Blog
KDP Proof Copies: Your Final Quality Check Before Publishing
You’ve reached the final, tangible step before launching your print book on Amazon KDP: ordering a proof copy. A proof copy is a single, pre-publication printed version of your paperback or hardcover. Its purpose is simple but absolutely critical: it allows you to hold a physical copy of your book in your hands and perform a final quality check before it becomes available to customers.
While KDP’s digital previewer is a useful tool, there is no substitute for seeing and feeling the real thing. Ordering and carefully reviewing a KDP proof copy is a non-negotiable step in the professional publishing process. It is your last chance to catch errors in formatting, color, and design that might only be visible in the final printed product.
Key Takeaways & Summary
- A Pre-Publication Test Print: A proof copy is a single printed copy of your book that you can order before you hit the publish button.
- The Goal is Quality Control: Its sole purpose is for you to perform a final quality check of the physical book, including the cover, trim size, and interior layout.
- Marked “Not for Resale”: Proof copies are printed with a prominent “Not for Resale” banner across the cover and do not have an ISBN.
- A Crucial, Mandatory Step: Skipping the proof copy stage is a major risk that can lead to customer complaints and bad reviews due to unforeseen printing or formatting issues.
Why You Absolutely MUST Order a KDP Proof Copy
What you see on your computer screen is not always what you get in print. A physical proof copy is the only way to be 100% certain about the final quality of your book.
What to check for when your proof arrives:
Cover Colors and Finish: Do the colors on the printed cover look as you expected? How does the matte or glossy finish feel? This is a key part of assessing your KDP cover design.
Interior Formatting: Read through the entire book. Are the margins correct? Is the “gutter” (the inside margin) wide enough so that text isn’t getting sucked into the binding? Is the font size comfortable to read?
Image Quality: If your book has interior images, are they crisp and clear, or are they pixelated?
Overall Feel: Does the book feel like a quality product?
This final quality check is a standard practice for all professional publishers and a cornerstone of responsible authorship, a principle strongly advocated by author organizations like the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).
How to Order a KDP Proof Copy: A Step-by-Step Guide
Complete Your Book Setup: You must complete the “Paperback Details” and “Paperback Content” tabs in your KDP dashboard. This includes uploading your final, print-ready interior PDF and your wraparound cover PDF.
Approve the Digital Previewer: On the “Paperback Content” tab, you must click “Launch Previewer” and approve the digital proof of your book.
Request Your Proof: Once the digital proof is approved, the option to request a proof will become available. Below the previewer, a box will appear that says “Proof and author copies.” Click the button that says “Request printed proofs.”
Complete the Purchase: Choose the Amazon marketplace you want to order from (e.g., Amazon.com). The proof copy will be added to your Amazon shopping cart, and you will check out and pay for the printing cost plus shipping, just like a normal Amazon order. For a detailed walkthrough, you can consult Amazon’s official help page on the subject.
Proof Copies vs. Author Copies: Understanding the Difference
This is a common point of confusion for new authors.
Proof Copies: Are ordered before publication. They have a “Not for Resale” banner and are for quality checking only.
Author Copies: Are ordered after your book is published and live for sale. They are identical to the retail version (no banner) and are intended for you to use for in-person sales, marketing giveaways, or your personal library.
Both proof copies and author copies are sold to you at the base printing cost. Managing this entire process is a key part of our Amazon KDP publishing services.
Short FAQ
Q: How much do KDP proof copies cost?
A: You only pay the cost to print the book, plus shipping. For a standard 300-page black and white paperback in the US, the printing cost is typically around $4.50.
Q: Can I order a proof copy of my KDP hardcover?
A: Yes. The process for ordering a proof copy is the same for both KDP paperbacks and KDP hardcovers.
Q: What do I do if I find an error in my proof copy?
A: That’s what it’s for! You simply go back to your original source files (your Word doc or InDesign file), fix the error, create new PDF files, and then re-upload them to your KDP Bookshelf. You can then order another proof if needed, or if the fix was minor, proceed to publish.
