Can someone tell me how I supply a double page spread map to KDP please? When I worked in house we used to split the map with 3mm either side of the gutter so we didnt lose parts of the map when printing. I've done this but KDP is not happy with the file. Its the only double page spread in the book and it doesn't bleed off the outside edges. Thanks.
The short answer is that KDP doesn't allow you to 'color outside the lines,' no way, no how — so many of the methods used when actual human reasoning is involved in the layout and imposition will be rejected as layout errors. One of the things you can't do is include any inside bleed, and another is use two-page spreads.
Your best solution is to split the map and give it a few mm or so of duplication on the inside edge of the facing pages, so that even an aggressive spread of the printed book will still show something like a continuous print. KDP tends to be very tight, with a large "pinch zone," so around 3mm will be lost to view short of breaking the binding. Go from there.
Even that may generate errors on submission if KDP judges the map to be "live material outside the live limit." You may get a bizarre range of errors including being told to make your pages larger or add more bleed space. In the end, you may have to bring the inner edge of the map well in from the spine edge, so that a normal spread will show it seamless but any aggressive spreading will show the gap.
Already have an account? Login
Enter your E-mail address. We'll send you an e-mail with instructions to reset your password.
AdChoices