAuthor
      Participant
      October 14, 2023

      Thanks James for the feedback.  Do you happen to know of any articles that walk through this process?  I am happy to read and learn.    If not, no worries I will keep Googling with "dual-format publication from a single InDesign book file" as a starting point.

      Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
      Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.comCorrect answer
      Legend
      October 14, 2023

      I highly reccommend James' book, https://www.amazon.com/Word-InDesign-Kindle-Professional-Guide/dp/B09J7MPJSM

       

      I wouldn't waste time googling, you'll just draw up a lot of unprofessional nonsense. James is one of the most knowledgeable experts on EPUBs because he designs and creates them for a living.

       

      |    Bevi Chagnon   |  Designer, Trainer, & Technologist for Accessible Documents ||    PubCom |    Classes & Books for Accessible InDesign, PDFs & MS Office |
        BobLevine
        Community Expert
        BobLevineCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        October 12, 2023

        Are you aware of the issues with fixed layout epub? There are very few reader apps that produce even acceptable results and Kindle is NOT one of them. You can export facing pages as single landscape pages but beyond that, there's really not much else to consider design-wise.

         

        If you have specific questions go right ahead and create new topics to cover them but I will warn you in advance...InDesign has a steep learning curve. This isn't really a beginner's project.

          S
          SteveMcDonaldAuthor
          Participant
          October 14, 2023

          Hi BobLevine,

          Thanks for the feedback! I agree it is not a beginner's project 100%!  My 20-year engineering expertise has helped a ton learning InDesign, Premier Pro and PhotoShop - without it, yes this would be very difficult.

            
          "Are you aware of the issues with fixed layout epub?"

          >> I have read this is not the desired format unless you have something like a picture book or some other type of book that is not designed for flowing text. My book is such a book.  It is intended to have certain text on a left page and a table with other text on the right page.   When I export EPUB and open in the Kindle Previewer 3, the format looks great - just needs adjustments on the header/footer.   If I should not be using the Kindle Previewer to determine compatibility, then I definitely wont. 

          "You can export facing pages as single landscape pages but beyond that, there's really not much else to consider design-wise."

          >> Could you point me in the direction of where I can read up on this?

          BobLevine
          Community Expert
          BobLevineCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          October 14, 2023

          It's an option in the export dialog:

           

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