InDesign printing for KDP book cover and manuscript etc

[Matthew298838430uos]

I've been trying to print my book to Kindle - KDP for several weeks one of the most frustrating things I've ever had to do. I thought this program would make life easy. There are so many variations when you try to print. Despite having the correct measurments InDesign doesn't stick to the measurements.

How do you print a cover for example when its 3 pages it only gives you the measurementes for one and not combines. Why hasn't Adobe made things easier for doing books on Kindle??

[Eugene Tyson]

Why would it cater for Kindle? It's up to the end user to create to the specifications required. 

I have no real idea what you're talking about here, it doesn't make sense to me. 

Can you provide some screenshots or examples?

[Matthew298838430uos]

Kindle give measurements which I've used previous in an older version of InDesign I used to export the file to PDF then print to microsoft printer then change the file name to upload the Kindle. I've tried using the print to PDF in Adobe InDesign and even when I have the margins set etc it never lines up properly to Kindle. Ive found when I set it to 92% scale I get the length but can't get the width to match up

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Do not "print to PDF," ever. Use the export function. (File | Export)

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

InDesign is an exceptional tool for KDP (and the other print on demand services). But their instructions and tutorials range from incomplete to outdated to just wrong, and the community support from that end is even more erratic. 

Simple step by step is not always up to date or detailed enough. The result is that you have to bring a certain level of expertise, and mastery of relevant ID features.

In this case, it sounds as if you are using the three page cover model. You have to join the pages into a spread in the Pages panel, and export as a spread, with correctly specified bleeds that produce the EXACT size KDP's cover estimator requests. 

Ask away if any of that doesn't add up. 

[Matthew298838430uos]

Thanks to both you you for your quick replies. I've been watching youtube videos on InDesign and yes James that's exactly my problem. Is there a how to on this what should i print to?

[Matthew298838430uos]

I used the export to pdf and that doesn't work either.

[Matthew298838430uos]

Hi James

In this case, it sounds as if you are using the three page cover model. You have to join the pages into a spread in the Pages panel, and export as a spread, with correctly specified bleeds that produce the EXACT size KDP's cover estimator requests. 

But how do you export properly?

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

With the three component pages joined into one spread, you export with spreads selected, not pages. (I can't toss in an image here, sorry. It's in the center of the export menu. )

If you export using this method you should get exactly what you need. But if you "print" you will get a layout scaled to a print page, which I suspect is at the heart of your problems here. 

[Matthew298838430uos]

Hi James I have been doing that but still can't get it to up. I've spent two weeks trying to get a book cover up its so stupid its perect in InDesign but what ever I do I can't get it to match Kindles requirment spoke som many times with them also. Its beyond anoying.

How on earth do you get the InDesign to export your exact measurements

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

If your three page spread is the exact size KDP specifies, the export should produce a PDF of exactly that size.

It can be easier if you specify no bleed and manage the bleed and trim margins in your layout, then export at exact size, 0 bleeds or slug. 

And - this may be it - do not include crop or bleed marks, or any "printer information." That will create a somewhat random PDF size,  and KDP is not smart enough to look past them. 

[Matthew298838430uos]

hi James what about the weight and offset?

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

None of that matters to InDesign. You spec your book in the cover calculator, and it gives you all the dimensions for the cover spread.

Match those, and the corresponding margins layout, and it should be accepted. 

[Matthew298838430uos]

I have done that part but when you export it has  3 setting in the marks and bleeds thats with the that section to microsoft print to pdf. Ironically I used Chat GPT they gave this I didn't know about this section PDF/X-1a:2001 option

What are the sets to print a Adobe InDesign book cover file to Kindle ? 1. Set up the margins to match Kindle’s requirements: Ensure that your margins are set to 0.39” on the top and left edges and 0.32” on the right and bottom edges. 2. Set the bleed and slug: In the file setup window, set the bleed and slug size to 0.125”. 3. Export as a PDF: Make a PDF of your file using the Export function in InDesign. Choose the PDF/X-1a:2001 option from the export dialog window. 4. Embed fonts: Make sure that fonts are embedded in the PDF when you generate it. 5. Check the image resolution: Ensure that all the images used in the file are at least 300dpi resolution. 6. Transparencies: Make sure that any transparencies used in your file are flattened. 7. Upload your file: Upload your file to Kindle’s previewer software. This will help ensure that your design prints correctly. 8. Preview: Preview your design and check for any potential problems with the layout and file setup before submitting it to Kindle for sale.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

It all comes down to this: the PDF must be the exact size KDP requests. You don't keep adding things to it (margins, bleeds, crops etc.)

Work to a single flat layout and don't try to push things like bleeds to a separate element. Your spread should be exactly the finished layout size. 

ChatGPT is of great use to those who already know the answers. Not so much to anyone looking for them. 

[Matthew298838430uos]

To be honest with you James its a very sad state of affairs when you have the two Industry Giants Adobe and Amazon who can't make publishing a book more easier says a lot about the programmers and I realised you have written a book on how to you probably make more money than the idots like me trying to put a book up two weeks of my time isn't a joke. Its 1 am and Ill try again later thanks

[Eugene Tyson]

You set the size - the margins - the bleed etc.

It's up to you. Not anybody else.

I have read the repsonses here and I have no idea what is going wrong for you.

Can you link to the KDP requirements and also please post a blank dummy document of InDesign with your settings.

We can then determine where you're going wrong. 

[Matthew298838430uos]

Okay this is what I have set.

[Eugene Tyson]

So you have bleed set at 0.125 and you haven't selected Bleed in the PDF output options - it's turned off. 

Can you link to the KDP page for specs?
Can you put a blank document with your settings (delete all on your page for the cover) and just drag and drop the indesign file here (as a saved copy)

Please supply the files and the KDP specs.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Everything looks correct except your actual page layout. 

The content should fill the pages. You've sized them to KDP's exact specs (I assume); there is no reason you should have blank margins anywhere.

KDP is likely rejecting this because it's not falling within their bleed and trim areas. 

Download your specific dimension diagram, as the cover spec process generates, and lay it in your document as a guide.  (Put it on a layer of its own and disable that layer before each export.)

Match your layout to its guidelines. 

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

The fault is entirely Amazon's.

InDesign will do anything required for pretty much any publication task there is, requiring only mastery of any relevant features and the ability to follow press or export specs precisely. 

Amazon gives vague information that is often outdated, and then relies on moronic automation and AI to manage the process. 

There is no special reason Adobe should "accommodate" KDP in any way. 

[Matthew298838430uos]

Hi Guys I'm in Australia its nearly 2am I'm off to bed I go through this tomorow and see if i use those setting and what happens

Thanks guys

[Eugene Tyson]

Ok we can catch up tomrrow. I'll be back on at 5 or 6 am Irish time - about 2pm your time

[Matthew298838430uos]

thanks

[Eugene Tyson]

Yeh - thought it looked weird.