Why did IngramSpark reject my cover again?

Q: What does it cost with Jooneyd?

Jooneyd: Fixing a rejected file with me starts from $149, and the first check by email is free. If the design stays the same, a rejected cover is fixed within 12 hours, often in 3 to 6. I make separate files for IngramSpark and KDP.

Updated 31 October 2026 · 3 min read · Jooneyd

Short answer

IngramSpark expects your cover built on the exact template its Cover Template Generator emails you for your trim, page count and paper, saved as PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002 in CMYK with fonts embedded. Rebuild on a fresh template for the final page count, keep text inside the safe area, and never resize the barcode.

What it costs with me, Jooneyd: Fixing a rejected file with me starts from $149, and the first check by email is free. If the design stays the same, a rejected cover is fixed within 12 hours, often in 3 to 6. I make separate files for IngramSpark and KDP.

Start from IngramSpark's own template

Order the cover template under My Tools in your IngramSpark account. It arrives by email, so allow up to 2 hours. IngramSpark's rule is that the final PDF should be created at the size it's received.

Order it for your final page count and paper.
Move nothing except the barcode.
Let your artwork cover the pink and blue guide areas.

Bleed, safety and spine

A paperback cover needs 0.125 in bleed on all four sides, and a casebound (hardcover) cover needs 0.625 in. Keep type 0.25 in from the trim where you can; the template allows down to 0.125 in. Spine safety is 0.0625 in for spines 0.35 in and wider, and 0.03125 in below that.

Spine text is not allowed on perfect-bound books under 48 pages. Hardcovers can carry spine text from 18 pages.

Barcode, color and images

A barcode is mandatory on every cover: 100% black on a white box, and never resized.
If your file has no barcode yet, leave a clear area of at least 1.75 in × 1 in.
Use 300 ppi images. Images under 200 ppi may be rejected.
Convert all images to CMYK. RGB files get converted, and the color may shift.
For rich black, use C60 M40 Y40 K100, with total ink no more than 240%.

Don't reuse your KDP cover

IngramSpark's workflow is built on its own template, and Lulu sizes the spine from its own calculator. So make a separate cover file for each printer, from that printer's own template.

The rules at a glance

What	The rule	Source
File format	PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002, CMYK, fonts embedded	IngramSpark Help
Template	From the Cover Template Generator under My Tools; arrives by email, allow up to 2 hours	IngramSpark Help
Paperback cover bleed	0.125 in on all four sides	IngramSpark Help
Casebound (hardcover) cover bleed	0.625 in	IngramSpark Help
Type safety	0.25 in recommended; the template allows down to 0.125 in	IngramSpark Help
Spine safety	0.0625 in for spines 0.35 in and wider, 0.03125 in below that	IngramSpark Help
Spine text, perfect-bound	Not allowed under 48 pages	IngramSpark Help
Spine text, hardcover	Allowed from 18 pages	IngramSpark Help
Barcode	Mandatory, 100% black on a white box, never resized; with no barcode, a clear area of at least 1.75 in × 1 in	IngramSpark Help
Image resolution	300 ppi; images under 200 ppi may be rejected	IngramSpark Help
Rich black and ink	C60 M40 Y40 K100, total ink no more than 240%	IngramSpark Help

Checked 27 October 2026 on the stores’ own help pages.

Common mistake

Resizing a KDP cover for IngramSpark instead of building it on IngramSpark's own template.

Need it done?

I rebuild covers on IngramSpark's template and check every setting before you upload. Fixing a rejected file starts from $149. Book cover design from $599.

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