Preparing and uploading a 6×9 inch book cover for Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Here’s what you need to know:
1. Cover Specifications
For a 6×9 inch hardcover book, you’ll need to consider the following:
Trim Size: Your chosen trim size is 6×9 inches, but you’ll need to add bleed. The bleed is typically an extra 0.125 inches (3 mm) on each side that extends beyond the final trimmed size to ensure no unprinted edges occur in the final product.
Resolution: The resolution of images should be at least 300 DPI for quality printing.
Color Mode: Images should be in CMYK color mode, which is used for printing.
2. Cover Template → CLICK HERE
KDP provides a cover template generator where you can download a template that fits the exact specifications of your book, including spine width which is determined by the number of pages and the paper type. The template will help you layout your front cover, back cover, spine, and the bleed areas.
3. Designing the Cover
Front Cover: Should include the book title, subtitle (if any), and author name.
Spine: Should have the book title, author name, and optionally the publisher name if space allows. The text should be readable when the book is standing upright.
Back Cover: Typically includes the book blurb, ISBN barcode, and possibly reviews or author bio. Make sure the text is clear and legible against the background.
4. File Format
The cover should be uploaded as a single PDF file that includes the front, spine, and back covers. Ensure all fonts are embedded in the file and that you adhere to the PDF specifications provided by KDP.
5. Uploading the Cover
When you upload your book to KDP, you will be prompted to upload your cover file separately from your manuscript file. Follow the prompts in the KDP dashboard to upload your cover PDF. KDP will check the file for common issues and alert you if there are problems with the size, resolution, or other aspects of the cover.
6. Previewing Your Cover
Use KDP’s online previewer tool to see how your cover will look in print. This tool helps you spot any issues with alignment, text placement, and overall design before finalizing your submission.
7. Adjustments
If there are issues or if the cover doesn’t look as expected, you may need to make adjustments to your design or settings. Sometimes, this might require a few iterations to get everything perfect.
By following these guidelines, you can create a professional-looking book cover that meets KDP’s requirements and appeals to your readers. If you’re not comfortable with graphic design, consider hiring a professional designer who has experience creating book covers for KDP to ensure the best results.
For books published through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), the number of pages you can have varies depending on the format of the book—hardcover, paperback, or eBook. Here are the specifics for each:
1. Hardcover
Minimum Page Count: 75 pages
Maximum Page Count: 550 pages
The page count requirements for hardcovers are designed to ensure the book’s binding is secure and functional.
2. Paperback
Minimum Page Count: 24 pages
Maximum Page Count: 828 pages
The wide range allowed for paperbacks accommodates everything from short stories to lengthy novels.
3. eBook
Minimum Page Count: There is no official minimum page count for eBooks on KDP.
Maximum Page Count: There is also no official maximum page count for eBooks. However, very large file sizes might cause issues with upload and download; Amazon recommends keeping eBook files under 650 MB.
For eBooks, the focus is more on the file size than the number of pages, due to the dynamic nature of eBook formatting where the text reflows based on the reader’s device settings and preferences.
When preparing your book for any of these formats, it’s important to ensure your content fits within these guidelines to avoid issues during the publishing process.