Did you know that different self-publishing platforms have (slightly) different cover requirements for your files?
I’ve used Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) (@amazonkdp on IG), Ingram Spark (@ingramsparkbooks on IG), and Lulu (@luludotcom on IG). I’ve even used all three for the same title, and I had to modify the files for each.
The basic requirements are the same: they need a print-ready wrap pdf file for the cover for a printed book. (And if you are creating a hard cover and a soft cover, those requirements are different still, even if the same basic dimensions of the book are the same. Just something to think about when planning how you are going to offer your book.)
Ingram and Lulu use different weights of paper, and this makes their spine requirements (i.e., width) different, even for the same dimension of book (i.e., a 6 x 9 trade). In practice, this means if you are working on a book and you want early copies for beta readers and you want them from Lulu, but you want to distribute via Ingram, you need to make two covers in slightly different sizes. While the platform offers you choices in the paper weight, they DO NOT offer the SAME weights. Ingram offers 50 and 70 pound weight paper; Lulu offers 60 and 80 pound.
What about KDP? KDP doesn’t offer you a choice, so I think they have a standard that they use. For a nonfiction book I loaded to KDP for a client, a black and white interior was described as 50-61 pound weight. I think this means that they have a range of paper that they use and it may depend on which printing facility prints your book. That said, they have an online cover creator that you can use and it will calculate the template to work perfectly with your uploaded file. Although honestly, I prefer their template generator that provides the dimensions.; but I have the software to use at home.
All three platforms provide you with a template to help you formulate your book cover after making the selections to the choices they offer. You can also make such calculations yourself or find a generic calculator online, but it might be best to use the platform’s template as it is based explicitly on the paper weight(s) they offer.
[Note here: I also used the Bookbaby platform about a decade ago, but I am not sure how their current system operates. They do offer templates, though, so don’t be afraid to use their platform.]
If you are new to self-publishing, best practice is to pick one platform and get the template that is provided for your specific book. If you are having someone else create your cover for you, provide the template and the dimensions that the platform gave you, or inform them of the platform you are using and discuss the different choices you have.
What platforms have you used? How does that platform offer you the information you need to develop a book cover file?
Tara Moeller - Editing 