1. Understanding ePub and .mobi ebooks.
There is a huge difference when we are creating a PDF or an ePub/.mobi ebook.
The PDF is a WYSIWYG ebook, a fixed page size format. However and ePub or .mobi ebooks are reflowable:
A reflowable document is a type of electronic document (ebook) that can adapt its presentation to the output device. Typical prepress or fixed page size output formats like PostScript or PDF are not reflowable during the actual printing process because the page is not resized.
Therefore the formatting of the source content for your ebook needs to be extremely simple:
>>No headers or footers, text wrapped around an image, page background images, locked pages, back cover page, fixed or free floating elements, text in double columns or any kind of script like a 'Call To Action' element.<<
>> Import the Word/Content Source file in Letter or A4 paper size and in portrait orientation<<
>> DO NOT use dynamic templates if you are planning to publish your ebook on Kindle <<
We have created a dedicated template for Kindle / ePub ebooks.
Please use ONLY this template:
Simple text and images. This tutorial sums up the ideal formatting, not only for ePub or .mobi ebooks, but for any ebook that our users want to create in Designrr:
Tip: If you format your source content as above explained, then you can create ebooks in all three formats without having to modify a single line.
2. Importing the Source Content
On average you will import the content for the ebook form a Word docx or Google doc file.
Tip: For users using the draft section in Designrr to create the ebook. Create one draft per chapter and import one draft at a time.
3. Keep The ebook Structure Simple
Observe the screenshot below. All the content is perfectly ordered, one element on top of each other. That is the correct formatting. H2s and H3s for the titles and sub-titles, paragraphs and images.
Tip 1: When adding images, add them resized to the correct page size. Avoid using a 5000 pixel wide image if the correct image proportion is going to be 500 pixels/width. That will only add unnecessary weight (in size) to the ebook. Images can be easily resized using the Designrr built in editor.
Tip 2: If you are planning on creating an ePub/.mobi ebook, select a clean, one column template. Do not spend time formatting headers and footers, fonts and colors. All that is removed when you generate the ebook in those formats.
4. Generating the ebook
Once your project is ready is time to generate/publish the ebook. To do that click on the 'Publish' button found on the lower part of the left sidebar.
Select the format you want: in this case Kindle EPUB.
The first time you generate the ePub file, you will get the message below. Is perfectly normal, the ePub engine is removing all the unnecessary tags. Click on 'OK'.
Depending on the length of the content it will take from a few seconds to a few minutes. Once the ePub file is ready, click on the upper button. The ePub file will download to your hard disk.
5. Generating the Cover Image
To generate the cover image of your ebook you simply need to click on the second button found in the SUCCESS pop up.
The cover page will open in a new tab. Right click on it to download the image file to your computer.
6. Uploading your Files to Amazon KDP
To publish your ebook in Amazon, you need to have your Amazon account created and approved. For help, check out this tutorial:
You will need to upload the ebook file we created - either the .mobi or the epub file - and the 3D cover image of the ebook.
Kindle Previewer
Want to see how your eBook will look before you publish it? Use Kindle Previewer
7. FAQ
Where is the table of contents?
The table of contents of your reflowable ebook will be automatically created by using the H2 and H3 elements of your ebook, However only the H2 titles will show in the Kindle reader.
Please read this tutorial carefully to understand how the table of contents work:
NEW: You can now add the table of contents to the first page of your Kindle ebook.