How do you format a paperback for Amazon KDP without mistakes? Make the printing decisions before you style the manuscript. Choose the trim size, ink and paper, and bleed setting first. Then set the exact page size, mirrored margins, section breaks, page numbers, images, and fonts. Export a print-ready PDF, generate the cover from the final page count, inspect every page in Print Previewer, and order a physical proof.

The most expensive formatting mistake is doing those steps out of order. If you change the trim size, font, margins, paper, or interior file late, the page count can change. That changes the spine width, which means the finished cover may no longer fit.

This guide uses a Microsoft Word–first workflow with Amazon’s official paperback manuscript templates. It also explains when Kindle Create is simpler and when a dedicated book-layout tool is safer.

Editorial illustration showing a paperback manuscript moving through trim size, mirrored margins, section breaks, PDF export, cover sizing, Print Previewer, and physical proof inspection

The no-mistake KDP paperback workflow

Finish editing the manuscript before layout.
Choose the final trim size, ink, paper, and bleed setting.
Download the matching KDP Word template.
Set the page size and mirrored margins before styling chapters.
Build the front matter, body, and back matter with section breaks.
Apply paragraph and heading styles consistently.
Add page numbers and running headers by section.
Insert images at their final size and at least 300 DPI.
Embed all fonts and export the interior as a print-ready PDF.
Confirm the final PDF page count.
Generate the full-wrap cover from Amazon’s cover calculator.
Upload both files, review every page in Print Previewer, and fix the source files.
Order a printed proof and inspect the physical book before publication.

The order matters: do not finalize the cover before the interior PDF is finished. A single font, margin, or paragraph-spacing change can move enough text to change the spine width.

A safe default setup for a text-heavy paperback

There is no universal layout for every genre, but this is a sensible starting configuration for a text-heavy novel, memoir, or standard nonfiction book.

Setting	Safe starting choice	Why
Trim size	6 × 9 inches	It is KDP’s default U.S. paperback size and works well for general nonfiction and many novels.
Bleed	No bleed	Use no bleed unless an image, background, rule, or graphic intentionally reaches a page edge.
Interior	Black ink	Best for text-heavy interiors unless color is essential to the reader experience.
Paper	Cream for many novels; white for many nonfiction books, workbooks, and books with graphics	This is a design choice. Compare physical books in your category before deciding.
Body type	Readable serif font around 10–12 points	KDP’s 7-point minimum is a production floor, not a comfortable design target.
Paragraphs	First-line indent for narrative text; consistent spacing for nonfiction	Avoid using tabs, repeated spaces, or blank lines to fake paragraph formatting.
Margins	Mirror margins; inside margin based on final page count	The inside margin must grow as the book becomes thicker.
Interior file	Print-ready PDF	A PDF preserves the layout and is required when the interior uses bleed.
Cover file	One full-wrap PDF generated from the final page count	The cover must include the back, spine, and front in a single correctly sized file.

Choose the formatting workflow before editing the layout

The best workflow depends on how complicated the interior is.

Workflow	Best for	Main advantage	Main risk
Microsoft Word + KDP template	Novels, memoirs, essays, and standard nonfiction	Accessible, inexpensive, and controllable when styles and section breaks are used properly.	Manual page breaks, local formatting, and bad section settings can create hidden errors.
Kindle Create	Text-heavy books with simple layouts	Amazon-supported themes, chapter detection, front/back matter tools, and KPF export.	KDP does not recommend its print workflow for interiors relying on editable tables, footnotes, or bleed.
Atticus	Authors who want a dedicated cross-platform writing and book-formatting tool	Imports manuscripts and exports print PDFs and digital book files from one project.	You still need to verify KDP trim, bleed, image, and cover requirements.
Vellum	Mac users producing polished fiction and text-heavy nonfiction	Automates print margins, page numbers, headers, and book-specific styling.	It is available only on macOS and is a paid tool.
Adobe InDesign	Children’s books, art books, complex workbooks, textbooks, and image-heavy layouts	Professional control over master pages, image placement, typography, bleed, and print export.	It has the steepest learning curve and makes it easier to create technically precise but visually poor pages.
Google Docs	Drafting and collaboration	Easy sharing and revision.	Long-document pagination, mirrored margins, sections, headers, and print export are easier to disrupt.
Canva	Short visual interiors and cover concepts	Fast visual design.	It is easy to produce inconsistent page sizes, weak typography, low-resolution graphics, and difficult long-document revisions.

