Freeze the identity
Lock title, subtitle, contributors, series, language, description, audience, and publication history.
Free, sourced publishing reference
One checklist for the platforms your book has to satisfy.
Compare metadata, ISBN, manuscript, cover, category, and final preflight requirements for KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, Apple Books, Google Play Books, Kobo, B&N Press, and ACX.
No signup8 destinationsOfficial sources linked
The fast answer
Reuse the facts. Rebuild the files by format.
Your core book identity should stay consistent. The cover, content file, identifier, price, rights, and store settings must be checked for each format and destination.
Build by format
Prepare a validated EPUB, print interior, destination-sized print wrap, front-only ebook cover, or square audio cover.
Record every delivery
Keep the identifier, approved file version, destination, upload date, status, and live product link together.
Side-by-side matrix
The rules most likely to stop an upload
This is the working comparison. Open a platform below for its final checks and first-party sources.
| Platform | Content | Cover | Identifier | Categories and search |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon KDP | Ebook: EPUB, KPF, DOC/DOCX. Print: final manuscript, commonly PDF. | Ebook: 2560 x 1600 px recommended, RGB JPEG. Print: single PDF wrap. | Ebook ISBN optional. Separate ISBNs for paperback and hardcover, with stated low-content exceptions. | Up to 7 keyword fields and 3 categories. |
| IngramSpark | Ebook: EPUB. Print: separate complete interior PDF. | Ebook: front-only RGB JPG. Print: separate CMYK PDF wrap. | Unique ISBN for every distributed format. | 2 to 3 BISACs, up to 3 Thema subjects, at least 7 keywords. |
| Draft2Digital | Finished EPUB or supported manuscript conversion. Print uses final interior. | Front art for ebook. Generated or custom PDF/PNG full wrap for print. | Free D2D ISBN available but not reusable through another publishing service. | Ordered BISAC subjects and search terms shared across ebook and print. |
| Apple Books | EPUB that passes the latest EPUBCheck, plus sample. | RGB JPEG or PNG, at least 1400 px on the shorter axis. | Unique identifier in the EPUB package and Apple Books record. | Primary and optional extra categories, language, interest age, explicit-content status. |
| Google Play Books | EPUB or PDF; both are recommended. | JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or PDF. 640 px minimum and 7200 px maximum. | ISBN optional. Google can assign a GGKEY. | Title, genre, and identifier required; fuller metadata recommended. |
| Kobo Writing Life | EPUB, DOC/DOCX, ODT, or MOBI. | JPG or PNG, 300 DPI recommended, 5 MB or less. | Unique eISBN optional. Kobo assigns one if missing. | Use all 3 relevant subject categories. |
| B&N Press | Ebook: EPUB. Print: print-ready PDF or Word interior. | Separate print-ready PDF cover. Remove your own barcode. | Ebook ISBN optional. Unique ISBN for every print binding. | Complete category, audience, rights, release, and pricing fields. |
| ACX | Finished audiobook files that pass current ACX audio checks. | Square RGB image, at least 2400 x 2400 px, 8 MB or less. | Claim the source Kindle ebook with its ASIN. | Match title, series, author, narrator, category, language, copyright, and spoken credits. |
Platform help centers control if a current rule conflicts with this reference. Every platform section below links directly to those sources.
Destination checklists
Open only the platform you need
Each section keeps the three decisions that matter together: metadata, files, and identifiers.
Amazon KDPEbook · Paperback · Hardcover
Metadata
Cover and files must match title, subtitle, author, series, and ISBN. Use up to 7 keywords and 3 relevant categories.
Files
Use EPUB, KPF, or DOC/DOCX for ebooks. Ebook cover target: 2560 x 1600 px, RGB JPEG. Print cover: one PDF wrap.
ISBN
No ISBN required for Kindle ebooks. Paperback and hardcover need separate ISBNs, except stated low-content cases.
- Preview the ebook in Kindle Previewer.
- Generate the print template after trim, paper, ink, and page count are final.
- Allow 0.125 in cover bleed on top, bottom, and outside edges.
- Keep spine text off paperbacks below 79 pages.
- Confirm marketplace, reading age, rights, territories, and price.
- Check whether KDP Select exclusivity fits the distribution plan.
IngramSparkEbook · Paperback · Hardcover
Metadata
Use consistent contributors, 2 to 3 BISAC subjects, up to 3 Thema subjects, at least 7 keywords, and the correct audience code.
Files
Ebook: EPUB plus front-only RGB JPG. Print: separate interior PDF and CMYK cover PDF built from the exact template.
ISBN
Every distributed format needs its own ISBN, including paperback, hardcover, and ebook.
- Use single interior pages with embedded fonts and no crop marks.
- Use 0.125 in interior bleed on top, bottom, and outside edges.
- Keep cover text at least 0.25 in from trim or board edge.
- Leave the correct barcode area if IngramSpark will place it.
- Keep spine text off paperbacks below 48 pages.
- Confirm discount, returns, price, territories, and on-sale date.
Draft2DigitalEbook · Print
Metadata
Shared data includes cover, title, series, publisher, author, language, volume, search terms, and ordered BISAC subjects.
Files
Upload a finished EPUB when possible. A custom print cover can be one PDF or PNG wrap with front, spine, and back.
ISBN
D2D can assign a free ISBN, but that ISBN cannot be used to publish the edition through another service.
