KDP cover setup · Updated 2026-05-30
KDP paperback cover PDF requirements
Prepare a single KDP paperback cover PDF with correct spread size, fonts, transparencies, layers, resolution, file size, and export cleanup.
KDP expects one continuous cover PDF
A paperback cover upload is not a front cover image. It should be one PDF containing back cover, spine, and front cover as a single spread at the calculated cover size. The file should match the print options selected for trim size, paper, ink, page count, and bleed.
Pre-upload PDF checklist
Before uploading, inspect both the document setup and the exported PDF. The design can look correct on screen but still fail if fonts, transparencies, visible template text, or file security remain in the final PDF.
| Check | Pass condition |
|---|---|
| File structure | One full-spread PDF, not separate front/back files |
| Size | Full cover size including bleed matches the calculator or KDP template |
| Fonts | Fonts are embedded or converted according to your design workflow |
| Transparency | Transparent effects are flattened where required by the export workflow |
| Template cleanup | Crop marks, color bars, template text, and guide labels are removed |
| Security | PDF is not locked or encrypted |
| File size | Keep the PDF efficient; very large files can slow or fail conversion |
Worked example: what the PDF size should be
A 6 × 9 paperback with 120 black-and-white pages on white paper and 0.125 in bleed should export as a 12.520 × 9.25 in full cover PDF. If your PDF page size is 6 × 9 in, it is only a front-cover-sized file and is not ready for a paperback wrap.