For a first text-heavy paperback, Word plus Amazon’s template is the most transparent workflow. For a book with full-page photographs, complex tables, repeated workbook elements, or carefully controlled visual spreads, use software designed for page layout.

Lock the print options before formatting

Open the KDP paperback setup and decide the print configuration before building the interior. KDP’s current Print Options include choices for ink, paper, trim size, bleed, and cover finish.

Write the choices at the top of your project notes:

Binding: Paperback
Reading direction: Left to right
Trim size: 6 × 9 inches
Interior: Black ink
Paper: Cream
Bleed: No bleed
Cover finish: Matte

The interior PDF, KDP setup, and cover calculator must all use the same choices. A mismatch between any of them can create margin, cover-size, or preview errors.

Color warning: if any interior artwork must print in color, choose a color interior. Black-ink printing will not preserve color simply because the source PDF contains it.

Choose the paperback trim size

Trim size is the final width and height of the printed page after manufacturing. Amazon identifies 6 × 9 inches as the most common U.S. trim size and uses it as the default paperback size, but the best size depends on the category and reading experience.

Trim size	Often used for	Layout effect
5 × 8 inches	Compact fiction, poetry, short memoirs	More pages and a thicker spine for the same word count.
5.25 × 8 or 5.5 × 8.5 inches	Trade fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction	Feels book-like without being as compact as 5 × 8.
6 × 9 inches	General nonfiction, business books, manuals, many novels	Fits more text per page and is easy to set up with KDP templates.
7 × 10 inches	Workbooks, educational books, technical guides	Provides more room for tables, exercises, and diagrams.
8 × 10 or 8.5 × 11 inches	Workbooks, textbooks, activity books, image-heavy nonfiction	Provides writing and image space but can feel oversized for continuous reading.
Square formats	Children’s books, visual books, selected journals	Requires a layout and cover designed specifically for the square page.

Choose the size by examining successful books in the same category. Once chosen, set the Word page size before styling, because changing it later alters line breaks, page breaks, page count, gutter requirements, and spine width.

Bleed vs. no bleed

Bleed is needed when a background, photograph, illustration, rule, or other object must reach the physical edge of the printed page. The object extends beyond the trim line so normal cutting variation does not leave a white strip.

For a standard left-to-right paperback interior, KDP trims 0.125 inch from the top, bottom, and outside edge. That means the page file becomes wider and taller, but no bleed is added at the binding edge.

Interior type	PDF page size	Example for 6 × 9
No bleed	Exactly the selected trim size	6 × 9 inches
With bleed	Trim width + 0.125 inch; trim height + 0.25 inch	6.125 × 9.25 inches

Bleed page width  = trim width + 0.125 inch
Bleed page height = trim height + 0.25 inch

Example:
6 × 9 trim → 6.125 × 9.25 PDF page

Choose bleed only when needed. A text-only book does not benefit from bleed. If the book uses bleed, the manuscript must be uploaded as a PDF, and every object intended to touch an edge must extend fully through the bleed area.

Do not place page numbers, captions, headings, or important image details in the bleed zone. Bleed is sacrificial artwork, not a safe content area.

Set mirrored margins and the correct inside margin

Paperback pages alternate between left-facing and right-facing pages. Use mirrored margins so the binding-side margin switches sides automatically.

KDP’s minimum inside margin increases with the number of pages because a thicker book needs more space near the binding.

Final page count	Minimum inside margin	Minimum outside margin without bleed	Minimum outside margin with bleed
24–150 pages	0.375 inch	0.25 inch	0.375 inch
151–300 pages	0.5 inch	0.25 inch	0.375 inch
301–500 pages	0.625 inch	0.25 inch	0.375 inch
501–700 pages	0.75 inch	0.25 inch	0.375 inch
701–828 pages	0.875 inch	0.25 inch	0.375 inch

Those are minimums, not automatic design recommendations. A book can technically pass KDP and still feel cramped. Use larger outside, top, and bottom margins when the category and page count allow it.

Word margin setup

Open Layout → Margins → Custom Margins.
Choose Mirror margins under Multiple pages.
Apply the setting to the whole document.
Enter the inside margin required for the final page count.
Enter the outside, top, and bottom margins.
In Word, leave the separate Gutter field at zero and place the required binding allowance in the Inside field.

KDP’s Word walkthrough suggests generous top and bottom margins when running headers are used. Do not push headers, footers, or body text against the production minimum merely to remove a few pages.

