Everything You Need to Know About ePUB Conversion Services

If you’ve been researching your options for self-publishing your book online, you’ve likely come across the term ePUB. ePUB stands for “electronic publication” and is a widely used eBook format that’s designed to keep reading experiences consistent and authentic across different eBook devices. Unlike static formats like PDF, ePUB files adjust to easily fit different screen orientations and sizes, making them easier and more enjoyable to read.

Benefits of ePUB format compared to other formats

ePUB offers a number of benefits compared to other types of eBook formats, including PDF.

Reflowable content

Reflowable content means that the text dynamically adapts to various screen sizes. This is important, as your readers could be reading your book from a variety of devices. Reflowable content lets them read comfortably with a consistent format that’s easy on the eyes.

Multimedia integration

ePUB files also let you include multimedia content, including audio, video and interactive content. This is particularly important for children’s books, graphic novels, or sci-fi and fantasy novels where including rich multimedia adds to the setting and the story.

Broad compatibility across devices

ePUB is widely supported across a number of eReaders and devices including Apple iPad, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, Kobo, and more. This gives readers far greater flexibility in which eReader they choose, knowing that no matter which device they feel most comfortable with, the ePUB file will display similarly and consistently.

Accessibility features

ePUB also allows for accessibility features, including text to speech and adjustable font sizes, making your book accessible to readers with low vision or other disabilities.

When you compare this to other eBook formats, like PDF, you can see why the ePUB format is vastly superior. For example, PDFs do not allow for a reflowable layout. The document appears exactly the same on every device. Although this is helpful for instances where the initial design has to remain intact (like diagrams in a textbook or research papers), it can make for a poor reading experience.

What’s more, although PDFs can be opened on nearly any device without needing to install specialized software, and they do support some multimedia integration, the experience is not as seamless as it is with ePUB. Oftentimes, interactive features are restricted for security reasons and they may require third-party extensions or other add-ons to be installed in order to function correctly. For better reading consistency and ease of use, ePUB is the much better option.

Step-by-step ePUB conversion

To convert your manuscript into a high-quality ePUB eBook, you’ll need to go through a series of steps, including:

Preparing your manuscript

The first step in the ePUB conversion process is to prepare your manuscript. It can be challenging to edit an ePUB file after the conversion is complete, and oftentimes specialized software like Adobe InDesign is needed, so preparing your manuscript as meticulously as possible beforehand saves a lot of time and money.

The first step to preparing your manuscript is to proofread it carefully. Make sure that there are no spelling mistakes, grammar issues, or syntax errors. Use consistent formatting throughout the process, including uniform paragraph and line formatting throughout the document. Avoid the use of tabs and spaces for indentation and avoid using the space bar to align your words on the page.

Make sure you’re using standard fonts like Times New Roman or Courier New, in a 12 pt size for body text, and anywhere from a 14-18 point size for chapter titles. This ensures maximum compatibility across all devices.

Next, you’ll need to prepare your images. Resize them outside of the document before adding them into it. All of your images should be in JPG format, with a minimum of 72 DPI and in RGB color mode. Avoid letting the text wrap around the images. Instead, place them in line in the document with the text flowing above and below the picture.

Once you’ve properly prepared your manuscript, the next step is to submit it to the ePUB conversion professionals at BookBaby. From there, we’ll take the following steps:

Submit your manuscript to BookBaby

You can submit your manuscript to BookBaby as a .doc or .docx file and include any additional materials like images or cover designs as part of the file upload process. At this point, you’ll also choose the type of ePUB conversion service you’re interested in.

For example, we offer standard eBook conversion as well as fixed layout formatting, which is ideal for image-heavy books like children’s books or cookbooks. You’ll also have a wide range of distribution options to choose from.

ePUB conversion process

From there, our eBook conversion experts take over. We take the time to diligently review your manuscript and transform it to ePUB format while making sure that text, images and interactive elements are represented accurately and flow well. Our digital publishing specialists rigorously check each file throughout the process to make sure that the finished product displays correctly and optimally across all popular eReader devices. We also take the time to maximize compatibility so that your book reads as flawlessly on a Kindle as it does on a Kobo.

After conversion is complete

Once the conversion process is complete, we then provide you with a finished ePUB file for your review. This process from start to finish usually takes around 6-8 business days, depending on the complexity of the file. From here, you’ll be able to see exactly how your eBook will look to your readers.

We strongly encourage you to review the proof thoroughly and check for any formatting issues or errors. If you happen to find any, the ePUB conversion experts at BookBaby are happy to fix them.

