PDF, EPUB, and DOCX: Which Format for What
Each export format serves a different purpose. Most authors need at least two formats to cover all distribution channels.
| Format | Best For | Layout | Plan Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct sales, print, lead magnets, email delivery | Fixed - looks identical everywhere | All plans (including free) | |
| EPUB | Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play | Reflowable - adapts to reader settings | Creator and Premium |
| DOCX | Further editing in Word/Docs, print formatters | Editable document | Premium |
If you are publishing on Amazon only: Export as EPUB and upload to KDP. Amazon converts EPUB to their Kindle format internally.
If you are publishing everywhere: Export EPUB for ebook stores and PDF for direct sales, print-on-demand, and lead magnet distribution.
If you need further editing: Export as DOCX to continue in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or professional typesetting tools like Vellum or Atticus.
Exporting as PDF
PDF is the most versatile format. The exported file looks identical on every device, screen, and printer.
What is included
- Cover page - Your book cover as the first page.
- Title page - Book title, subtitle, and author name.
- Copyright page - Standard copyright notice with your details.
- Table of contents - Clickable chapter links.
- All chapters - Full content with formatting, images, and headings preserved.
- Author bio (if configured) - An author page at the end of the book.
PDF formatting controls
- Chapter numbering - Numeric, Roman numerals, or none.
- Headers and footers - Book title, chapter title, page numbers.
- Page numbers - Multiple position options.
- Chapter decorations - Ornamental dividers on chapter title pages.
- Branding - Toggle on/off (paid plans only).
PDF use cases
- Lead magnets delivered by email (download link or attachment).
- Direct sales on your website (Gumroad, Payhip, Shopify).
- Print-on-demand via KDP paperback or IngramSpark.
- Course materials and supplementary content.
- Professional reports and whitepapers.
Exporting as EPUB
EPUB is the standard ebook format accepted by virtually every digital bookstore. The content reflows to fit the reader's device, screen size, and font preferences.
What is included
- Cover - Embedded as the first element and used as the store thumbnail.
- Metadata - Title, author, description, and language embedded in the file.
- Navigation TOC - Used by ebook readers for built-in chapter navigation.
- Inline TOC - A visible table of contents page within the book.
- All chapters - Content formatted for reflowable display.
EPUB considerations
- Content position depends on reader settings - font size, line spacing, and margins all affect layout.
- Images scale to fit the available width - avoid relying on exact image positioning.
- Complex formatting (multi-column layouts, precise positioning) does not translate well.
- Tables work but may require horizontal scrolling on small screens.
Where to upload EPUB
- Amazon KDP - kdp.amazon.com. Converts EPUB to Kindle format automatically.
- Apple Books - Via Apple Books Connect (formerly iTunes Connect).
- Google Play Books - play.google.com/books/publish.
- Kobo - Via Kobo Writing Life (kobo.com/writinglife).
- Aggregators - Draft2Digital, Smashwords, PublishDrive distribute to dozens of stores from a single upload.
Exporting as DOCX
DOCX export is for authors who need to continue editing in desktop word processors or use professional formatting tools.
When to use DOCX
- Professional editing - Send to an editor who works in Microsoft Word with Track Changes.
- Advanced formatting - Use tools like Vellum (Mac), Atticus, or Reedsy Book Editor for custom typography and layout.
- Print formatting - Professional typesetters often require DOCX or RTF as input.
- Collaboration - Share on Google Docs for real-time collaborative editing.
What is preserved
DOCX export preserves chapter structure, headings, body text, bold/italic formatting, images, and basic layout. Complex web-specific formatting may simplify during conversion. The exported file opens cleanly in Microsoft Word 2016+ and Google Docs.
Formatting Options and Controls
Inkfluence AI gives you control over how your exported ebook looks:
Chapter numbering
- Numeric - Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3... Standard for most non-fiction.
- Roman numerals - Chapter I, Chapter II, Chapter III... Traditional, used in literary fiction and formal non-fiction.
- None - Chapter titles only, no numbering. Modern and clean, common in self-help and lifestyle books.
Headers and footers (PDF)
Configure what appears at the top and bottom of each page: book title, chapter title, author name, and page numbers. Common configurations: book title in the header, page numbers in the footer. Academic: chapter title in the header, page numbers bottom center.
Page numbers
Choose from multiple positioning options. Page numbers typically start after the front matter (title page, copyright, TOC). The cover page is never numbered.
Chapter decorations
Ornamental visual elements on chapter title pages that add a professional, polished look. Choose from several styles or disable entirely for a minimal aesthetic. Decorations appear between the chapter number/title and the chapter content.
Table of Contents
A well-structured table of contents is essential for both reader experience and platform requirements.
Automatic generation
Inkfluence AI automatically generates a TOC from your chapter titles. The TOC updates whenever you rename chapters or reorder them. You do not need to manually create or maintain it.
PDF TOC
Rendered as a formatted page with clickable chapter links. Readers click a chapter title to jump directly to that chapter. The TOC inherits your book's typography and formatting settings.