Recheck after export: changing the font, trim size, line spacing, or paragraph spacing can change the page count. If the book moves into a new page-count band, increase the inside margin and export again.

Set up the manuscript with Amazon’s Word template

Amazon provides blank templates and templates with sample content for supported trim sizes. The blank version includes the page size and margins. The sample-content version also includes formatted front matter and chapters.

Download the template matching the language and final trim size.
Save a working copy under a new filename.
Turn on Word’s Show/Hide formatting marks.
Delete every sample paragraph, placeholder heading, and template instruction you do not need.
Paste the manuscript as unformatted text or use Paste and Match Formatting.
Apply Word styles instead of formatting each paragraph manually.
Inspect the document in the Navigation pane and page view.

Remaining template text is a common submission error. Search the document for obvious placeholders such as “Chapter 1,” “Book Title,” “Author Name,” and sample copyright language before export.

Create a small style system

Word style	Use	Control centrally
Normal or Body	Main text	Font, size, line spacing, first-line indent, paragraph spacing, justification.
Heading 1	Chapter or major section titles	Typeface, size, spacing, alignment, page-break behavior.
Heading 2	Subheadings in nonfiction	Hierarchy, spacing, keep-with-next behavior.
First Paragraph	First paragraph after a chapter title or major break	No first-line indent; optional drop cap or lead-in treatment.
Block Quote	Long quotations, letters, extracts	Left/right indent, spacing, optional smaller type.
Caption	Figures, photographs, tables	Size, alignment, spacing, numbering.

When a style changes, every paragraph using it updates. That is the difference between a manageable book file and hundreds of manually formatted exceptions.

Build the front matter with real section breaks

Front matter appears before the main text. Not every book needs every element, but KDP lists a conventional order:

Half title
Title page
Copyright page
Reviews or praise
Dedication
Table of contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Prologue
Introduction

A simple novel might use only a title page, copyright page, dedication, optional contents page, and the story. A nonfiction book may need a contents page, preface, acknowledgments, and introduction.

Use section breaks—not repeated blank lines

Use Layout → Breaks → Next Page to separate front matter from the body and to create independent chapter or part sections. Section breaks let you control page-number styles, headers, footers, and chapter opening pages without affecting the whole file.

Right-facing pages are odd-numbered pages. Chapter 1 traditionally begins on a right-facing page. Later chapters may begin on the next available page unless the book’s design intentionally starts every chapter on the right.

Break type	Use it for	Possible problem
Next Page section break	Front matter, chapters, parts, back matter	Starts the new section on the next page, whether left or right.
Odd Page section break	A design that requires a section to begin on a right-facing page	Word may insert an intentional blank even page, which can look unexpected in the PDF.
Page break	A simple new page within one section	Does not create independent header, footer, or numbering controls.
Repeated Enter presses	Nothing	Text moves unpredictably whenever pagination changes.

If every chapter must start on an odd page, use Odd Page section breaks intentionally and verify each inserted blank page. Do not delete a necessary blank simply because it looks empty on screen.

Format chapter openings and body text consistently

Book typography should disappear while the reader focuses on the content. The most common problem is not an obviously ugly font. It is inconsistent spacing, indents, headings, and chapter openings.

Body text

Use one primary body typeface.
Use a readable size, usually around 10–12 points depending on the typeface and trim size.
Use paragraph settings, not tabs or spaces, for first-line indents.
Avoid adding a blank line between every paragraph in conventional narrative books.
For practical nonfiction, either indents or paragraph spacing can work, but use one system consistently.
Keep line spacing comfortable without making the book look like a school paper.
Control widows and orphans carefully, but do not introduce large white gaps to remove every one.

Chapter openings

Apply Heading 1 to every chapter title.
Use consistent spacing before and after the chapter title.
Remove the first-line indent from the first paragraph after the heading.
Suppress running headers on chapter-opening pages.
Use drop caps or ornaments only if they fit the genre and reproduce cleanly.

Nonfiction headings

Use Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3 in a logical hierarchy. Avoid a heading stranded at the bottom of a page. Word’s Keep with next setting can keep a heading attached to the first paragraph that follows it.

Set page numbers and running headers by section

Page numbering is where section-break mistakes become visible. Front matter may use lowercase Roman numerals, while the main text usually begins with Arabic page 1. Many novels omit visible front-matter numbers entirely while still counting the pages internally.

