EBook Formatting Choices: PDF
When it comes to eBook formatting, there are a lot of choices out there. One of those choices is the PDF. But why should you choose this format over some of the more popular eBook formats like MOBI or EPUB? Well, the PDF actually has some advantages over some of the other formats, particularly for certain types of books. Let’s take an in-depth look at the PDF format, determine how it is best used, and cover some of the best reasons to use it instead of, or in addition to, the other eBook formats you select.
What is a PDF?
PDF is a format that basically converts your book into a picture and puts all of those pictures in order inside of a document. However, you can still sometimes select text within that document and you can click on links. You can also remove the ability to copy text within a PDF if you know what you are doing. PDF stands for “portable document format” and it is a widely used format that is accessible through a variety of applications. For example, you can export to a PDF from Microsoft Word, Open Office, Adobe Photoshop and much more. In addition, you can post a PDF on the web very easily and have it load quickly.
Picture Books
One of the reasons that people choose to use the PDF format is due to the type of book that they are writing not actually fitting within the other eBook formats. For example, if you are writing a picture book, then you’re going to have trouble publishing it on Kindle or through the .epub format because both of them are made to change the text position and size based upon reader preference. This doesn’t work when you have images with your book. That’s why many people who have charts, diagrams or stock photography as part of their book choose to publish it as a PDF. The same goes for electronic picture books. If you are writing a children’s book and you are illustrating it, you’re going to have a very difficult time with those illustrations if you try to publish it on Amazon Kindle or one of the other eBook formats where the text position is not fixed.
Print Books
Another advantage to the PDF format is that you are able to create print books immediately. This includes both picture books and correctly formatted books with headers and footers – page numbers in other words – like novels. If you export to PDF from a carefully formatted word document that you have completely perfected as a print book, you will not only get the digital version of this book, but you also be able to print the book using any of the self-publishing platforms out there like CreateSpace print-on-demand with the same exact specifications and design the you have originally created. That’s why creating a PDF can be one of the most useful things that you do as an author, especially if you are planning on publishing in print. To learn more about the publishing process, visit Reedsy.com for plenty of author tutorials and other great advice.