Bleed in PDF for Amazon KDP

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IanicM

Hi, I've been using Scribus to create an atypical novel, and it's going great, until Amazon KDP rejected my PDF several times because of the bleed.

I've made it in many variations, but none of them were accepted by KDP.
My book is 6x9.

At first, Amazon support told me my book needed to be instead 6.125 x 9.25. I reformatted the book (all 291 pages) to fit this, but it was again rejected. (Amazon doesn't tell you specifics, just that the bleed is no good.)
I went back to my 6x9 book, added BLEED 0.125 (Outside, Top, Bottom) and adjusted all the pages. Exported that.

Again, the KDP was rejected.

If I look at the Amazon Preview, I can clearly see why. Whether it is a 6x9 or 6.125x9.25, there is a white line (the BLEED) around my pages. ( see attached image )

I also tried the PDF export setting: Pre-Press – Toggle ON – Use Document Bleeds.
This time there were no white edges all around, but Amazon gave me tons of margin errors.
I'm guessing the PDF option "Use Document Bleed" is cutting the bleed space, and then KDP is also cutting a new BLEED in the PDF.

Now I am at a lost. Does someone have experience with Bleed and KDP?

AdmFubar

#1
Are you doing a print or ebook publication? any errors in the preflight if pdf output?

what is the error message that amazon gives you?

In the PDF export window, in the prepress tab, bleed section, is the "use document' bleed checked? and if not, are there different values used for the bleed there?


you may also want to take a look here;

https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/question/0D58V00009DCHdaSAH/bleed-issues?language=en_US
Using Scribus 1.5.8 & 1.6.3, 1.7.0 openSUSE 15.5
Advanced hobbyist

a.l.e


Nermander

Reading the specification, I don't think they support the trimbox and bleed outside that, you need to make your pages "oversize" and create the bleed using margins. They are saying they just cut away a bit on every side.

QuoteWhen a book is printed, all pages are trimmed to the selected trim size by cutting 0.125" (3.2 mm) from the top, bottom, and outside edges. In order for objects on your page to reach all the way to the edge of the page, those objects must extend past where the page will be trimmed by 0.125" (3.2 mm). This means you need to increase your page size beyond where it will be trimmed.

So don't use Scribus bleeds.

IanicM

First, thanks for the help. My biggest issue was definitely a lack of experience with PDF exports and bleed settings.
My second problem was that Amazon support advised me to change the book size to 6.125" x 9.25" which turned out not to be the solution at all.

The actual solution was straightforward:
    • Set the page size to 6" x 9" (the trim size)
    • Added bleed of 0.125" on the outside, top, and bottom
    • Adjusted all pages so that images and backgrounds extended fully into the bleed zone
    • Exported the PDF with "Use Document Bleeds" enabled under the Pre-Press tab

The additional errors Amazon reported (mostly margin-related) were minor adjustments that hadn't been flagged by the automated system. These small issues still allowed me to print a proof copy, which gave the impression everything was fine, but they did require small adjustement before final approval.

Again, thanks! It's great to know there is an active community here ready to help out!

Last,
It was for a printed book. the Preflight didnt find any issues, and I could also print a proof copy, which I have, which doesnt have any issues with Bleed, margins or anything.

a.l.e

good!

than it's indeed pretty standard bleeds.

from your explanation it was not clear to me, if you had tried that and i did not dare to tell you to do so : - )

would you mind sharing the details about the minor issues?

is there anything that scribus could have caught?

a.l.e

ps.: are you the same one who asked about printing the baseline grid?

IanicM

#7
ps.: are you the same one who asked about printing the baseline grid?
No, this is my first and only post on this forum.


would you mind sharing the details about the minor issues?
(Seems I cannot add images. )
Moderation: I've added the image to this post
Basically, my book has art and text in the margins and gutter space.

QuoteI promised some screenshots of the book I'm working on, and here they are! It's currently in the hands of beta readers, but I can't help but keep refining and enhancing it. 😅 Deadline is May.
GmpmrWmXAAAeweB.jpg

page example

I had everything properly formatted for the Amazon preflight check and was able to print a proof copy with perfect results. However, when the Amazon team reviewed it, they requested slightly more space in the gutter and margins. Just a few millimeters, really. Still, it meant I had to adjust quite a few pages and more than a hundred text box.

Second, because of the bleed, I also had to adjust some of the art in many places and some of my corrections, needed more corrections.

On the Scribus side, there's honestly nothing to complain about. (so far.) I started using Scribus in January, and it's been my daily tool ever since. I've already started working on a new adventure book and now I am preparing a proper BLEED for it.






MrB


Nermander

I suspect that maybe you did not account for the creep that occurs when sheets are folded into signatures?

https://smartpress.com/support/printing-basics/page-creep?srsltid=AfmBOorfXQ6YIyQcsBxsNzZdR8-n-U7kH0ADxj27rkhQh7_3CqVVyEH6

While this page mostly shows the outside creep, there will of course be similar creep in the fold, which affects any content that spans over two pages.

For optimal layout you would probably try to adjust the layout so any such content will appear on the innermost pages of a signature.


IanicM

Quote from: MrB on May 22, 2025, 09:12:32 PMNice work, well done!
Thanks! I'm excited to share that I just received the "Your book is now scheduled for release" email!


Regarding "Page Creep," I don't believe that applies to my case here, but I did learn something new. Thanks for the link!







Nermander

The point with creep is that the content on pages needs to be moved to make sure the "outer margin" remains constant, and this also means that the "inner margin" is affected.

Back when I worked with doing impositioning scripts for postscript (they are in the wiki) I tried to incorporate support for creep, but it's been a few years and I have forgotten if the normal practice is to move the content in on the inner leaves (that stick out more) or out on the outer leaves (that stick out less).

IanicM

Thanks for the additional info.

From the guide lines of "How to address it:"
Bleed: You'll need to add a bleed area to your pages to ensure that any content that might be affected by creep stays within the printed area.
Margins: Ensure that important elements are placed within a safe margin, far enough away from the spine to avoid being obscured by creep.

It looks like there is general consideration for the issue, but not a page to page one.