Publishing Kit. IDEA → BOOK → LISTING → PUBLISH
You create.
Amazon prints it.
KDP lets you upload a book, create its Amazon listing and make it available for sale. For print books, Amazon can print copies as customers order them.
Choose the Book
Start with a clear reader, purpose and book concept before designing pages.
Create the Files
Build the interior and cover using the correct trim size, margins and bleed settings.
Build the Listing
Add your title details, description, keywords, categories and pricing inside KDP.
Preview + Publish
Use the KDP previewer, correct any file issues and submit the book for review.
Start with the
reader.
Do not start by designing random pages. Decide who the book is for, what they want and what type of book makes sense for that need.
Book Idea Filter
Define the reader, the problem or desire, the result and the best format before you create.
Workbooks, planners, trackers and journals that help a specific reader complete a specific process.
Puzzles, prompts, activities or educational pages created for a clearly defined audience.
Guides, how-to books and other written books where the information itself is the main value.
Research before
you build.
Use Amazon search to understand what customers already see, how similar books are positioned and where your idea can be more specific.
Research Checklist
Search the exact topic a customer would type and review the first page of relevant results.
Idea Scorecard
Use these questions before spending time building the full book.
Build the pages.
Set them up right.
Your trim size is the final physical size of the book. KDP lists 6 × 9 inches as the most common U.S. paperback trim size, but the best size depends on the type of book.
Interior Setup
If any interior artwork reaches the page edge, the entire interior file should be set up for bleed and uploaded as a PDF.
Choose the finished width and height first. Changing it later can shift your layout and page count.
Keep important content inside the required margins. The inside margin increases as page count increases.
Use bleed when backgrounds, images or illustrations need to print all the way to the page edge.
Make the idea
obvious.
Your paperback cover file includes the back cover, spine and front cover. The exact full-cover dimensions depend on trim size, page count, paper and printing choices.
Cover Planning
Keep the title readable at thumbnail size and make the audience or purpose easy to understand quickly.
Prioritize the title, subtitle when needed and a visual direction that fits the reader and topic.
Spine width depends on the final book specifications. Do not guess the measurement.
Use concise copy that reinforces what the book is and who it is meant to help.
Help the right
reader get it.
Your listing should make the book’s topic, audience and value clear without relying on vague claims.
Book Description Framework
Use this as a starting structure, then rewrite it to match the actual book.
Listing Review
Before publishing, make sure every piece of the listing supports the same positioning.
Price the book.
Know what you earn.
Do not pick a price because another book uses it. Start with your printing cost, royalty tier, format and customer value, then compare your final price with relevant books.
Paperback Pricing
For standard Amazon paperback sales, KDP applies either a 50% or 60% royalty rate based on your list price and marketplace, then subtracts the printing cost.
| Marketplace | 50% Tier | 60% Tier Starts |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com | $9.98 USD or below | $9.99 USD |
| Amazon.ca | $13.98 CAD or below | $13.99 CAD |
| Amazon.co.uk | £7.98 or below | £7.99 |
| Amazon.com.au | $13.98 AUD or below | $13.99 AUD |
What Changes Printing Cost?
Your printing cost is not one flat amount. KDP calculates it from the specifications of your book and the marketplace where the order is placed.
Paperback Royalty Calculator
Choose the marketplace, enter your proposed list price and the printing cost KDP shows for your book.
Digital pricing
works differently.
KDP offers 35% and 70% eBook royalty options. Eligibility, territory and list-price requirements apply, and delivery costs can apply to the 70% option.
The available pricing range depends on the marketplace and other KDP requirements.
The 70% royalty option has specific pricing and territory requirements that must be met.
For eligible 70% sales, KDP calculates the royalty from the list price and subtracts applicable digital delivery costs.
Upload. Preview.
Then submit.
Prepare your metadata and files first so you are not trying to make important decisions while moving through the KDP setup screens.
Enter the title information, author details, description, publishing rights, keywords and categories accurately.
Choose print settings, upload the manuscript and cover, then use the previewer to check the finished book.
Review territories, marketplace pricing, printing costs and displayed royalty information before publishing.
Use AI to assist.
Keep the book useful.
Use AI to brainstorm, organize and rewrite. Review everything yourself for accuracy, originality, usefulness and fit before publishing.
Book Idea Generator
Competitor Research Organizer
Book Outline Builder
Amazon Description
Title + Subtitle Ideas
Quality Review
Finish the book.
Check everything.
Click the boxes as you complete each step. Your progress is saved in this browser.
Book Foundation
Ready to Publish
Build the book.
Publish the asset.
Return whenever you need research guidance, formatting reminders, listing support, pricing help, publishing steps or AI prompts.