Print Book File | PDFs for KDP Upload | Export Options | Pages or Spreads?

[Joe-New-to-ID]

I'm ready to generate two PDF files of my 6-chapter print book for KDP upload. My InDesign book file is set up as shown below to ensure reading coherence and follow convention. Given the intentional method for page layout between left and right pages, and Chapter 1's special separation to make the text start on page 1, what export options do I need to check for proper KDP upload under Export Adobe PDF > General > Export As? Pages or Spreads? Will KDP:

1. adjust to meet my intent?
2. adjust as they see fit and not meet my intent?
3. reject with an explanation so that I can adjust and resubmit correctly?
4. reject without an explanation so that I must adjust in a guessing fashion?

Book Set Up

PDF-1

   Back Cover - Spine - Cover

PDF-2

   i. Half Title (right)

   ii. Blank (left)

   iii. Full Title (right)

   iv. Copyright (left)

   v. Contents (right)

   vi. Blank (left)

   vii. Acknowledgments (right)

   viii. Chapter 1 Illustration (left)

   1. Chapter 1 (right)

   26. Chapter 2 Illustration (left)

   27. Chapter 2 (right)

   40. Chapter 3 Illustration (left)

   41. Chapter 3 (right)

   52. Chapter 4 Illustration (left)

   53. Chapter 4 (right)

   86. Chapter 5 Illustration (left)

   87. Chapter 5 (right)

   144. Chapter 6 Illustration (left)

   145. Chapter 6 (right)

   152. Blank (left)

   153. Appendix (right)

   154. Blank (left)

   155. Index (right)

[James Gifford—NitroPress · Accepted solution]

Export as pages. Spreads are created by the bindery process.

You must provide all pages in your PDF, including blank ones, in proper order. The printing and bindery process doesn't do any steps for you. (Such as "knowing" a blank page needs to be inserted. )

[Joe-New-to-ID]

James:

Thank you.

[Joe-New-to-ID]

James:

I'm having problems upon uploading my manuscript and cover-spine-back cover files to KDP. I selected the following when I generated the manuscript and cover-spine-back cover PDFs from Adobe InDesign:

• Export Adobe PDF > Marks and Bleeds > Marks > All Printer's Marks > [check] Crop Marks > [check] Bleed Marks

I selected these because a previous printer told me to do so when I was generating proof copies a few months ago. What do you happen know of these selections? Does KDP need them or not? Perhaps this is the source of the problem.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

No, do not include any printer's marks on KDP uploads. Most digital printers don't want them any more, either. Digital printing is either precise enough that marks are not needed, or does all reduction of page size within the process. (Marks are for flat sheet printing and manual alignment of trimming to size.)

No marks, no bleeds on interior pages unless you've selected that in the KDP setup, and follow the cover layout measurements exactly. 

[Joe-New-to-ID]

James: Thank you. I will retry and let you know what happens.

[Joe-New-to-ID]

James: Everything works now except for one thing. I have illustrations introducing each chapter, and they all show up in KDP's Previewer successfully. However, I have one illustration in my full-title page, which is not showing up in KDP's Previewer. I tried shrinking it down a little, and ensuring I have the right inputs via Object > Object Export Options... Nothing seems to work. I've since sent an email to KDP Help Support to investigate. Any insight?

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Is it anchored to text on the title page?

If not, has it "fallen" to the end of the export EPUB?

Try making it very small; if that works, scale it up until you find the limit. I'd use the individual object settings and a specified width.