Course 5: Book Interiors and Ebook Files (KDP and IngramSpark, UK and US) (PDF Guide)

A 39-page printable PDF guide for UK and US self-publishers with an edited manuscript: format a print-ready interior PDF and a clean ebook, with KDP and IngramSpark trim size, margin, bleed and file rules side by side.

It is part of Self-Publishing: From Beginner to Pro, a ten-course series of printable PDF guides from Long Room Learning. Written in plain UK English with UK and US rules side by side, in millimetres and inches. Facts, prices and platform rules were checked on the official websites on 27 October 2026.

What you'll learn

• Print versus ebook: what changes, and the right order of work
• Trim sizes for UK and US books (B-format, Demy, A5, Royal, 6 × 9 in and more), page count limits and when you need bleed
• Your layout options: Word, KDP templates, Kindle Create, formatting programs, layout software or a typesetter
• KDP margin and gutter minimums by page count, IngramSpark's margins, and a setting that works on both
• Front matter and back matter in order, with right-hand and left-hand pages explained
• Fonts and embedding, text setting, UK and US style conventions, running heads and page numbers
• Exporting a print PDF, with KDP and IngramSpark requirements side by side
• Ebooks: reflowable or fixed layout, accepted formats, heading styles, linked contents, images, alt text and accessibility basics
• Checking files with Kindle Previewer and EPUBCheck, a full proofing pass, printed proofs and version control

Four printable handouts and a glossary

Who it's for

First-time self-publishers in the UK or the US who have an edited manuscript and need a print-ready interior PDF that a printer will accept and an ebook file that works on readers' devices.

Who it's not for

It does not teach any particular piece of software step by step. It does not cover the cover (Course 6), permissions for quotations, images and fonts (Course 4), ISBNs and copyright page details (Course 7) or the upload screens (Courses 8 and 9).

Common questions

What trim size should my self-published book be?

Choose a size that both your platforms offer and that suits the book. Common UK sizes include B-format (129 × 198 mm), Demy, A5 and Royal; 6 × 9 in is common in the US. Course 5 has a table of sizes in millimetres and inches, with which platform offers each.

What margins does KDP require for a paperback?

KDP's minimum inside margin (gutter) grows with page count, from 0.375 in (9.6 mm) for 24–150 pages to 0.875 in (22.3 mm) for 701–828 pages, as checked on 27 October 2026. IngramSpark recommends at least 0.5 in (13 mm) on all sides. These are minimums; most books look better with more. Course 5 gives a setting that works on both.

Does my book interior need bleed?

Only if something prints to the edge of the page, such as a photo or a coloured background. Then add bleed on the top, bottom and outside edges (not the spine side) and set up the whole file with bleed.

What PDF format does IngramSpark need?

IngramSpark requires PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002; KDP prefers PDF/X-1a. Embed every font, and send no crop marks, spreads, comments or security settings. Course 5 puts both platforms' print PDF requirements side by side.

How do I format an ebook for Kindle?

Use real heading styles, a linked table of contents, no page numbers or running heads, alt text for images and no text set as pictures. Check it in Kindle Previewer (and EPUB files with EPUBCheck) before you upload.

What order does the front matter of a book go in?

The title page goes on a right-hand page, the copyright page on its back, and chapter one starts on a right-hand page. Ebooks follow the same order but drop the blank pages. Course 5 lists the full running order for front and back matter.

What you get

An instant-download A4 PDF (39 pages) to read on screen or print, including four printable handouts: a production specification sheet, an interior proofing checklist, an ebook file checklist and a book file and version log.

Digital download (PDF). General information only; not professional typesetting, accessibility, legal or financial advice. Platform specifications were checked on the official websites on 27 October 2026 and can change at any time, so always check the platform's current help pages. Long Room Learning is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Lightning Source or any other platform, organisation or software maker named. No product or service is endorsed.