A 5.25×8 book on IngramSpark requires a PDF/X-1a:2001 file with CMYK or grayscale color, embedded fonts, a minimum inside margin of 0.5”–0.875” depending on page count, and spine width calculated as page count × 0.0025” (cream) or × 0.002252” (white). The 5.25×8 is a compact genre fiction size — slightly wider than 5×8 — and IngramSpark supports it for paperback only (no hardcover at this trim).
IngramSpark vs KDP at 5.25×8
| Requirement | KDP | IngramSpark |
|---|---|---|
| PDF format | Standard PDF | PDF/X-1a:2001 |
| Color space | RGB OK | CMYK or Grayscale |
| Min gutter (under 150pp) | 0.375” | 0.5” |
| Hardcover | Yes (limited) | No at 5.25×8 |
| Distribution | Amazon | 40,000+ retailers |
Margin requirements
Minimum inside (gutter) margin
| Page Count | Minimum Inside Margin |
|---|---|
| 1–150 pages | 0.5” |
| 151–400 pages | 0.625” |
| 401–600 pages | 0.75” |
| 601+ pages | 0.875” |
Recommended margins
| Edge | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Inside (gutter) | 0.65”–0.8” |
| Outside | 0.5”–0.6” |
| Top | 0.6”–0.7” |
| Bottom | 0.65”–0.8” |
These work for both KDP and IngramSpark — format once, export twice. Use the KDP Book Calculator to check your page count.
Spine width
Cream: page count × 0.0025” | White: page count × 0.002252”
| Pages | Cream Spine | White Spine |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | 0.500” | 0.450” |
| 250 | 0.625” | 0.563” |
| 300 | 0.750” | 0.676” |
| 350 | 0.875” | 0.788” |
IS requires 0.5” minimum spine for text. Use the Spine Width Calculator.
PDF/X-1a checklist
- PDF/X-1a:2001 compliant
- CMYK or Grayscale — no RGB
- All fonts embedded
- Transparency flattened
- Page size exactly 5.25” × 8” (378 × 576 points)
- Even page count
- No printer marks
Cambric handles PDF/X-1a, CMYK conversion, and font embedding when you select IngramSpark as your target. No Acrobat Pro needed.
Get Cambric — $199
Page count and printing cost
| Word Count | Estimated Pages | IS Cost (B&W, cream) |
|---|---|---|
| 50,000 | ~210 | ~$4.06 |
| 60,000 | ~245 | ~$4.62 |
| 70,000 | ~275 | ~$5.10 |
| 80,000 | ~295 | ~$5.42 |
| 90,000 | ~335 | ~$6.06 |
IS printing costs are higher than KDP — roughly $0.016/page vs $0.012. Adjust your list price accordingly.
Cover dimensions
Cover width = 5.25” + spine + 5.25” + 0.25” = 10.75” + spine Cover height = 8.25”
Use the Cover Size Calculator for exact dimensions. IngramSpark requires a barcode zone on the back cover.
Common rejections
- Not PDF/X-1a — most common. Check export settings.
- RGB images — convert to CMYK before export.
- Spine mismatch on cover — regenerate if page count changed.
Related specifications
- 5.25×8 on KDP — simpler requirements
- 5×8 on IngramSpark — slightly smaller
- 5.5×8.5 on IngramSpark — larger, hardcover available
- IngramSpark requirements — general platform guide
- Spine Width Calculator — exact spine width