KDP cover setup · Updated 2026-05-30 · Reviewed by Print Ready Tools
KDP paperback cover rejection checklist
Use this KDP paperback cover rejection checklist before upload: PDF size, bleed, spine text, barcode area, image resolution, fonts, and color setup.
Run these checks before uploading the cover PDF
Most cover rejections come from a mismatch between the file you export and the print setup selected in KDP. Check the physical canvas size first, then inspect the design details that can fail during preview or review.
| Area | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Cover size | Full spread includes back cover, spine, front cover, and bleed | A front-cover-only image will not fit a paperback wrap |
| Bleed | Backgrounds extend through 0.125 in bleed where artwork reaches the edge | Stops white borders after trim |
| Spine text | No spine text under 79 pages; text stays inside the spine safe area | Small spines and shifted text can trigger rejection |
| Barcode area | Back-cover barcode area is empty or your barcode meets KDP formatting rules | Text or images in barcode location can be rejected |
| PDF export | One PDF, fonts embedded, transparencies flattened, template text removed | Prevents conversion and print errors |
| Images | Cover image quality is planned around 300 DPI at final print size | Avoids low-resolution or pixelated artwork |
Worked example: 6 × 9 paperback, 120 pages
For a 6 × 9 in black-and-white paperback on white paper with 120 pages, the spine is 120 × 0.002252 = 0.270 in. With 0.125 in bleed, the full cover file is 12.520 × 9.25 in. At 300 PPI, the design canvas is 3756 × 2775 px. If your exported PDF does not match those dimensions, fix the file before upload.
- Do not export a 6 × 9 front-cover-only image.
- Do not center spine text from an older page count.
- Do not leave guide layers, crop marks, color bars, or template labels visible.
- Do not place review quotes, logos, or author photos inside the barcode area.
What the calculator can and cannot verify
The calculator checks dimensions, spine width, bleed, pixel canvas, and barcode planning. It cannot inspect your final PDF for embedded fonts, locked security, flattened transparencies, raster quality, or hidden template layers. Use it before design export, then use KDP Previewer as the final upload check.