Publishing an Ebook vs. Paperback on KDP: FAQs

One of the most common questions I hear from authors preparing to self-publish is simple: Should I publish an ebook, a paperback, or both?

If you’re planning to publish through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), the good news is that the platform makes both formats accessible to independent authors.

But the two formats aren’t identical. The design, formatting, and even the publishing process have a few key differences that can surprise writers the first time they encounter them.

If you’re preparing your book for publication, here are some of the most common questions authors ask about ebooks versus paperbacks on KDP.

How does the appearance differ between ebooks and paperbacks?

One of the biggest differences between ebooks and paperbacks lies in how the text appears on the page.

With ebooks, the layout is flexible. Kindle books are designed to be “reflowable,” which means the text adjusts depending on the reader’s device and preferences.

A reader can enlarge the font, change the font style, or adjust the spacing, and the text will rearrange itself accordingly. What looks one way on a Kindle Paperwhite might look slightly different on a phone or tablet.

Because of this flexibility, authors have less control over the precise visual appearance of each page. Fonts are typically chosen by the reader’s device rather than the author, and page numbers don’t function the same way they do in print. Graphics and images can certainly be included in ebooks, but they need to be formatted carefully so they display well across different screen sizes.

Paperbacks, on the other hand, work quite differently. A printed book has a fixed layout, which means every element of the page stays exactly where the designer places it. The font, margins, line spacing, and page numbers are all permanent. Once the book is printed, the reader sees the pages exactly as they were designed.

This level of control allows for more intentional typography and visual design, but it also means the formatting must be precise before uploading the file to KDP.

On that note…what are Print Replica ebooks, and when should I use one?

Sometimes, though, the flexibility with reflowable documents creates problems. If your book includes complex formatting, charts, worksheets, or carefully designed page layouts, a standard Kindle format may distort the design. This is where Print Replica comes in.

A Print Replica ebook preserves the exact layout of your print book. In other words, every page appears digitally exactly the way it was designed for print. Fonts, graphics, margins, and page structure remain fixed rather than reflowing.

This format works particularly well for books such as:

·      Workbooks or guided journals

·      Textbooks or educational materials

·      Cookbooks

·      Highly visual nonfiction

·      Books with lots of charts, tables, or illustrations

However, Print Replica does come with a few tradeoffs. Because the layout is fixed, readers typically cannot change the font size or text style, and the reading experience may be less flexible on smaller screens.

For most novels and memoirs, the traditional reflowable Kindle format is still the best choice. But if your book relies heavily on visual design or structured page layouts, Print Replica can be a helpful alternative.

Are the formatting files the same?

The short answer is no.

For ebooks, KDP typically accepts files such as EPUB or DOCX. These formats allow the text to convert smoothly into Kindle’s digital system. Because the book will be reflowable, ebook formatting tends to work best when it is clean and simple. Proper heading styles, consistent chapter formatting, and a clickable table of contents help ensure the conversion process goes smoothly.

Paperbacks require a different approach. The interior file is usually uploaded as a print-ready PDF, and that file must match the book’s trim size exactly. Margins, gutters, and page numbers must all be set correctly to prevent text from being cut off during printing. Fonts also need to be embedded so they appear correctly when the book is produced.

Do ebooks and paperbacks have different pricing and royalties?

 They do, and this is another area where authors often have questions.

With ebooks, KDP offers two primary royalty structures: 35 percent or 70 percent. The higher royalty option applies when the ebook falls within a certain pricing range, usually between $2.99 and $9.99. Amazon also deducts a small delivery fee based on the ebook’s file size.

Paperbacks follow a different model. Because Amazon has to physically print the book, the company subtracts the printing cost from the list price before calculating royalties. Authors receive 60 percent of the remaining amount after printing costs are removed.

For this reason, paperbacks are usually priced higher than ebooks.

In other words, paperback formatting functions much more like traditional book design and typesetting.

Can you update a book after it’s published?

 Thankfully, yes.

Ebooks are especially flexible in this regard. If you notice a typo, decide to update your back matter, or make small formatting improvements, you can upload a revised file through your KDP dashboard. Future buyers will receive the updated version of the book.

Paperbacks can also be updated, but the changes apply only to future copies. Once a physical book has been printed and shipped, that version cannot be altered. However, you can upload revised files so that all newly printed copies include the corrections.

Many authors eventually release updated editions of their books as they refine the content or design.

Should you publish an ebook, a paperback, or both?

For most independent authors, the answer is simple: both formats offer valuable opportunities.

Ebooks are accessible worldwide, easy to distribute, and relatively quick to produce. Paperbacks provide the tactile experience many readers still love, and they also allow authors to sell books at events, sign copies, and create a more traditional bookshelf presence.

Each format serves a slightly different audience, and publishing both gives your book the widest reach.

Need help publishing your paperback or ebook?

Publishing through KDP can be an incredibly empowering step for authors. At the same time, many writers discover that the technical side of formatting, design, and uploading files can feel overwhelming—especially the first time through.

Through Inkling Creative Strategies, I help authors with services such as editing, book layout and typesetting, Kindle publishing assistance, and more. My goal is to help writers move from feeling uncertain about the publishing process to becoming confident, prepared authors ready to share their work with readers. 

If you’re preparing to publish your book, or even just beginning to explore the possibility, I’d love to help you take the next step.

Click here to schedule a free consultation and learn more.