Based on the top of this video, you can already tell this is for self-publishing authors. Restating it to make it super clear.

Because I get this question A LOT. Or I get it after the fact with new authors unsure of why KDP or IngramSpark keep kicking back their files.

So the cover file for your print book is a separate formatted PDF from the print interior. The print cover is a full wrap with the front, back, and spine. It would be best if you always had margin and bleed in your print interior file, you definitely need it for your print cover, and you need more for the hardcover.

(Side note, you also need to upload a separate cover file for your eBook too even if the eBook cover is in the ePub file).

When you go to upload your print book to Amazon KDP or IngramSpark or any other platform, there is a separate file upload section for the cover and the interior. Because they are two separate files.

IngramSpark will send a digital proof with everything in one file, which is for them to do on their end.

My recommendation is to ALWAYS use the template. If you are using 100Covers or another book cover design service that works with self-publishing authors, they will send you separate files for KDP, IngramSpark, D2D print. Etc. If you are making the cover yourself, you need to use the templates.
I have links below. But it is as simple as googling “KDP Print Cover Template” or “IngramSpark Print Cover Template”

KDP https://kdp.amazon.com/cover-calculator
IngramSpark https://myaccount.ingramspark.com/Portal/Tools/CoverTemplateGenerator
Lulu https://www.lulu.com/publishing-toolkit

You are going to save yourself frustration by having all your files done and ready and formatted before you upload.

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