A reliable Word setup

Create a section break between the front matter and Chapter 1.
Open the footer on the first page of Chapter 1.
Turn off Link to Previous.
Insert the page number.
Choose Format Page Numbers and start the body at 1.
If using Roman numerals in the front matter, format that section separately.
Use Different First Page to hide numbers or headers on title and chapter-opening pages.
Use Different Odd & Even Pages when running headers differ by side.

For left-to-right books, odd page numbers belong on right-facing pages and even numbers on left-facing pages. KDP requires sequential pagination and can flag inconsistent numbering.

Running headers

A common design places the author’s name on left pages and the book title on right pages. Nonfiction may use chapter titles instead. Do not use running headers on the half title, title page, copyright page, table of contents opening, part pages, or chapter-opening pages.

Blank-page warning: Word can insert blank pages when an Odd Page section break follows an odd-numbered page. Turn on formatting marks and inspect the exported PDF before assuming the page is accidental.

Format images, tables, workbooks, and full-bleed pages

Images

KDP recommends images at a minimum of 300 DPI at their final printed size. A 1200 × 1800-pixel image printed at 4 × 6 inches is 300 DPI. Changing an image’s metadata to “300 DPI” does not create missing pixels.

Insert the original image file; do not copy and paste from a web page.
Size the image before placing it into Word.
Do not enlarge a small image after insertion.
Turn off Word’s automatic image compression.
Flatten transparency and layered artwork before final export.
Use color interior printing when the images must reproduce in color.
Keep captions and important image details inside the safe margins.

KDP identifies images below 200 DPI as low resolution and recommends at least 300 DPI. It also recommends avoiding unnecessarily extreme resolutions; approximately 600 DPI is a practical upper target for many source images because oversized files can slow processing.

Turn off Word image compression

Open File → Options → Advanced.
Find Image Size and Quality.
Select Do not compress images in file.
Choose the current document or apply the setting globally.

Tables and charts

Simple tables can work in Word, but inspect every page after PDF conversion. Do not let tables cross the inside margin or split in unreadable places. KDP recommends lines at least 0.75 point thick for charts, tables, and other line-based graphics.

For wide tables, consider one of these options:

rewrite the table into two smaller tables
use a larger trim size
use landscape-oriented content only with a carefully designed layout
move detailed data to an appendix or companion download
use InDesign when the table structure is too complex for Word

Workbooks

Workbooks need more than KDP’s minimum margin. Give readers physical writing room, especially near the binding. Test actual pen use in the proof copy. A line that looks spacious on a monitor may feel cramped when the book is held open.

Children’s and image-heavy books

Use full bleed only when the design requires it. Keep faces, text, and important artwork away from trim and fold uncertainty. Image-heavy books usually benefit from dedicated page-layout software, because every spread must be checked visually rather than allowed to reflow.

Choose fonts that can be embedded and printed

KDP requires fonts to be embedded in both the interior and cover files. Use fonts that allow commercial print use and embedding. A font that looks correct on your computer may be substituted or rejected if the font data cannot be embedded.

Embed fonts in Word

Open File → Options → Save.
Select Embed fonts in the file.
Leave Embed only the characters used unchecked.
Leave Do not embed common system fonts unchecked.
Save the working file before exporting the PDF.

Check the final PDF in a PDF viewer under File → Properties → Fonts. Every used font should show as embedded. KDP recommends full embedding rather than subset embedding when possible.

Font issue	Likely cause	Fix
Font is not embedded	Word embedding was disabled or the font license blocks embedding.	Enable embedding or replace the font.
Bold or italic rejected	The software created a faux style rather than using a real bold or italic font file.	Install and select the actual font family member.
Unexpected line breaks	The PDF substituted the font or used different font metrics.	Embed the correct font and export again.
Font error remains after visible text is changed	The rejected font may remain in headers, line breaks, punctuation, tables, or unused style definitions.	Inspect styles and hidden formatting, then replace the font throughout the document.

Export a print-ready manuscript PDF

KDP prefers PDF for paperbacks, and PDF is required for a bleed interior. A print-ready PDF freezes page dimensions, line breaks, images, and typography more reliably than uploading a live Word file.

Before exporting

Turn on Word’s formatting marks.
Inspect section breaks and manual page breaks.
Update the table of contents.
Update cross-references and figure numbers.
Run spelling and grammar checks.
Search for placeholder text.
Confirm image compression is disabled.
Confirm fonts are set to embed.

