Step-by-Step Guide: How to Upload Your LaTeX Book & Wraparound Cover to Amazon KDP

Overview: The KDP Paperback Content Screen

When publishing a paperback on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), the second tab—Paperback Content—is where you upload your interior and cover files.

Amazon requires two separate files:

1. The Interior Manuscript PDF (main.pdf): All front matter, body chapters, and back matter compiled to your exact trim size without bleed.
2. The Full-Bleed Wraparound Cover PDF (cover.pdf): A single unified file containing the back cover, spine, and front cover plus $0.125\text{ in}$ ($3.175\text{ mm}$) bleed on all outer edges.

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Step 1: Configure Your Print Options

Before uploading any files, you must configure Amazon's print settings to match your LaTeX template's geometry.

1. Ink and Paper Type:
   • For Self-Help, Fiction, Narrative Non-Fiction, and Memoirs: Select Black and white interior with cream paper (50# Cream).
   • For Technical manuals, Workbooks, or Journals: Select Black and white interior with white paper.
2. Trim Size:
   • Click Select a different size to pick your exact trim:
     • 5.06" × 7.81" (12.85 × 19.84 cm) — UK B-Format (Verve Modern Bestseller).
     • 5.5" × 8.25" (13.97 × 20.96 cm) — Standard US Trade Paperback (Commercial Playbook & Penguin Folio).
     • 6" × 9" (15.24 × 22.86 cm) — Standard Treatise & Academic Trim.
3. Bleed Settings:
   • Select No Bleed. (Your interior pages do not bleed off the edge; only the cover file includes bleed).
4. Paperback Cover Finish:
   • Matte: Soft, velvety, non-reflective finish (recommended for literary, self-help, and modern nonfiction).
   • Glossy: High-shine, vibrant contrast (popular for commercial business playbooks and thrillers).

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Step 2: Upload Your Manuscript Interior (main.pdf)

1. Click Upload paperback manuscript.
2. Select your compiled main.pdf from BookTemplatesPro.
3. Amazon will process the file, extract the exact page count, and verify that the embedded fonts and MediaBox match the chosen trim size.
4. You will see a green confirmation badge: Manuscript "main.pdf" uploaded successfully!

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Step 3: Upload Your Wraparound Cover (cover.pdf)

Under the Book Cover section:

1. Select the radio button: Upload a cover you already have (print-ready PDF only).
2. Click Upload your cover file and select your compiled cover.pdf.
3. Barcode Checkbox:
   • If you used our LaTeX cover template with an integrated vector barcode, check: "Yes, my cover has a barcode".
   • If your cover does not include a barcode, leave it unchecked and Amazon will automatically print a standard EAN barcode in the lower right area of your back cover.

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Step 4: Launch the KDP Print Previewer

1. Click Launch Previewer.
2. Amazon's automated preflight raster engine will check:
   • Gutter Clearance: Ensuring text does not cross the minimum binding threshold.
   • Spine Center Alignment: Ensuring the spine title is centered within the calculated fold lines.
   • Transparency & Color Profiles: Ensuring zero transparency traps.
3. If using BookTemplatesPro templates, you will receive zero quality warnings. Click Approve in the bottom right corner to lock in your print files.