Finalization and distribution

Once you approve the proof, we’ll make any necessary corrections to make sure the finished eBook meets your expectations. We’ll then distribute it to over 60 of the world’s largest online bookstores including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble, casting a wide net for you to reach your ideal audience of readers.

Common mistakes to avoid with ePUB conversion

Converting a manuscript into ePUB format requires meticulous attention to detail. Whether you’re converting your first eBook or you’ve been working with ePUB files for a while, some of the most common mistakes to avoid include:

Inconsistent formatting and layout

One of the biggest mistakes that shows up with ePUB conversion is inconsistent formatting. This means inconsistencies in everything from font styles and sizes to paragraph spacing, headings, and more. To avoid this, use predefined styles in your favorite word processing program for things like headings, subheadings, and body text to keep everything uniform.

Avoid manual formatting like multiple spaces or tabs. Use built-in indentation and alignment tools instead. This ensures that your eBook reads consistently chapter after chapter.

Ignoring device compatibility

Another common error is device compatibility. Even if an ePUB displays well on one device, it might not on another. This is one of the things that BookBaby’s ePUB conversion service tests before presenting you with the final proof of your document. If you choose to convert your file to ePUB yourself, make sure that you test it on different devices and eReader apps to be sure it looks and loads correctly and consistently.

Poor image optimization

High-resolution images can increase the file size, which in turn leads to slow loading times. On the other hand, low-resolution images may look blurry or pixelated on the screen. The best way to optimize them is by resizing them outside of the word processing program you’re using. Clicking and dragging to resize inside the program doesn’t actually resize the image, but only changes its appearance.

If you have experience using a graphic design program, resize and compress them accordingly in that program and be sure to save them as a supported format, ideally JPG.

Missing or broken hyperlinks

Internal or external links that don’t work lead to a poor reading experience and can harm your credibility as an author. During the proofreading stage, take the time to manually verify that your hyperlinks are working and that they direct the reader where they are supposed to go. Use relative links for internal navigation and regularly update external links to keep them accurate.

Overlooking metadata

Metadata is a vital part of your eBook publication and makes it easier for your book to be found on platforms like Amazon and others. Metadata most commonly includes the title, author name, and relevant keywords.

If you’re handling the conversion process yourself, you’ll want to be sure to fill in all metadata fields during the ePUB conversion process to make sure your book can be found on eBook platforms when users search for your genre.

Neglecting accessibility features

If you’re handling your own ePUB conversion, don’t neglect accessibility features, as not using them can exclude readers with disabilities from enjoying your content. Use semantic HTML tags, provide alt text for images and make sure that navigation is accessible via screen reader to make your ePUB file as accessible as possible.

Lack of post-conversion proofreading

This is another significant issue when converting your ePUB yourself: not taking the time to thoroughly proofread the conversion after the process has completed. Even during the most diligent conversion process, mistakes can still happen. Sometimes text can be misaligned, characters can be missing, or formatting glitches can occur.

For this reason, it’s important to thoroughly proofread your ePUB file to spot and correct any issues. Use eReader previews to see what the reader’s experience would be like on different devices. This can help you catch any errors that you might ordinarily overlook when reading over the document itself.

Should you use ePUB conversion software?

Although ePUB conversion software might seem like a quick and easy way to create an eBook, there are several reasons why you may not want to rely on using such a tool. For example, many ePUB conversion software programs, particularly free or low-cost ones, fail to maintain the consistent formatting that’s needed throughout the document.

Automated tools can create formatting errors

They may misalign text, indent the wrong things, distort or misplace tables or images, or adjust footnotes or endnotes so that they appear on the wrong pages. This in turn leads to a poor reading experience and may lead to your book getting rejected from platforms like Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble.

Lack of proper validation and compliance

Many eBook retailers have strict requirements for ePUB files. For example, both Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and Apple Books both have specific standards that ePUB files need to follow. Many platforms also use ePUBCheck validation to look for structural errors. These validation checks also look for accessibility compliance such as alt text for images and screen reader compatibility.

Many free ePUB converters do not check for these issues which could cause your books to get rejected. If you choose BookBaby for your eBook conversion, we’ll make sure to verify your eBook formatting through a number of validation tests as well as view it on several popular eReaders so that you can be certain that the formatting is consistent across devices.

Limited support for interactive or multimedia elements

Although the ePUB format supports interactive content such as hyperlinks, embedded audio and video, interactive quizzes, pop-ups, and animations, many free conversion services strip out or misplace these elements, which leads to your eBook being incomplete or broken. Some conversion services also try to edit your images as well, which can cause them to be too small, blurry, or missing altogether.

