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Upload Book to Amazon KDP File Preview and Troubleshooting

Upload Book to Amazon KDP: File Requirements, Preview Tools, and Troubleshooting

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

  • Preparing clean, KDP-compatible files before you start makes uploads smoother and avoids common rejections.
  • Use preview tools and simple checks — typography, TOC, images, and metadata — to confirm your EPUB or manuscript looks right on devices.
  • Most upload errors are fixed by re-exporting with correct settings; tools can generate ready-to-upload files and reduce manual fixes.

Preparing files before you upload book to amazon kdp

Manuscript format and structure

Preferred formats: For ebooks, Kindle accepts EPUB and formatted DOCX. For print, use a PDF with the correct trim and bleed. Use a single, clean source file with consistent styles for headings, body text, and lists.

Clean styles: Apply Word styles (Heading 1 for chapter titles, Normal for body). That produces a reliable table of contents and helps automated converters keep structure intact.

Include front matter: title page, copyright, dedication, and a clear table of contents so KDP can build navigation automatically.

Page size, margins, and bleed (print)

  • Set the trim size before layout. For 6″ x 9″ books, adjust margins and allow bleed where artwork reaches the edge.
  • Export to a print-ready PDF and use PDF/X standards when possible.

Fonts and embedding

Use common, embeddable fonts or include embedded fonts in your exported file. KDP can reject or reflow text if fonts aren’t embedded correctly.

Avoid many decorative fonts for body text; they can cause rendering issues and increase file size.

Table of contents and navigation

For ebooks, include a linked table of contents (internal hyperlinks). Proper headings (H1, H2) become EPUB navigation and help device testing.

Metadata and AI disclosure

Prepare metadata separately: title, subtitle, author name, description, and keywords. Have both a short and a long description ready.

KDP asks about AI use during upload; be ready to disclose AI-generated text or images where requested to stay compliant.

If you want an end-to-end option that returns fully formatted manuscripts, covers, and EPUBs ready for KDP, see Publish Book Amazon KDP for a detailed publishing workflow and formatting tips.

Automation can humanize text, format manuscripts, and create export-ready assets to minimize manual fixes.

Create a paperback or ebook quickly

If you plan to produce both ebook and print editions from the same source, use a tool that handles export settings and trim sizes to save time. For example, BookAutoAI can generate properly formatted ebook and paperback files from one project; see its site for details.

Step-by-step upload process on KDP

1. Account basics and verification

Sign in or create a KDP account at kdp.amazon.com. Complete tax and payment information before publishing to avoid payout delays.

2. Create a new title

Click “Create” and choose Kindle eBook or Paperback. For print, select the trim size you designed for. Fill in basic metadata: title, subtitle, series info, author, contributors, and language.

3. Book details (description, keywords, categories)

Paste the long description and a short blurb optimized for discoverability. Keep the first lines clear and benefit-driven.

Choose up to seven keywords and two categories; avoid stuffing and pick phrases readers would use.

4. Manuscript upload

Upload the manuscript in the format KDP expects (EPUB or DOCX for ebook; print-ready PDF for paperback). If you use a generator, upload the delivered EPUB or PDF directly.

5. Cover upload or use Cover Creator

Upload a finished cover file (ebook: JPEG/PNG; print: print-ready PDF with spine and back) or use KDP’s Cover Creator.

For professional results, consider an automated cover generator trained on top-selling books to produce readable, genre-appropriate covers.

6. ISBN and publishing rights

For paperback, decide whether to use a free KDP ISBN or supply your own. For ebooks, ISBNs are optional in most marketplaces. Confirm publishing rights and territories.

7. Pricing and royalty options

Select 35% or 70% royalty (conditions apply). Set pricing for primary marketplaces and use KDP’s tools to localize prices.

8. Review and publish

Use the Kindle Previewer or KDP’s online preview to check layout. For print, inspect the interior and cover and order a proof copy if needed.

When satisfied, click Publish. Amazon typically lists ebooks within 24–72 hours.

Using preview tools and validating files

KDP Previewer tips

Test every chapter break, heading style, and table of contents links. The previewer shows how content reflows on different device sizes.

Check images and charts on multiple sizes; some graphics lose detail on small screens.

EPUB validation and conversion

Even well-formed Word files can produce messy EPUBs if styles or images are unusual. A reliable converter that embeds metadata and navigation reduces errors.

If you need conversion tools, try an EPUB converter designed to output Kindle- and store-ready EPUBs with embedded covers and navigation.

Thumbnail and hierarchy checks

Zoom out to thumbnail size in the previewer to confirm title and author remain readable. Confirm hierarchy: chapter titles distinct from subheads and body text.

