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Cover & KDP questions, answered

Real questions self-publishing authors ask — covers, spines, barcodes and KDP file problems — answered with tested numbers by the team behind the free cover studio.

💬 16 answers🔄 Updated weekly✔ Free to read
KDP PolicyEASY3 min read

Do I need to disclose my AI-generated KDP book cover?

I'm about to publish a paperback on KDP using a cover I made with an AI image generator. I added the text myself in Photoshop. The KDP process is asking if my book contains AI-generated content. Do I need to check 'yes' for the cover image, or does my editing make it exempt? I'm worried about getting this wrong and risking my entire account.

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Cover DesignEASY3 min read

How long should a KDP back cover blurb be?

I'm laying out my 6x9 paperback and my back cover blurb draft is way too long—like 300 words. Every guide says to keep it short, but I'm trying to fit my author bio and a review quote too. How do I actually squeeze everything onto the panel without making the text so small nobody can read it?

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Print FilesMEDIUM3 min read

Why does KDP reject my cover for DPI after I changed it to 300?

I'm trying to upload my paperback cover to KDP. The guidelines say it needs to be 300 DPI. I opened my JPEG in my editing software, saw it said 72 DPI, changed that number to 300, and re-uploaded the exact same file. It still got flagged for low resolution. What am I doing wrong? I thought changing the DPI setting fixed it.

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Book cover from OONA Cover Maker

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Cover DesignEASY3 min read

How do I make my KDP cover work at 160-pixel thumbnail size?

I just finished my cover design, but when I see it in the Amazon search results as a tiny thumbnail, it looks like a blurry mess. The title is unreadable, and it just blends in with all the others. How can I test and fix my design so it actually works at that small 150-pixel size?

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Print SpecsEASY3 min read

Choosing a novel trim size: 5x8, 5.5x8.5, or 6x9?

I'm formatting my novel for KDP and can't decide on the trim size. My manuscript is 85,000 words, and I want my book to look professional and fit on bookstore shelves. I hear 6x9 saves on printing costs, but I'm worried my book will look like a textbook instead of a literary novel. How do I pick the right one?

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KDP PublishingEASY3 min read

How long does a KDP cover update really take?

I just uploaded a new cover for my paperback on KDP, hoping to boost sales. The page says it went through review in about 72 hours, but now my 'Look Inside' preview is still showing the old cover after a week. I expected everything to update at once. How much longer do I need to wait, and is this normal?

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Print SpecsEASY2 min read

KDP cream vs white paper differences beyond color

I'm finalizing my 350-page novel on KDP and I'm stuck on paper choice. I always thought cream was just an aesthetic preference, but now I'm hearing it changes my actual spine width and page count? I already designed my cover file for what I thought was a 0.875’ spine, but the KDP calculator is giving me a different number based on paper type. What's going on here?

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PrintersADVANCED3 min read

Why does my KDP cover fail on IngramSpark?

My paperback cover passed KDP's checks perfectly, but IngramSpark's preflight keeps rejecting the exact same file. I need to use both KDP and IngramSpark for distribution. What are the specific, concrete differences in their file requirements that I'm missing?

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Print SpecsMEDIUM3 min read

How do I handle the barcode area on my book's back cover for KDP?

I'm finalizing my paperback cover design for KDP and I'm confused about the barcode. They say they'll add it automatically if I don't. How much space do I actually need to leave empty in that bottom-right corner? I don't want a big white sticker ruining my dark cover art.

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KDP FilesMEDIUM4 min read

Why does my KDP paperback cover look cropped or shifted?

I uploaded my paperback cover to KDP and the preview looks totally wrong. My title is off-center and some of the back cover text is missing, even though the file looks perfect in Adobe InDesign at 4200 x 2962 pixels. I tried exporting a bigger version, but the problem is still there. Everyone says to check the resolution, but that's not fixing it.

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KDP FilesMEDIUM4 min read

Why does KDP keep rejecting my cover file?

I just got another generic 'does not meet specifications' email from KDP. My PDF is roughly the right size for my 6x9 book, and I calculated the spine width myself. What am I missing? The lack of detail is incredibly frustrating when I’ve spent hours on this design.

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KDP FilesMEDIUM4 min read

What are the exact KDP paperback cover size requirements?

I'm trying to finalize my 6x9 trim, 350 page paperback cover design for KDP and I'm stuck. I have the spine width formula, but I'm worried my PDF will get rejected if I miss one detail like the bleed or safe zones. Can someone explain the complete rulebook with real numbers, so I don't waste another upload?

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Print SpecsEASY3 min read

Why does KDP reject my spine text on 75-page book?

I'm trying to publish my 75-page novella on KDP and my cover keeps getting rejected for spine text. My cover designer included the title on the spine, and the tool we used allowed it. I don't understand why Amazon won’t print text on a spine that’s clearly there. What's the minimum page rule actually about?

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EbooksEASY3 min read

What are the exact KDP ebook cover size requirements?

I just tried to upload my ebook cover to KDP, and I'm running into problems. My file is 1600x2133 pixels, and it looks stretched weirdly in the preview. Also, I designed it originally for print, so I'm worried the colors look dull now. What are the exact pixel dimensions and color settings I need to get right?

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Print SpecsEASY2 min read

KDP cover finish: glossy vs matte, which for my fiction book?

I'm setting up my first paperback on KDP and they just ask me to pick glossy or matte with no preview. The cost is the same, but I'm ordering a proof and don't want to waste time redoing it. My cover is a dark, moody design for a literary novel. How do I know which finish actually fits?

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Print FilesMEDIUM3 min read

Should I use RGB or CMYK for my KDP and IngramSpark book cover?

I'm designing my first paperback cover and am confused about color modes. My KDP preview looks dark compared to my shiny screen design, and I've heard IngramSpark has different rules. I don't want my vibrant blues to turn muddy or black. Which color space do I actually use for each printer to avoid ruining the print?

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