Best PDF settings

krausj · 11-09-2013, 06:46 PM

I want to offer my eBook as a PDF as well, for those who don't have ereaders. What are the best settings to save my PDF as to be read on Digital Editions, or any other non eReader programs?

eschwartz · 11-10-2013, 02:07 AM

Adobe Digital Editions can read ePubs.

meeera · 11-10-2013, 02:20 AM

Yes, you don't need an ereader to read epubs. There are multiple epub reader apps available for various desktop OSes, for tablets, for phones.

PDFs might be useful for creating very complex fixed layouts (it sounds like this is not an issue for you), or for producing a document which will print out in a completely predictable, controllable manner.

eschwartz · 11-10-2013, 02:33 AM

To be fair, it (PDF) also means you can read without installing anything, assuming everyone's computer already has a PDF reader, a reasonable assumption.

Not that that is a good excuse for using an inferior format.

Jellby · 11-10-2013, 03:41 AM

Page size smaller than letter/A4, closer to a real book's size, maybe A5/B5, or even ebook-screen size: 12cm×9cm. Minimal margins: 1-5 mm. Font size according to the available space: ~60 characters per line.

That is if you want a PDF to read on screen. If it's for printing, the settings will be different.

mrmikel · 11-10-2013, 07:14 AM

The question is a bit like the answer to the question, "How long should a man's legs be? "Long enough to reach the ground."

As Jelby says for printing on a standard size page, whatever is standard whereever you are, set it to that size. If you have a reader in mind, that size. PDF's are pretty much meant to be displayed at the size for which you lay them out.

That is their advantage and their shortcoming. A full size page display PDF on an ereader will be mice type, but laid out for an ereader screen, very nice. Feedbooks, unless things have changed, has a number of ebooks in pdf, sized for ereaders which look fine.

Many ereaders read PDFs, so if you are going to make them that size, it seems it would just duplicate things.

11-09-2013, 06:46 PM	#1
krausj Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2013 Device: ipad	Best PDF settings I want to offer my eBook as a PDF as well, for those who don't have ereaders. What are the best settings to save my PDF as to be read on Digital Editions, or any other non eReader programs?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Question about PDF conversion settings?	Dullahir	Calibre	9	04-30-2013 06:32 AM
PDF input settings	omega17	Conversion	1	04-08-2011 02:49 PM
PDF settings for PRS-650	nikev	Sony Reader	9	12-05-2010 03:32 PM
PRS-350 Keeping PDF Settings	Kralik	Sony Reader	5	11-28-2010 02:28 PM
DX PDF settings	curstpriest	Amazon Kindle	0	10-23-2010 08:25 PM

11-10-2013, 02:07 AM	#2
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Adobe Digital Editions can read ePubs.

11-10-2013, 02:20 AM	#3
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,814 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	Yes, you don't need an ereader to read epubs. There are multiple epub reader apps available for various desktop OSes, for tablets, for phones. PDFs might be useful for creating very complex fixed layouts (it sounds like this is not an issue for you), or for producing a document which will print out in a completely predictable, controllable manner.

11-10-2013, 02:33 AM	#4
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	To be fair, it (PDF) also means you can read without installing anything, assuming everyone's computer already has a PDF reader, a reasonable assumption. Not that that is a good excuse for using an inferior format.

11-10-2013, 03:41 AM	#5
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,549 Karma: 19500001 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	Page size smaller than letter/A4, closer to a real book's size, maybe A5/B5, or even ebook-screen size: 12cm×9cm. Minimal margins: 1-5 mm. Font size according to the available space: ~60 characters per line. That is if you want a PDF to read on screen. If it's for printing, the settings will be different.

11-10-2013, 07:14 AM	#6
mrmikel Color me gone Posts: 2,089 Karma: 1445295 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Oregon Coast Device: PRS-300	The question is a bit like the answer to the question, "How long should a man's legs be? "Long enough to reach the ground." As Jelby says for printing on a standard size page, whatever is standard whereever you are, set it to that size. If you have a reader in mind, that size. PDF's are pretty much meant to be displayed at the size for which you lay them out. That is their advantage and their shortcoming. A full size page display PDF on an ereader will be mice type, but laid out for an ereader screen, very nice. Feedbooks, unless things have changed, has a number of ebooks in pdf, sized for ereaders which look fine. Many ereaders read PDFs, so if you are going to make them that size, it seems it would just duplicate things.

Advert

Advert