🖨️ KDP & IngramSpark problems

KDP says my cover dimensions are wrong. What should I check?

Nine times out of ten it's the page count driving the spine. Check the page count, the printer profile, and the trim size all match your interior.

KDP says text is outside the safe area. What does that mean?

Something important (title, spine text, back-cover text) sits too close to an edge or fold, where the trim could shave it. Move it inward.

IngramSpark rejected my PDF. What should I check?

Confirm you used the IngramSpark profile (not KDP), the trim and page count match, and you uploaded the cover and interior to the right slots.

My printed colors look different from the screen.

Normal. Screens glow in RGB; print is ink (CMYK) and looks a bit darker and less vivid. Order a proof to judge real color, and avoid super-bright shades.

Do I still need to order a physical proof copy?

Yes — strongly recommended before you publish. A proof is the only way to see real color, paper, and trim, and to catch problems the screen hides.

KDP added a blank page to my interior. Why?

Printed books need an even page count, and chapters/sections start on the right. A blank page is normal book layout, not an error.

My spine shifted in the KDP previewer. Is the file wrong?

Usually it means the spine width no longer matches the page count — re-check your page count and re-export the cover. A small wrap tolerance is normal.

My printed book has more pages than expected.

Real book typography uses more pages than your Word document — larger type on a smaller page, chapter openers, and blank pages all add up. It's normal.

Should I approve the digital preview without ordering a proof?

The online previewer catches layout and margin problems, but not print color or paper feel. For a first book, order a physical proof before you approve.