The Learning Zone
Practical design, formatting, and editorial guidance for authors and publishers bringing a book to print.
How to Set Up a Print-Ready Cover File for KDP
A print-ready KDP cover file starts with KDP’s own template and ends with KDP’s Previewer. Here’s the setup, and why an IngramSpark template won’t work.
Standard, Graphic, or Premium Cover: Which Level Does Your Book Actually Need?
Cover tiers aren’t ranked by price — they’re ranked by design scope. Here’s what actually separates Standard, Graphic, and Premium covers, and the real signal that should drive the choice.
Why Is My Barcode Missing or Unreadable on My Print Cover?
Your print cover’s barcode is missing, distorted, or won’t scan. Here’s what actually causes it, how much space it needs, and how to fix it before your next proof.