ePub from InDesign

ePub is an open standard for eBooks based on XHTML, meaning they are essentially encapsulated web pages. ePubs are easy to create in InDesign and have specific requirements.

  1. In InDesign, create a new document with:
    • Size 384 × 512px
    • Uncheck Facing Pages
    • Check Primary Text Frame
    Although document size is irrelevant because “pages” will be made by the eBook reader, the document will appear in InDesign approximately as it will look on an iPad.
  2. All text must be styled. Create Paragraph Styles for body text, images, and at least one heading.
  3. Set up an automatic table of contents (TOC) style (Layout > Table of Contents Style) with the headings in it. Do not generate text for the TOC; the style will be picked up by the eBook reader.
  4. Import the text from a Word or text file. Ideally the text should have styles predefined in Word, which can be mapped to your InDesign Styles.
  5. Draw picture boxes with the desired width of your images, then place the images. Select Object > Fitting > Size Content Proportionally, then Size Box to Content. Cut each image to the Clipboard, then place inline in the text using the Text or I-beam tool. Note the anchor icon at the upper right of the image, showing it is inline.
  6. InDesign will shrink your images on output. For full-width images, right-click and select Object Export Options. Set the Size to Custom Width 100%.
  7. When ready to export your ePub, select File > Export > ePub-Reflowable, specifying your cover graphic, TOC Style, and chapter split options.

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