PDF export settings

When Adobe PDF is available, Amazon’s Word-to-PDF guidance recommends PDF/X-1a or, if unavailable, a High Quality Print or Press Quality preset. If using Word’s built-in PDF export, inspect the output carefully rather than assuming the conversion preserved everything.

The finished interior PDF should meet these checks:

PDF check	Requirement
Page size	Every page matches the exact no-bleed or bleed dimensions.
Page format	Single pages, not reader spreads or two-up pages.
Fonts	All fonts are embedded.
Images	At least 300 DPI at final size, embedded, and flattened.
File size	No more than 650 MB.
Security	No password, encryption, or editing lock.
Printer marks	No crop marks, trim marks, registration marks, or color bars.
Annotations	No comments, bookmarks, visible review marks, placeholders, or PDF-creator watermarks.
Pagination	Sequential and correctly positioned on left/right pages.

Open the exported PDF and inspect it at actual size. Check the PDF properties for page dimensions and embedded fonts. Then scroll through it as pages—not as continuous draft text.

Create the full-wrap paperback cover after pagination is final

A paperback cover is not a front-cover image. It is one continuous PDF containing the back cover, spine, and front cover.

Wait until the final interior PDF is complete. Then use Amazon’s Print Cover Calculator and Template Generator.

Select Paperback.
Select the exact interior type.
Select the exact paper type.
Select the reading direction.
Select the exact trim size.
Enter the page count of the final formatted PDF.
Download the PDF or PNG cover template.
Place the template as a locked guide layer in the design file.
Export one print-ready cover PDF with the guide layer hidden.

Full-cover size formula

Cover width =
0.125 bleed
+ back cover width
+ spine width
+ front cover width
+ 0.125 bleed

Cover height =
0.125 bleed
+ trim height
+ 0.125 bleed

The cover calculator is safer than calculating the spine manually because the spine depends on page count, ink, and paper. KDP’s published spine factors currently differ for white, cream, groundwood, and color paper.

Cover requirement	What to do
File structure	Upload one PDF containing back, spine, and front.
Cover bleed	Extend backgrounds 0.125 inch beyond every outer edge.
Outer safe area	Keep content not intended for trimming at least 0.25 inch from the outside cover edge.
Spine text	Use only when the final book has at least 80 pages.
Spine safety	Keep spine text at least 0.0625 inch from each spine edge.
Barcode	Leave the template’s barcode area clear if Amazon will add the barcode.
Images	Use high-resolution, flattened artwork.
Fonts	Embed all cover fonts and avoid faux bold or italic styles.

Do not resize an old cover by stretching it to a new template. If the page count changes, reposition the spine, fold-sensitive elements, back-cover copy, and barcode area in the editable source file.

Upload the files and inspect Print Previewer

In KDP, choose the same ink, paper, trim, and bleed settings used to create the files. Upload the manuscript, upload or build the cover, and launch Print Previewer.

Print Previewer checks issues such as margins, cover size, and fonts. It may attempt to scale or reflow some content, but an automatic adjustment is not a substitute for fixing the original document.

Review every interior page

Confirm the first printed page appears on the correct side.
Check all intentional and unintentional blank pages.
Confirm Chapter 1 begins on a right-facing page.
Check the position of every later chapter opening.
Verify odd/even page numbers.
Check running headers and their suppression on opening pages.
Inspect tables, captions, footnotes, and callout boxes.
Zoom into every image.
Check that bleed artwork crosses the trim line.
Confirm no live text crosses the margin boundaries.
Look for sudden font, spacing, or line-break changes.

Review the cover

Confirm the title is present on the front cover.
Check spine centering and reading direction.
Make sure no spine text crosses the spine safe area.
Check back-cover copy against the fold and barcode zones.
Confirm all backgrounds extend through bleed.
Check that no template guides appear in the exported file.

Do not approve a file you have not reviewed page by page. A green preview status does not guarantee that the typography, blank pages, chapter starts, image quality, and cover alignment are aesthetically correct.

Order and inspect a physical proof copy

A screen cannot show binding tightness, paper show-through, real image contrast, cover color, text size, or whether the book feels comfortable to hold. Order a printed proof before publication.

KDP allows proof copies while the book is in Draft status after the book is approved in Print Previewer. You can request up to five proofs per order. Proofs include a “Not for Resale” watermark and a unique barcode without the book’s ISBN.

