KDP publishing guide
One Book Project, Three Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, and Kindle
Learn how one reviewed KDP Maker project can be prepared as paperback, hardcover, or fixed-layout Kindle eBook files, and what to check for each.
Published by KDP Maker
Last reviewed: October 17, 2026. Verify requirements in Amazon KDP before publishing.
One project, three format-specific exports
KDP Maker lets you create and review one book project, then prepare it as a paperback, hardcover, or fixed-layout Kindle eBook. This means three output options from one project, not three separate books generated in one step. Each export has different files and requirements, so review each edition separately.
Start with the book, not the file type
Plan the coloring-book or diary concept, review the pages, and refine the cover direction first. Decide which formats make sense for the readers you have in mind. If you are new to the workflow, start with how KDP Maker works.
Paperback: a print interior and full-wrap cover
A paperback package contains a print interior PDF and a separate, single-page cover wrap with the back, spine, and front. The cover depends on the final page count and print settings. Confirm trim, paper, ink, bleed, and margins with the current KDP specifications. Use the print-file checklist and interior and cover checker as part of your review.
Hardcover: print files with a case-wrap cover
A hardcover package uses a case-wrap cover prepared for the selected hardcover specifications rather than a paperback full wrap. Hardcover trim sizes and print options are not identical to paperback options. Check that the book's page count, trim, and print configuration are supported in your KDP account, then inspect the cover and interior for that edition.
Kindle eBook: fixed-layout EPUB and cover image
The Kindle option prepares a fixed-layout EPUB and a separate cover image. Fixed layout preserves a page-based design, so inspect text and artwork at different screen sizes and confirm that the reading experience suits the book. Read the fixed-layout Kindle review guide for checks specific to digital editions.
Treat each edition as its own final review
A shared project helps keep the idea and content together, but an export is not an upload or a publishing approval. Check print dimensions and cover geometry for print formats; check page display and the separate cover image for Kindle. You remain responsible for book details, rights, current disclosures, upload, and final review in your KDP account.
To choose which editions fit your project, compare paperback, hardcover, and Kindle eBook formats. Amazon's available requirements and options can change, so verify them before publishing.