Amazon's new cover image requirements

sundog · 08-08-2012, 11:41 PM

So, I thought I was all ready to upload my first .mobi through KDP for sale in the Kindle store. It has an embedded cover at 600x800, as recommended. During the upload process I found that Amazon's cover image requirements recently changed (back in April). Apparently, Amazon now relies on a single cover image file that is uploaded during this process and that serves as both the web bookshelf image and is automatically compressed and embedded into your ebook content file as part of the conversion process. They now require the image to be a minimum of 1000 px in the long dimension, and recommend 2500 px for better quality.

My questions are:
Since Amazon says they will, without giving any choice to the publisher, compress and embed the uploaded file into the ebook to serve as the embedded cover image, do I now need to go back and remove the cover image I had embedded?

Also, since they're requiring this much larger image file to be uploaded and will embed it into the ebook during conversion, won't this increase the download delivery cost for sales through Amazon, while taking away the publisher's control over the file size?

AThirstyMind · 08-09-2012, 09:03 AM

I believe you have the option of using the cover that you embed in your metadata or allowing Amazon to compress your big honkin' display cover to use as your book cover. The last time I looked, this choice box was right below the 'upload cover' on your dashboard. But who can keep up on Amazon. There are new display cover requirements on iBooks too.

AnemicOak · 08-09-2012, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AThirstyMind

There are new display cover requirements on iBooks too.

Also for Smashwords.

With all the higher rez devices many with bigger screens it makes some sense to require something larger than 600x800.

sundog · 08-09-2012, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AThirstyMind

I believe you have the option of using the cover that you embed in your metadata or allowing Amazon to compress your big honkin' display cover to use as your book cover. The last time I looked, this choice box was right below the 'upload cover' on your dashboard. But who can keep up on Amazon. There are new display cover requirements on iBooks too.

The option apparently no longer exists and replacement of your embedded cover is automatic upon conversion. What baffles me then is their recommendation to provide a larger file at 1.6 height:width ratio. When I did this and it replaced my embedded cover image, it did not fill the page correctly when I previewed it. So I guess I'll go back and upload a new larger sized cover image that has the same 1.33 ratio to match the embedded 600x800 one, and hopefully all will be good after their replacement.

JSWolf · 08-09-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sundog

The option apparently no longer exists and replacement of your embedded cover is automatic upon conversion. What baffles me then is their recommendation to provide a larger file at 1.6 height:width ratio. When I did this and it replaced my embedded cover image, it did not fill the page correctly when I previewed it. So I guess I'll go back and upload a new larger sized cover image that has the same 1.33 ratio to match the embedded 600x800 one, and hopefully all will be good after their replacement.

You don't have to fill the screen of the Kindle with the cover image. What happens when people do this is that they end up stretching the cover so it's aspect ratio is incorrect. Please leave your cover such that it is aspect ratio correct and ignore the fact that it may not fully fit the Kindle screen.

Which would you prefer, the screen of the Kindle to be filled with an odd looking cover image or the cover image leaving blank space on the left/right side of the Kindle screen and the cover to look correct/normal? When you look at a paper book, do you see the cover image stretched to fill the space? No, you don't because the publisher makes sure the cover image it aspect ratio correct. The issue is that the Kindle screen is not the same aspect as most paper books and it is not the same aspect as most tablets (Kindle Fire). So just let the cover not fill (width wise) and look correct.

sundog · 08-09-2012, 02:16 PM

I guess we've got two threads going here covering the same topic:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=185164

I'm sorry folks, it was late and I was frustrated.

In any case, the images don't need to be stretched as I can edit my original cover art source to do whatever I want. Yes, it's a hassle, but it would be worth it if I could take advantage of it, which Amazon no longer allows

08-08-2012, 11:41 PM	#1
sundog Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: Kindle	Amazon's new cover image requirements So, I thought I was all ready to upload my first .mobi through KDP for sale in the Kindle store. It has an embedded cover at 600x800, as recommended. During the upload process I found that Amazon's cover image requirements recently changed (back in April). Apparently, Amazon now relies on a single cover image file that is uploaded during this process and that serves as both the web bookshelf image and is automatically compressed and embedded into your ebook content file as part of the conversion process. They now require the image to be a minimum of 1000 px in the long dimension, and recommend 2500 px for better quality. My questions are: Since Amazon says they will, without giving any choice to the publisher, compress and embed the uploaded file into the ebook to serve as the embedded cover image, do I now need to go back and remove the cover image I had embedded? Also, since they're requiring this much larger image file to be uploaded and will embed it into the ebook during conversion, won't this increase the download delivery cost for sales through Amazon, while taking away the publisher's control over the file size?

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08-09-2012, 09:03 AM	#2
AThirstyMind A Thirsty Mind Posts: 92 Karma: 2546 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Lubec, Maine Device: Kindle Fire, iPad, iPhone	I believe you have the option of using the cover that you embed in your metadata or allowing Amazon to compress your big honkin' display cover to use as your book cover. The last time I looked, this choice box was right below the 'upload cover' on your dashboard. But who can keep up on Amazon. There are new display cover requirements on iBooks too.

08-09-2012, 02:16 PM	#6
sundog Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: Kindle	I guess we've got two threads going here covering the same topic: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=185164 I'm sorry folks, it was late and I was frustrated. In any case, the images don't need to be stretched as I can edit my original cover art source to do whatever I want. Yes, it's a hassle, but it would be worth it if I could take advantage of it, which Amazon no longer allows

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