Inspect the physical book in this order

Area	What to inspect
Cover	Color, finish, trim, front alignment, spine centering, fold position, back-cover copy, barcode zone.
Binding	Whether text feels too close to the spine and whether the book opens comfortably.
Body text	Font size, line spacing, darkness, paragraph indent, justification, widows, and awkward word spacing.
Page architecture	Recto/verso position, blank pages, chapter starts, part pages, page numbers, headers, and footers.
Images	Sharpness, grayscale conversion, color, crop, bleed, caption placement, and contrast.
Tables and workbook pages	Legibility, line thickness, writing room, binding clearance, and page-break behavior.
Paper choice	Readability, opacity, contrast, tactile feel, and suitability for the category.

Read at least several consecutive pages rather than flipping randomly. Continuous reading reveals tight leading, weak margins, distracting headers, and uncomfortable type more reliably than spot checks.

Common KDP formatting errors and how to fix them

Error	Likely cause	Fix
Wrong trim size	The Word page or exported PDF does not match the KDP selection.	Set the correct page size in the source file, repaginate, and export a new PDF.
White border on a bleed page	The page size or artwork does not extend far enough past the trim line.	Use the bleed page dimensions and extend artwork 0.125 inch beyond the top, bottom, and outside edges.
Margin or gutter warning	The inside margin is too small for the page count, or content crosses the safe area.	Use mirror margins, increase the inside margin, and reposition content.
Extra blank pages	Odd Page breaks, duplicated breaks, hidden paragraphs, or Word pagination rules.	Show formatting marks and inspect section/page breaks rather than deleting pages blindly.
Chapter starts on the wrong side	Wrong break type or a deleted intentional blank page.	Use an Odd Page section break only where a recto opening is required.
Page numbers restart or repeat	Sections remain linked or numbering is configured inconsistently.	Unlink the section footer and set the correct Start at or Continue settings.
Header appears on chapter opener	Different First Page is disabled or the section is linked incorrectly.	Enable Different First Page and verify each chapter section.
Low-resolution image warning	The image has too few pixels at its printed dimensions.	Replace it with a higher-resolution source or print it smaller.
Image disappeared during PDF export	Word print settings, unsupported transparency, or third-party PDF conversion.	Flatten the image, enable printing of drawings/backgrounds, and use a reliable print-PDF workflow.
Unembedded or rejected font	Embedding is disabled, the license blocks embedding, or a faux style is used.	Fully embed the font or replace it with an embeddable family.
Cover rejected	Wrong page count, wrong paper selection, bad spine width, missing bleed, or invalid spine text.	Regenerate the official cover template using the final interior settings.
Spine text rejected	The book has fewer than 80 pages or text falls outside the spine safe area.	Remove the spine text or increase the book naturally—never add meaningless pages solely for a spine title.
Template text remains	Sample content was not fully deleted.	Search the source document and inspect every page before exporting.
PDF watermark or logo appears	A free or third-party PDF converter added branding.	Export through Word, Adobe PDF, or another professional unbranded PDF workflow.

Professional KDP paperback preflight checklist

Print setup

Trim size matches the KDP paperback setup.
Ink and paper choices are final.
Bleed is selected only when the interior requires it.
The PDF page size includes bleed correctly when applicable.

Margins and page architecture

Mirror margins are enabled.
The inside margin matches the final page-count band.
Top, bottom, and outside margins exceed KDP minimums where appropriate.
Front matter, body, and back matter use deliberate section breaks.
Chapter 1 begins on a right-facing page.
Later chapter starts follow one intentional design rule.
Every blank page is intentional.

Typography

Body type is readable at printed size.
Paragraph indents and spacing are controlled by styles.
The first paragraph after a chapter heading is formatted intentionally.
Headings are not stranded at page bottoms.
No faux bold or italic fonts are used.
All fonts allow commercial print use and embedding.

Headers and pagination

Odd numbers appear on right pages and even numbers on left pages.
The body begins at the intended page number.
Roman numeral front matter is configured consistently if used.
Running headers are correct on odd and even pages.
Headers and visible page numbers are suppressed where intended.

Images and tables

Images are at least 300 DPI at final print size.
Word image compression is disabled.
No image has been enlarged beyond its useful resolution.
All transparency and layers are flattened.
Bleed artwork crosses the trim line fully.
Tables remain inside the margins and are readable.
Lines are thick enough to reproduce cleanly.