EPUB TOC
EPUB has two TOC systems: an inline TOC page (visible in the book content) and a navigation TOC (used by the ebook reader's built-in navigation). Inkfluence AI generates both. The navigation TOC lets readers use their Kindle/Kobo/Apple device's "Go to chapter" feature.
TOC best practices
- Use descriptive chapter titles that tell the reader what they will learn or experience.
- Keep titles concise - long titles wrap awkwardly in the TOC.
- Number chapters consistently (or not at all - pick one approach).
- Review the TOC in the export preview before downloading.
Copyright and Title Pages
Title page
The title page displays your book title, subtitle (if any), and author name. It appears after the cover and before the copyright page. The layout is clean and professional - centered text with appropriate spacing.
Copyright page
Automatically generated with: your name, the publication year, and a standard copyright notice. The copyright page protects your intellectual property and signals professionalism. Most readers skip it, but its absence signals amateur publishing.
Customization
You can edit the copyright text in your project settings to include: publisher name, ISBN (if you have one), edition information, disclaimer, or acknowledgments. Keep the copyright page brief - it is not the place for lengthy legal text.
Branding Control
Inkfluence AI offers different branding levels based on your plan:
Free plan
- Footer watermark on each page ("Created with Inkfluence AI").
- Closing branding page at the end of the book.
- Branding cannot be removed on the free plan.
Paid plans and credit purchasers
- No footer watermark.
- No closing branding page.
- Optional branding toggle - you can choose to include Inkfluence AI branding if you want (some users include it as an endorsement).
- The exported ebook looks like it was published by any professional publisher.
If you are using the exported ebook commercially (selling on Amazon, using as a paid lead magnet, distributing to clients), upgrading to a paid plan removes all branding for a fully professional output.
Previewing Before Export
Always preview your ebook before downloading. The export preview dialog shows exactly how the final file will look:
PDF preview
Navigate page by page through the complete document. Check: cover positioning, title page layout, copyright text, TOC formatting and links, chapter headings, image placement, headers/footers, page numbers, and the closing page.
EPUB preview
Preview your EPUB in simulated device frames: Kindle, tablet, and phone. This shows how the reflowable content will look at different screen sizes. Check: text reflow, image scaling, chapter navigation, and overall readability.
Preview checklist
- Cover image displays correctly at full resolution.
- Title, subtitle, and author name are correct on the title page.
- Copyright notice has the correct year and name.
- Table of contents lists all chapters in the correct order.
- Chapter titles and numbering are consistent.
- Images display at appropriate sizes and positions.
- Headers, footers, and page numbers are configured correctly.
- No formatting artifacts or broken layouts.
- The last page is clean (no orphaned text or awkward spacing).
Multi-Platform Publishing Workflow
A clear workflow for publishing your ebook across all major platforms:
Step 1: Prepare your assets
- Finalized ebook content (all chapters edited and reviewed).
- Book cover at 2,560 x 1,600 pixels (JPEG or PNG).
- Book description (150-300 words, keyword-rich).
- 7 keywords/phrases for Amazon KDP.
- Category selections (2 categories on KDP).
- Author bio (50-100 words).
Step 2: Export your formats
- EPUB for ebook stores (KDP, Apple, Kobo, Google Play).
- PDF for direct sales, print, and lead magnet distribution.
- DOCX if you need further editing or professional formatting.
Step 3: Publish on Amazon KDP
Upload EPUB + cover on kdp.amazon.com. Set pricing, categories, keywords. Choose 35% or 70% royalty option. KDP Select (optional) gives you Kindle Unlimited access but requires 90-day exclusivity. Review takes 24-72 hours.
Step 4: Publish on other platforms
Apple Books (via Apple Books Connect), Google Play Books, and Kobo (via Kobo Writing Life) each have their own dashboards. Upload the same EPUB to each. Alternatively, use an aggregator like Draft2Digital to upload once and distribute to 20+ stores.
Step 5: Set up direct sales
Upload your PDF to Gumroad, Payhip, BookFunnel, or Shopify for direct sales. You keep 90-95% of revenue versus 30-65% through ebook stores. Direct sales work best when you have an existing audience (email list, social following, blog traffic).
Common Export Mistakes
- Not previewing before export - Always check the preview. Formatting issues are easy to fix before downloading, painful to discover after uploading to Amazon.
- Wrong format for the platform - Amazon prefers EPUB (converts to Kindle internally). Uploading a PDF to KDP may result in formatting issues. Use EPUB for ebook stores.
- Skipping the copyright page - A missing copyright page signals amateur publishing. Keep it; readers expect it.
- Inconsistent chapter numbering - Starting with "Chapter 1" then switching to unnumbered chapters is confusing. Pick one approach and stick with it.
- Forgetting to check images - Images that look fine in the editor may be too large (slow download) or too small (pixelated) in the export. Check in preview.
- Publishing with free plan branding for commercial sales - If you are selling the ebook, upgrade to remove the Inkfluence AI watermark and branding page. Branding on a paid product looks unprofessional.
- Uploading to KDP without checking guidelines - KDP has specific content and quality guidelines. Review them before uploading to avoid rejection.
- Not optimizing the book description - Your Amazon book description is your sales page. Write it carefully with keywords, benefits, and a clear call to action.