- Keep shared ebook and print metadata aligned.
- Put the most important BISAC subject first.
- Do not mix incompatible fiction, nonfiction, or audience subjects.
- Approve the ebook and print proofs.
- Avoid duplicate delivery to a store already controlled elsewhere.
- Review each partner's price and content restrictions.
Apple BooksEbook
Metadata
Complete title, author, description, category, language, interest age, explicit-content status, publisher, original date, price, and territories.
Files
Submit an EPUB that passes the latest EPUBCheck, plus cover and sample. Cover: RGB JPEG or PNG, 1400 px minimum on the shorter axis.
Identifier
The EPUB package needs a unique identifier tied to the correct Apple Books record and edition.
- Pass the latest EPUBCheck.
- Inspect the external marketing cover and internal cover.
- Set Interest Age for children's or teen books.
- Flag explicit content when applicable.
- Use the original publication date when the book appeared elsewhere first.
- Set price and clearances for every intended region.
Google Play BooksEbook
Metadata
Title, genre, and an identifier are required. Complete contributors, description, language, related formats, rights, price, and release date.
Files
Submit EPUB or PDF, with both recommended. Covers may be JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or PDF from 640 to 7200 px.
Identifier
An ISBN is optional. Google assigns a GGKEY when no ISBN is supplied.
- Include the complete book and front cover in the EPUB.
- Pass EpubCheck.
- Keep the PDF complete and unprotected.
- Use bookmarks in PDF when helpful.
- Connect identifiers for related print and ebook formats.
- Follow Google's identifier-based filename rules.
Kobo Writing LifeEbook
Metadata
Complete title, subtitle, series, authors, synopsis, publisher, imprint, dates, language, categories, and geographic rights.
Files
Upload EPUB, DOC/DOCX, ODT, or MOBI. Cover: JPG or PNG, 300 DPI recommended and 5 MB or less.
Identifier
A supplied eISBN must be unique to the ebook. Kobo assigns one when none is provided.
- Match title, subtitle, series, authors, synopsis, and cover.
- Use a validated EPUB for the most control.
- Select all 3 relevant subject categories.
- Keep original publication date separate from required release date.
- Set accurate geographic rights.
- Review Kobo Plus and OverDrive choices.
Official sourcesNew ebook setupCover tips
Barnes & Noble PressEbook · Paperback · Hardcover
Metadata
Keep title, author, binding, edition, identifier, imprint, description, category, rights, disclosure, price, and date aligned.
Files
Ebook: EPUB. Print: print-ready PDF or Word interior and a separate print-ready PDF cover. Remove your own barcode.
ISBN
Ebook ISBN optional. Every print binding needs a unique ISBN. A free B&N Press ISBN is platform-limited.
- Open and validate the EPUB.
- Build print files for the exact trim and binding.
- Let B&N Press add the cover barcode.
- Confirm imprint against the ISBN record.
- Complete the current AI-use disclosure when applicable.
- Verify title-transfer rules before moving an existing edition.
ACXAudiobook
Metadata
Match title, subtitle, author, series, narrator, description, category, language, copyright, chapters, and spoken credits.
Files
Audio must pass current ACX checks. Cover: square JPG, PNG, or TIF, at least 2400 x 2400 px, RGB, 8 MB or less.
Identifier
The eligible Kindle ebook must already be live on Amazon.com and is claimed using its ASIN.
- Confirm audio rights and account eligibility.
- Match cover, metadata, manuscript, and spoken credits.
- Run the ACX audio analysis check.
- Include a retail sample of 5 minutes or less.
- Keep pricing, URLs, barcodes, and store references off the cover.
- Finalize distribution and production approvals.
Before every upload
Eight checks that travel with the book
These are the fields Frontlist is built to keep attached to the title and edition, not scattered across portal tabs.
Title, subtitle, contributor, series, language, publisher, and edition.
Description, categories, keywords, audience, age, and contributor bio.
Unique ISBN or platform ID, owner, format, assignment date, and barcode.
Validated EPUB, internal cover, external cover, preview, and approved version.
Interior, trim, bleed, margins, fonts, page count, wrap, spine, and color.
Rights, credits, narrator, chapter files, retail sample, and square cover.
Rights, territories, date, price, returns, subscriptions, and exclusivity.
Destination, file version, submission date, status, product ID, and live URL.
Built for people and machines
Use the clean version your workflow needs.
The readable page, raw Markdown, and structured JSON carry the same last-verified date and official source links. No login or email gate.
Common questions
The parts authors usually have to untangle
Can I use one cover file for KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital?
Not for every format. Ebook covers are front-only RGB images. Print covers are full wraps sized from the final trim, paper, binding, and page count. Generate separate current print templates for KDP and IngramSpark.
Does each format need a different ISBN?
Each format or binding that uses an ISBN needs its own unique ISBN. Ebook ISBN rules vary by platform, and a platform-issued free ISBN may be limited to that service.
Can I upload the same EPUB everywhere?
A well-formed EPUB can be your master file, but validate and preview it at each destination. Conversion, metadata, and rendering behavior differ by store.
How current is this matrix?
The rules were checked against first-party sources on October 7, 2026. The platform's current help center controls if a rule changes. Every section links to its sources.
The spec finds the rule. Frontlist keeps the proof.
Organize my first titleKeep every approved file and destination with the right edition.
Start with one title free. No credit card required.