Interior PDF

All pages have identical dimensions.
The file contains single pages rather than spreads.
All fonts are embedded.
The file is under 650 MB.
No crop marks, comments, placeholders, or watermarks remain.
The PDF is not encrypted or password protected.
The final page count has been recorded for the cover.

Cover

The template was generated from the final page count and exact print settings.
The cover is one continuous PDF.
Background artwork extends through all cover bleed edges.
Text stays inside the safe areas.
Spine text is used only for a book of at least 80 pages.
The barcode zone is clear when Amazon will add the barcode.
The template guide layer is hidden before export.

Final quality control

Every page has been reviewed in Print Previewer.
Every warning has been understood rather than ignored automatically.
The physical proof has been inspected in normal reading light.
Corrections were made in the editable source files.
The corrected PDF and cover were uploaded and previewed again.

When to use Kindle Create, Atticus, Vellum, or InDesign instead

Word is not automatically the best tool simply because the manuscript was written in Word.

Your book	Better starting tool	Reason
Simple novel or memoir	Word, Kindle Create, Atticus, or Vellum	The layout is mostly continuous text and chapter openings.
Text-heavy nonfiction with simple headings	Word, Atticus, Vellum, or Kindle Create	The main needs are heading hierarchy, contents, pages, and consistent body text.
Nonfiction with many tables or footnotes	Word, Atticus, or InDesign	Kindle Create cannot directly edit imported tables, lists, footnotes, and some inline elements.
Workbook with repeated layouts	InDesign or another page-layout application	Master pages and precise object placement reduce inconsistency.
Children’s or image-heavy book	InDesign or another professional fixed-page layout tool	Every image, bleed edge, caption, and spread needs controlled positioning.
Short visual journal or activity book	Canva or page-layout software, with strict preflight	Canva may be workable for simple pages, but the exported PDF still has to meet every KDP requirement.

Regardless of software, KDP evaluates the exported files—not how easy the design program felt to use. Always verify page size, bleed, margins, fonts, images, cover dimensions, and physical output.

FAQ

What is the easiest way to format a paperback for KDP?

For a text-heavy book, use Microsoft Word with Amazon’s manuscript template or use Kindle Create for a simple layout. Set the trim size and margins before styling, then export a PDF and review it in Print Previewer.

What page size should I use for a 6 × 9 KDP paperback?

For no bleed, use exactly 6 × 9 inches. For bleed, use 6.125 × 9.25 inches because KDP adds 0.125 inch to the outside width and 0.125 inch to both the top and bottom.

Do I need bleed for a normal novel?

Usually not. A text-only novel normally uses no bleed. Choose bleed only when artwork, backgrounds, rules, or other objects must reach a page edge.

What margins should I use for KDP?

Use mirrored margins. KDP’s minimum inside margin ranges from 0.375 inch for books up to 150 pages to 0.875 inch for books over 700 pages. The minimum outside margin is 0.25 inch without bleed and 0.375 inch with bleed.

Should I add a separate gutter in Microsoft Word?

In KDP’s Word workflow, put the required binding allowance in the Inside margin and leave Word’s separate Gutter field at zero. Select Mirror margins so the inside edge alternates correctly.

Does KDP require a PDF manuscript?

A PDF is required for an interior with bleed and is the safer format for fixed print layout. KDP accepts several other formats for no-bleed books, but those files are converted before printing.

How do I calculate the KDP cover size?

Finish the interior first, record its final page count, and enter the binding, ink, paper, trim size, reading direction, and page count into Amazon’s Print Cover Calculator. Download the generated PDF or PNG template.

Can I put text on the paperback spine?

Only use spine text when the final paperback contains at least 80 pages. Keep the text inside the spine safe area and at least 0.0625 inch from each spine edge.

What image resolution does KDP require?

KDP recommends images at a minimum of 300 DPI at their final printed dimensions. Resizing a small image or changing its DPI label does not add real image detail.

Should I order a proof before publishing?

Yes. Print Previewer catches file and layout issues, but only a physical proof reveals binding clearance, real text size, paper show-through, image contrast, cover alignment, and how the book feels in hand.

Official KDP sources and useful links

A clean KDP paperback is built in sequence: lock the print configuration, format the interior, export and inspect the PDF, generate the cover from the final page count, review the digital preview, and then inspect a physical proof. Skipping that sequence is what turns a small formatting change into a rejected cover or a book that technically prints but does not look professionally designed.

How to Format a Paperback for Amazon KDP Without Mistakes