Choosing trim size, margins and the KDP gutter in Print Settings
The Print Settings tab sets the size, binding and margins of the printed book. You'll find it in Pendrilo Formatter, or in Studio on the Format workspace. The ebook adapts to each reader's screen, so these settings affect only the print PDF.
Choose a format
Under Format, pick one of these:
- Paperback or Hardcover. KDP prints paperbacks from 24 to 828 pages, and case-laminate hardcovers from 75 to 550 pages. Hardcovers get wider margins to allow for the binding.
- Large print. This uses 16-point type, roomier lines, ragged-right text and no hyphenation.
Pick a trim size
The trim size is the finished size of each page.
- Common sizes appear as buttons. For paperbacks, these are 5 × 8, 5.25 × 8, 5.5 × 8.5, 6 × 9, 6.14 × 9.21, 7 × 10 and 8.5 × 11 inches. For hardcovers, they are 5.5 × 8.5, 6 × 9, 6.14 × 9.21, 7 × 10 and 8.25 × 11 inches. For most novels, 6 × 9 and 5.5 × 8.5 are the usual choices.
- Other sizes opens a longer list of 28 sizes, grouped as popular, more US sizes, mass market, pocket, novel and large format. Sizes KDP doesn't offer are marked "not a KDP size". Printers such as IngramSpark and Lulu offer many of them.
- Custom is for a size of your own. Type it in the Custom box in inches (for example, 5.5x8) or millimetres (for example, 140x210mm), then press Enter.
If you plan to upload to KDP, choose a size KDP offers. Otherwise, the Checks list will flag it.
Set the margins
Under Margins, set the four values: Top, Bottom, Outside edge and Inside (gutter). Click Use recommended margins to fill them in for your trim size.
Switching between paperback, hardcover and large print resets the margins to the recommended values for that format. Check them again after you switch.
The KDP gutter
The gutter is the inside margin, next to the spine. Amazon KDP needs it to be wider in thicker books.
Widen the inside margin to meet Amazon KDP's rules is ticked when you start, so Pendrilo sets the gutter from your page count. The minimums are:
- Up to 150 pages: 0.375 inches
- 151 to 300 pages: 0.5 inches
- 301 to 500 pages: 0.625 inches
- 501 to 700 pages: 0.75 inches
- More than 700 pages: 0.875 inches
A note under the margins says what KDP needs at your page count, and whether your book meets it. If you untick the box and set the gutter yourself, read that note after each change.
Pages
Under Pages, choose the front matter and numbering for the print book:
- Half title page prints just the title before the title page. It's on at first.
- Table of contents adds a contents page to the print book. It's off at first. The ebook always has its own table of contents.
- Start every chapter on a right-hand page does what it says.
- Number the contents and foreword pages i, ii, iii starts Chapter One again at page 1, as most published books do.
Bleed
You only need bleed if pictures run off the edge of the page. Ask your printer how much they need, then choose one under Bleed:
- No bleed
- KDP, IngramSpark, Lulu (0.125 in)
- Bookvault, Tolino (3 mm)
- BoD, tredition (5 mm)
With bleed, pages are printed slightly larger and then trimmed, so artwork can reach the edge. Use the same bleed setting when you upload to your printer.
Check and generate
The status bar shows Checks. Click it to see anything KDP or a printer would flag, such as a size KDP doesn't offer. Fix the items marked FIX before you publish.
When the settings are right, click Generate Book. The print PDF is made at your trim size, with bleed if you chose it, and its fonts are embedded.