In other cases, using free or low-cost ePUB conversion software can cause text or images to wrap incorrectly, including positioning captions incorrectly. For graphic-heavy books like graphic novels, this can ruin the entire reading experience.

One-size-fits-all formatting

Many automated conversion software programs apply one-size-fits-all formatting which fails to meet the needs of authors who want custom book designs. Common problems include inconsistent fonts and styles, missing chapter breaks or errors in the table of contents, or loss of formatting like italics, bold text, or bullet points.

Lack of quality control

Even the best and most accurate ePUB conversion software can’t proofread or detect layout inconsistencies the way that a human eye can. Many of these software programs, both free and paid, will convert errors as they are, which leaves your book with mistakes that can damage your credibility as an author. Contrary to the old saying, readers really do judge a book by its cover, and especially by its contents!

The hidden costs of free ePUB conversion

Many authors choose free or cheap ePUB conversion software, which might seem like a great way to save money, but in reality, it can lead to hidden costs including:

• Wasted time fixing conversion errors
• Additional fees for reformatting or reuploading to eBook retailer platforms
• Lost sales due to a poor reading experience

Why choose a professional ePUB conversion service?

Choosing a professional ePUB conversion service helps you sidestep all of the potential errors of using a free or low-cost ePUB conversion software. At BookBaby, we prioritize quality and precision as part of our ePUB conversion, making sure that your eBook meets industry standards and delivers a phenomenal reading experience.

Our detailed process includes:

Manuscript preparation

We recommend that you thoroughly proofread your manuscript before submitting it to us, following the steps mentioned above to make sure your text is as prepared as it can be.

ePUB conversion

Our team of eBook conversion experts converts your manuscript to ePUB, making sure that all elements of your book, including the text, images, and interactive features, load and show as they should.

Quality assurance

After the ePUB conversion is complete, we go through a thorough review to identify and fix any lingering formatting issues, making sure that the eBook displays correctly across a variety of popular eReaders and platforms.

Author proofing

We then send you an ePUB proof of your converted eBook so that you can review it before its final publication. This step lets you make any necessary revisions or bring any issues to our attention. We want to be sure that you’re absolutely delighted with the end result.

Distribution

Once the ePUB proof is approved, we then distribute your eBook to over 60 of the world’s largest online stores, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and more, making sure that your work reaches your ideal audience and looks great from the first page to the last.

Why professional ePUB conversion is the best choice for your eBook

When you consider how free and low-cost ePUB conversion falls short in terms of formatting issues, limited support for interactive and multimedia features, a lack of accessibility compliance, and poor image handling, it’s easy to see how professional ePUB conversion stands out as the better choice.

Even if you do elect to convert your book yourself, there’s still the learning curve to consider with high-end tools like Adobe InDesign or Calibre. It’s not just a matter of pressing a few buttons. There are other details to keep in mind, even more so if your book contains images, diagrams, tables, charts, or interactive elements.

At the same time, the last thing you want is for your ePUB file to be rejected by Kindle, Apple Books, or Kobo, among others. eBook users represent a massive slice of the general reading public, and that’s a large segment of the reading population that you can’t afford to ignore as a self-published author.

It may seem like a small decision, but choosing between free ePUB conversion software or professional ePUB conversion services is one of the most important decisions an author can make. Free or low-cost automated tools seem convenient, but they can come with serious risks that could compromise your book’s quality, readability, and overall market success.

What makes BookBaby the best choice for ePUB conversion?

Choosing an ePUB conversion service through BookBaby makes sure that your file conversion is handled by true publishing professionals. We test your book thoroughly on all major and popular devices including Apple iPad, Kobo, Nook, Kindle, and more. Thanks to our diligent formatting, optimization, interactive elements support, and accessibility, we make sure that your eBook will be market-ready, polished, and professional.

Beyond our superior eBook conversion services, we also offer dedicated customer support to our clients. You’ll never be left struggling with questions or having to deal with conversion issues on your own (and good luck getting support from those free or cheap eBook conversion programs!) Our team is here for you every step of the way to offer support, guidance and reliable service that you can depend on, whether it’s your first eBook or you’re an established author.

With BookBaby as your ePUB conversion specialist, you’ll come away with much more than just an ePUB conversion: you’ll have an eBook that provides an incredible, readable experience while being polished and professional, giving you the best possible chance to not just break into the competitive eBook market, but also give your book the best possible chance at engaging with lifelong readers who will quickly become raving fans!

To learn more about our professional ePUB conversion services, feel free to contact us. We’re here for you every step of the way!