eBook Conversion
Expand Your Audience Beyond the Printed Page
If you’re self-publishing a book, offering an eBook version is a great way to expand your reach and make your book accessible to more readers.
However, converting your print book into an eBook isn’t as simple as just saving it as a PDF. There are specific formatting considerations, different file types, and choices to make about how your eBook will be displayed across various devices.
If you would rather focus on storytelling than the technical details of eBook conversion, PufferPrint’s expert formatting team can handle the entire eBook conversion process for you, ensuring your book is professionally formatted and ready for distribution across all major digital publishing platforms.
Reflowable vs. Fixed Layout eBooks
One of the most important decisions in eBook conversion is choosing between a reflowable and a fixed layout eBook. The style of your book—whether text-heavy novel or artwork-filled children’s book—will determine which format best suits your content and provides the best experience for your readers.
Reflowable eBook
Best for: Fiction, nonfiction, novels, memoirs, and any book that is primarily text-based.
A reflowable eBook automatically adjusts to fit different screen sizes and orientations. This format also allows readers to change the font size, line spacing, and layout to suit their preferences. This is the standard format for novels, memoirs, and pretty much all text-based books where readability is more important than preserving a precise layout.
- Advantages: Adapts to different devices, customizable for readers, and works well on all major eReaders.
- Disadvantages: Loses complex layouts, custom fonts, and precise formatting.
Fixed Layout eBook
Best for: Children’s books, graphic novels, comic books, cookbooks, and art books.
A fixed layout eBook preserves the original design and layout of the book, meaning text and artwork stay in place just like in a print book. This format is ideal for books with lots of photos and illustrations, such as children’s books, graphic novels, and cookbooks.
- Advantages: Retains original layout and custom typography. Ensures artwork is fully viewable regardless of device.
- Disadvantages: Less flexible for different screen sizes, larger file sizes, and not supported by some eReaders.
eBook File Formats and Compatibility
While there were once many competing eBook formats, the industry has largely standardized on EPUB. However, one major holdout, Amazon, still utilizes their own proprietary eBook file formats. Here’s a quick overview of the key file types you’ll encounter when publishing and distributing your eBook.
1. EPUB (.epub)
Supported by: Apple Books (iPad, iPhone), Kobo, Nook, Google Play Books, and most other eReaders.
EPUB is the most widely accepted eBook format and is supported by Apple Books, Kobo, Nook, Google Play Books, and many other eReaders. It works well for both reflowable and fixed-format eBooks, making it the preferred choice for most self-published authors outside of Amazon. Since it is an open standard, it offers excellent flexibility and compatibility across multiple digital publishing platforms.
2. AZW3 (.azw3)
Supported by: Amazon Kindle devices and apps
AZW3 (also referred to as KF8 or “Kindle Format 8” ) is one of Amazon’s proprietary eBook formats. When an EPUB file is uploaded to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Amazon converts it into AZW3 for distribution to Kindle devices and apps. If precise formatting control isn’t a priority, relying on KDP’s automated EPUB conversion process is a simple and effective way to publish your eBook on Kindle.
Because the AZW3 file format is proprietary to Amazon, non-Kindle eReaders are not able to read this file format.
3. KPF (.kpf)
Supported by: Amazon Kindle devices and apps
KPF is another one of Amazon’s proprietary formats for eBooks. This file type is created using Amazon’s free Kindle Create software. KPF allows authors to create both fixed layout and reflowable eBooks. Since it is optimized for Kindle devices, it ensures that books display correctly on different screen sizes within the Amazon ecosystem.
If you want greater control over your book’s formatting, we recommend using Kindle Create to manually convert your book and export it as a KPF file. This is especially important for fixed-layout eBooks, where precise formatting and design elements need to be preserved.
Just like AZW3 files, KPF is not used outside of the Amazon eco-system due to it’s proprietary nature, so you won’t be able to use it to distribute your books on digital publishing platform beyond Kindle.
Other File Formats
MOBI: MOBI was originally developed for Amazon Kindle devices, but it is now obsolete. While some older Kindles still support MOBI files, Amazon no longer accepts them for new eBook submissions. If you’re publishing for Kindle, it’s best to use either KPF or EPUB.
PDF: PDF files are are typically readable by most eReaders, but it is not an ideal format for eBooks. While PDFs preserve the original layout and design, they are not reflowable, and often don’t adapt well to the various screen sizes and setting of eReaders.
eBook Conversion with PufferPrint
PufferPrint’s expert formatting team takes the complexity out of eBook conversion.
We’ll start by determining whether a reflowable or fixed-layout format is best for your book. Then, we’ll convert it into a polished, professional eBook, delivering all the necessary file formats for seamless distribution across major digital platforms like Amazon, Apple, NOOK, Kobo, and more.
With our expertise and attention to detail, your eBook will look great and be fully compatible with all eReaders!
Note: PufferPrint’s eBook conversion service is only available to customers printing a physical book with us. Unfortunately, we are not currently able to offer it as a standalone service.
Get a Free Quote
Select your print option or schedule a 15-minute consult to get a FREE quote for your next project. We’ll work with our print team to give you an unbeatable price quote for a beautiful, bookstore-quality finished product.
Why Print with PufferPrint?
Read Our Reviews
See what other authors are saying about working with PufferPrint.
I worked with PufferPrint to publish my children’s board book and they did a fantastic job. I was really appreciative of their communicativeness and professionalism. I felt like they were truly working WITH me, and were invested in making my book as high of a quality as I wanted it to be. Will be recommending them and hopefully working with them again in the future!
Jes McCutchen
Lil’ Space Explorer
PufferPrint is the absolute best for self publishing. The Adventures of Yaya staff is very happy with the decision we made with going through this company. Customer service is second to none and the quality of our children’s book is beyond what we expected. We are looking forward to a long lasting relationship with Pufferprint because they are simply THE BEST!!
Yaya Dayiti
The Adventures of Yaya
PufferPrint guided me through the book printing process and addressed all of my questions promptly. The book looks amazing. I highly recommend PufferPrint!
Janet Beaulieu
Be Brave Little Pirate
I’m so glad I found PufferPrint and I would highly recommend their services. It was a joy to work with such dedicated, prompt and talented customer service. Such meticulous attention to detail, I’m completely satisfied with my book, and PufferPrint. Don’t hesitate, you won’t be disappointed – thanks PufferPrint!
Denise Mathus
Big Potato and Small Fry
