Self-Publishing & KDP
KDP Proof Copies: A Paperback Review Checklist Before Publishing
Review your KDP proof copy before publishing: compare proof and author copies, check the cover and interior, and turn review notes into corrected files.
Direct answer: Use a KDP proof copy to inspect your paperback in person before launch: read the interior, check the cover and spine, record defects, and revise the source files. Amazon describes proofs as test copies with a “Not for Resale” watermark and a unique barcode without an ISBN. Author copies represent your live book instead. Read Amazon’s official proof and author copy guidance.
KDP proof copies vs author copies
A finished PDF can look comfortable on a large monitor while the printed book feels cramped or difficult to read. Holding the book lets you judge the reading experience at its actual size. This guide concentrates on that physical inspection, rather than repeating the numerical rules in our KDP margins and bleed guide or paperback cover size guide.
| Copy type | Purpose | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Proof copy | Test the book before publication | Marked “Not for Resale” |
| Author copy | Obtain copies of your live book at print cost | Can be resold or given away; excludes unpublished changes |
Amazon says ordering a proof is optional. Our recommendation is to allow time for a physical review, particularly when typography, illustrations, or cover placement matter to your launch. Set a review deadline before announcing a release date, and keep some space in the schedule for corrections.
How to request a KDP proof copy
Amazon’s official proof-order instructions say to approve the book in Print Previewer first. For a Draft paperback or hardcover, open its Bookshelf ellipsis menu, choose Request Printed Proofs, select the quantity and marketplace for your delivery destination, and submit the request. The limit is five proofs per order.
Amazon says the checkout email arrives within four hours; complete the purchase within 24 hours of receiving it. Proof and author orders do not qualify for free or Prime shipping. Check current destination support and checkout costs on Amazon rather than assuming the marketplace you usually shop from will deliver your proof.
For your own records, save the exact interior PDF, cover file, and print choices used for this request. A simple folder labelled with the revision date helps prevent confusing a proof of an older layout with your latest export.
The physical proof review checklist
The following is Cebooker’s suggested editorial workflow, not an additional Amazon acceptance requirement. Review in separate passes so that reading for content does not distract you from checking layout. Have the submitted PDF, a pencil, and a defect log nearby.
1. Inspect the closed book and cover
Read the title, subtitle, and author name aloud from the front, spine, and back. Look for spelling inconsistencies, uneven spacing, awkward line breaks, and small text that is difficult to read. Check whether the design still communicates the book’s genre when viewed at arm’s length.
Inspect the spine in relation to both covers. Examine the edges for important details that feel too close to the trim. Check the back-cover description for comfortable contrast. Separate the expected proof markings from problems in your artwork; do not redesign around a temporary proof watermark.
2. Read the opening pages in sequence
Start at the first printed page and move through the title, copyright, dedication, contents, and first chapter. Confirm that nothing is missing or duplicated. Compare contents entries with the actual chapter names and printed page numbers. Check that the opening establishes a clear hierarchy rather than placing every heading at the same visual weight.
3. Check the reading comfort of the interior
Read a few uninterrupted pages while holding the book naturally. Is the body text comfortable without straining? Does the gutter leave enough room to read without forcing the binding flat? Look at paragraph spacing, indents, dialogue, italics, and scene breaks. A layout can be technically tidy yet tiring during a sustained reading session.
Then scan the rest of the book for changes in heading size, unexpected gaps, inconsistent running headers, and page numbers that collide with other content. Mark the location of each issue before moving on. For technical measurements, use our margin and bleed reference alongside your source file.
4. Inspect images, tables, and special pages
Check each illustration at printed size. Can a reader distinguish the details that carry meaning? Are captions readable and attached to the right image? Look closely at diagrams, grayscale photographs, footnotes, and tables rather than relying on the appearance of ordinary text pages.
For a workbook, recipe book, or reference title, test the page’s intended task. Try following an instruction, finding a reference, or writing in the allocated space. Ask a second reader to try a representative page without coaching. This often reveals practical problems that a designer already familiar with the manuscript misses.
5. Check the ending and editorial details
Review acknowledgements, notes, bibliography, author biography, and other back matter. Check printed web addresses by typing them into a browser. Confirm that credits and captions refer to the right material. Give the last page the same attention as the first: it should feel deliberate, without stray text or unexplained empty space.
Turn proof notes into corrected files
- Inspect the printed copy
- Log page and issue
- Fix and export the source
- Review the revised version
Write useful notes: “Page 42, table heading is too faint” is actionable; “the book looks wrong” is not. Add a photo where it helps show a physical issue, and record whether the same problem appears in the submitted PDF. Keep content corrections, design changes, and suspected production defects in separate columns of your log.
Correct the editable source, export a fresh file, and inspect the changed pages plus their neighbours. A text correction can shift later page breaks. If the final page count changes, revisit the cover dimensions using the cover template workflow. Consider another physical proof after substantial layout or cover changes.
For author copies after an update, Amazon warns that unpublished changes are excluded and older printed inventory may still be supplied. Consult its ordering guidance before treating a received copy as definitive evidence of the newest upload.
If you also publish a Kindle edition, review its separate file with our Kindle Previewer 4 workflow. A printed proof cannot demonstrate how a reflowable ebook behaves across reading settings.
Need help turning proof notes into a polished paperback?
Cebooker’s paperback formatting and cover design service can help prepare a consistent interior and matching cover. Send your manuscript, print specifications, and review notes so we can discuss the work required.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to order a KDP proof before publishing?
No. Amazon makes it optional. We recommend a physical review when you want to evaluate reading comfort and cover presentation before launch.
Can I sell a KDP proof copy?
Proofs carry a “Not for Resale” watermark. Amazon permits resale or gifting of author copies, which are a different copy type.
Does approving Print Previewer mean the book needs no further checks?
We recommend a separate editorial pass. Inspect typography, contents references, images, and the overall reading experience in the printed proof.
What should I send my formatter after reviewing a proof?
Send a page-specific defect log, useful photos, the exact submitted files, and your intended print choices. Identify which requests are corrections and which change the design.
Should I proof the ebook separately?
Yes. Use a dedicated ebook review workflow for navigation, links, and reading settings. See our ebook vs paperback formatting guide for the different deliverables.
Official sources, checked October 2, 2026: Amazon KDP: Proof and Author Copies; Amazon KDP: How to order a proof or author copy; Amazon KDP: Create a Book.