Indesign Epub

Adobe Indesign introduced the capacity to create e-books in version CS6 through exporting as ePub. In this way the same digital publication can be exported to several different formats, including PDF, HTML, ePub. We can then further convert them to other format such as Mobi for Amazon Kindle. Just about any electronic media can read an ePub, including desktop computers via free eReader software like Adobe Digital Editions (ADE).

The ePub format allows content to reflow for different screen sizes and resolutions, as opposed to PDFs which are fairly static. Amazon and iTunes only accept eBooks, not PDFs. You can also resize the text, drag scroll bars around and use the Digital Editions table of contents.

The ePub file format is like a zipped file containing many files which can be extracted: HTML, text files, images, a CSS file, table of contents files and Javascript. It's like a mini-website where each chapter is a separate page, images are referenced from the HTML files and the CSS is the style sheet.

There are some points to remember when working with the files in Indesign. For example, all text must be formatted using Paragraph or Character styles, with no local over-rides. Any local over-rides must be replaced by an appropriate Character style. Master page items like page numbering and running headers will be ignored since eBook reader devices add their own page numbers as the pages are often reflowed.

File and link naming follows the same conventions as for web design, that is, no special characters or spaces. It's recommended to keep file names short. Scripts may also be used to speed up the preparation workflow for ePub. A good renaming script is Tomaxxi.

Scripts are also available to fixing local over-rides, as well as multiple tab spaces, extra returns, multiple spaces and double returns.

It's important to make sure that graphics are anchored objects within text frames. The Articles panel allows you to control the order of content by dragging one above the other in the panel. The output order is top to bottom of the panel. You can double-click on an article to go to its location. If you wish to anchor a group of images within a body of text, click and drag on the small blue icon at the top right of the group. And when exporting make sure that Content Order in the General tab is set to Same as Articles Panel.

Complicated forms or tables will display in unpredictable ways, so it's best to rasterise and import it as a graphic.

The following metadata must be added to each ePub document: first go to File > File Info. Then make sure that the following fields have content: Document Title, Author, Description, Keywords separated with a semi-colon or comma, and a Copyright Notice.

We also add Alt tags to images and objects. These are primarily used for the visual impaired readers but also can help with marketing as search engines do index alt tags.

InDesign will automatically add alt tags but it's simply the name of the image. To add your own go to the Object, Export options, and edit the Alt text fields.

Keep your cover image simple and informative, bearing in mind that it should look good at very small bookstore size and also at full size when downloaded. Kindle recommends 600 x 800 pixels and higher. It's possible to use the first page of the document as the cover direct, but you'd need to rasterise it first via Export >Rasterise first page.

The following dimensions also work well: 1800x2400 pixels @ 300 pixels per inch. Save as a JPEG. Video can also be included in your ePub.

Before publication you need to preview your eBook in as many readers as possible. Also iTunes, Book Proofer, Phone Disk for iPhone or iPad, and iBooks via DropBox.

Next we need to validate the ePub whereby we submit our file to a program to ensure it's following all the rules as laid out by International Digital Publishing Forum. Validator and ePub Check are free on-line validation tools.

The last part of the process is distributing your eBook, either through e-Sellers like Amazon Kindle, iBook store, Nook store, or iTunes. Or from your own website or third party distributors like Book Baby and Pigeon Lab.


----------------------------------------------------
Tom Gillan has been training Indesign to corporate clients in Sydney for seven years. You can learn more about Indesign at http://www.designworkshopsydney.com.au/adobe-indesign-courses/ .