Reading your book on screen is fundamentally different from reading a printed copy. Common issues that appear obvious in print but are invisible on screen include: spine text that is off-centre or too small to read, margins that are too tight and cause text to disappear into the gutter, font choices that look clean on screen but become fatiguing in print, images that look bright on screen but print too dark, and cover colours that shift in CMYK print versus RGB screen. Ordering a proof before publishing catches these issues before any customer sees them.
When reviewing a proof, check: the cover for colour accuracy, bleed, and spine text alignment; the interior for consistent margins, orphaned lines, widows, and paragraph spacing; any images or charts for print clarity; chapter headings and page numbers for consistency; and the back cover copy for typos and barcode placement. Read at least two full chapters in print — errors that your eyes skip over on screen often become obvious when you're holding the physical book.
How much does a KDP proof copy cost?
Proof copies are charged at KDP's printing cost only — no royalty is added. Printing cost depends on page count, size, and paper type. A typical 300-page 6"×9" paperback on white paper costs around $3.50–$5.00 to print, plus shipping. You can order multiple proof copies at the same printing cost.
Can I sell a proof copy?
No. KDP proof copies are watermarked with "Not for resale" on the back cover and are explicitly for author review only. They should not be sold, given to reviewers, or used in promotional materials. If you want physical copies to give to reviewers before launch, you'll need to publish the book first and order author copies.
Do I have to order a proof before publishing?
No — it's optional. You can approve your cover and interior files digitally and publish without ordering a proof. However, for your first book or first time using a new formatter or cover designer, a proof is strongly recommended. The cost of catching a formatting error before launch is far lower than the cost of receiving negative reviews about print quality after launch.
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