Device testing

Where possible, test the final EPUB on real devices in addition to the previewer; rendering can differ across apps and devices.

Accessibility and navigation

Ensure the EPUB has a clear, working TOC and that links go to the right place. Screen readers rely on properly structured EPUBs.

Troubleshooting common upload errors and fixes

Even with careful prep, uploads can trigger errors. Most are fixed by re-exporting with a few settings adjusted. Below are common problems and practical fixes.

Error: File rejected on upload (unsupported format)

Why: Wrong file type or a corrupted export. Fix: Re-export from your source file as EPUB (for ebook) or PDF/X-1a (for print), then retry the upload.

Error: Fonts not embedded or rendering oddly

Why: Fonts weren’t embedded or licensing blocked embedding. Fix: Use embeddable fonts or enable font embedding during export; minimize custom fonts in DOCX-to-EPUB flows.

Error: Broken table of contents or chapter links

Why: Headings not applied using styles, or links lost in conversion. Fix: Reapply heading styles, regenerate the EPUB, and re-validate the TOC.

Error: Images too large or slow load on devices

Why: High-resolution images bloating file size. Fix: Resize and compress images — for ebooks downsample to 150–200 DPI and use JPEG; for print keep 300 DPI and export a separate print-ready file.

Error: Cover upload fails or warns about wrong size

Why: Wrong dimensions or incorrect bleed in the print cover PDF. Fix: For ebook covers, a 1600 x 2560 px JPEG is a safe default; for print, use interior trim size plus bleed and correct spine measurements. If in-house cover design is slow, consider a cover generator to produce export-ready covers sized for KDP.

Error: Metadata mismatch or duplicate titles

Why: Title discrepancy between the manuscript and KDP metadata or an ISBN already used. Fix: Check the title page against KDP metadata and obtain a different ISBN or contact support if necessary.

Error: AI disclosure missed or flagged

Why: KDP asks about AI use during upload. Fix: Make the required disclosure where prompted. If you used tools to generate and humanize text, mark that appropriately.

Error: TOC or navigation missing on certain devices

Why: Some converters don’t produce a fully accessible EPUB navigation. Fix: Use an EPUB validator or converter that builds a valid nav.xhtml and NCX fallback.

Error: Print margins or gutters causing text to be cut

Why: Incorrect margin or trim settings for the selected page count or binding. Fix: Re-calculate gutters/margins by page count and trim size; re-export the print-ready PDF with correct bleed.

When to order a physical proof

Order a proof if your book depends on precise layout (tables, charts, complex images) or you want to inspect paper quality and color. It’s the final check before approving print.

Quality control checklist before final upload

  • Files: EPUB or PDF/X exported and validated
  • Metadata: complete and consistent
  • Cover: thumbnail and print-ready checks
  • TOC: linked and functional
  • Images: correct color space and size
  • Fonts: embedded or standardized
  • AI disclosure: documented if required

If you want to speed the upload process or use third-party tools for distribution and batch uploads, consider services such as BookUploadPro as part of your toolbox.

FAQ

What file formats should I upload to KDP for ebooks?

KDP accepts EPUB and DOCX for ebooks. EPUB is the modern standard and is preferred for consistent results across devices.

Do I need to disclose AI-generated content when I upload?

Yes. During upload, KDP will ask whether you used AI-generated text or images. Answer truthfully to reduce compliance risks.

Why does my EPUB look different on the Kindle app than in the KDP previewer?

Different reading apps render fonts and images differently. Test on multiple devices where possible and ensure your EPUB uses standard fonts and good image sizing.

My cover looks fine in full size but is unreadable as a thumbnail. How do I fix it?

Simplify the cover layout, increase typographic contrast, and make the title and author text large enough to read at thumbnail size.

Can BookAutoAI create print-ready covers and EPUBs for KDP?

Yes. BookAutoAI includes a cover generator and an EPUB converter that deliver KDP-ready files with correct metadata and navigation, reducing manual fixes.

What’s the quickest fix for a rejected manuscript due to large images?

Compress or downsample images, re-export the file, and re-upload. For ebooks, 150–200 DPI often preserves quality while lowering file size.

Should I order a proof copy for every print book?

It’s best practice for books with complex layouts or color images. For simple black-and-white interiors, many authors rely on careful digital previews and order a proof when needed.

Sources

Upload Book to Amazon KDP: File Requirements, Preview Tools, and Troubleshooting Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Preparing clean, KDP-compatible files before you start makes uploads smoother and avoids common rejections. Use preview tools and simple checks — typography, TOC, images, and metadata — to confirm your EPUB or manuscript looks right on devices. Most upload…