Barnes & Noble Press Requirements — Print & Ebook Specs
File formats, specifications, and metadata requirements for publishing through Barnes & Noble Press. Updated for 2026.
Print and ebook under one roof
Barnes & Noble Press (formerly Nook Press) is B&N's self-publishing platform. It supports both print (paperback) and ebook (NOOK) publishing, making it one of only two major platforms — alongside Amazon — that handles both formats directly.
B&N operates 600+ retail bookstores across the United States. Print books published through B&N Press can appear in those stores, giving indie authors a path to physical shelves that few other platforms offer.
The platform is free to use with no setup fees. You upload your files, set your price, and B&N handles printing, distribution, and payment.
Print interior requirements
These specifications apply to paperback interiors uploaded to B&N Press. Your PDF must meet every requirement below to pass validation.
File format
All fonts must be embedded. No password protection or encryption.
Page size
Must match selected trim size
PDF page dimensions must be an exact match for the trim size you selected during setup.
Available trim sizes
5″×8″ to 8.5″×11″
Includes 5″×8″, 5.25″×8″, 5.5″×8.5″, 6″×9″, 7″×10″, 8″×10″, 8.5″×11″, and more.
Color space
Grayscale, CMYK, or RGB
Use grayscale for black-and-white interiors. CMYK or RGB for color interiors.
Font embedding
All fonts must be embedded
Every font used in the document must be embedded in the PDF. No system font references.
Image resolution
300 DPI minimum
Images below 300 DPI will appear blurry in print and may trigger a rejection.
Bleed
0.125″ on all sides (if needed)
Only required if content extends to the page edge. Most text-only books do not need bleed.
Page count
Even number, 24–800 pages
Odd page counts are rejected. Add a blank page at the end if necessary.
Crop marks
Do not include
Do NOT include crop marks, registration marks, or color bars in your PDF.
B&N Press margin requirements
Minimum inside (gutter) margin
B&N Press sets the minimum inside margin based on your total page count. These minimums ensure the binding does not cut into the text block.
| Page Count | Minimum Inside Margin |
|---|---|
| 24–150 pages | 0.375″ |
| 151–300 pages | 0.5″ |
| 301–500 pages | 0.625″ |
| 501–800 pages | 0.75″ |
Outside, top, and bottom margins
B&N Press requires a minimum of 0.25″ on the outside, top, and bottom edges.
Ebook requirements
NOOK ebooks are reflowable — the reader controls font size and layout. Your file provides the content structure, and the NOOK device or app handles rendering. EPUB is the preferred format, though DOC and DOCX are also accepted.
File format
EPUB (preferred), DOC, or DOCX
EPUB gives you the most control over formatting. DOC/DOCX uploads are converted by B&N and may introduce formatting inconsistencies.
EPUB version
EPUB 2 or EPUB 3
Both versions are accepted. EPUB 3 supports more features; EPUB 2 has broader device compatibility.
Cover image
JPEG, min 1400 px shortest side
Ideal dimensions are 2500 × 3500 pixels. The cover is the first thing shoppers see on the NOOK store.
DRM
Applied automatically by B&N
You do not need to add DRM to your file. B&N handles digital rights management on their end.
Table of contents
Required
Your ebook must include a navigable table of contents for readers to move between chapters.
Font embedding
Supported
Embedded fonts are supported in EPUB files. NOOK devices may allow readers to override with their preferred typeface.
Images
JPEG or PNG, RGB
Inline images are supported. Use RGB color space for ebook images.
Maximum file size
650 MB
Most text-only ebooks are well under this limit. Image-heavy books should optimize images to stay within the cap.
Cover requirements
Print cover
- Format: PDF, single page containing front cover + spine + back cover
- Spine width: Calculated from page count × paper weight factor
- Bleed: 0.125″ on all sides of the full cover wrap
- Resolution: 300 DPI minimum
- Color space: CMYK recommended, RGB accepted
Ebook cover
- Format: JPEG
- Minimum size: 1400 × 1873 pixels
- Ideal size: 2500 × 3500 pixels
- Aspect ratio: Approximately 1:1.33 (standard book proportions)
Metadata requirements
B&N Press collects metadata during the publishing setup. This information determines how your book appears in the NOOK store and in B&N search results.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Title & subtitle | Must match the text on your cover. Subtitle is optional but improves discoverability. |
| Author name | The name readers will see on the book's product page. |
| ISBN | Optional for ebooks — B&N can assign a free one. Print requires your own or a B&N-assigned ISBN. B&N-assigned ISBNs are exclusive to Barnes & Noble. |
| Description | Supports basic formatting. This is your primary sales copy on the product page. |
| Categories | BISAC codes. Choose the most specific categories that fit your book. |
| Keywords | Search terms to help readers find your book on BN.com and the NOOK store. |
| Publication date | Set during the publishing process. Can be set to a future date for pre-orders. |
| Pricing | Set your USD list price. B&N handles international pricing. |
| Series information | If applicable, include series name and volume number so B&N groups your books together. |
B&N bookstore presence
In-store placement is possible
Print books published through B&N Press are eligible for placement in B&N's 600+ retail bookstores. This is a meaningful advantage — having a B&N Press title makes in-store placement possible, while titles from other platforms must go through additional distribution channels.
Not guaranteed
In-store placement is not automatic. B&N buyers select titles based on demand, category fit, seasonal considerations, and other factors. IngramSpark titles are also eligible for B&N shelves through standard wholesale distribution.
NOOK store availability
Ebooks appear on the NOOK store immediately after publishing. There is no additional review period for ebook listings beyond the initial content review.
Common rejection reasons
These are the most common reasons B&N Press rejects uploaded files. Check your manuscript against this list before uploading to avoid delays.
- PDF page size doesn't match selected trim. Your PDF page dimensions must be an exact match for the trim size you chose during setup.
- Inside margins too narrow. The gutter margin must increase as page count grows. A 300-page book needs at least 0.5″ inside margin.
- Fonts not embedded. Every font used in the document must be embedded in the PDF. System font references will cause a rejection.
- Cover spine width incorrect. The spine must be calculated from your actual page count and paper type. An incorrect spine width will misalign the front and back covers.
- Odd page count. Print books must have an even number of pages. Add a blank page at the end if your content ends on an odd page.
- Low-resolution images. Any image below 300 DPI will appear blurry in print and may trigger a rejection during file review.
- EPUB validation errors. Malformed EPUB files — missing metadata, broken navigation, or invalid markup — will be rejected during the upload process.
- Content in bleed area without bleed settings enabled. If your content extends to the page edge but you did not enable bleed during setup, the file will fail validation.
Related resources
KDP Requirements
Every file format, margin rule, and metadata requirement for publishing on Amazon KDP.
View guide →IngramSpark Requirements
Print and ebook specifications for IngramSpark's global distribution network.
View guide →Kobo Requirements
Ebook specifications and metadata requirements for Kobo Writing Life.
View guide →Trim Size Guides
Margins, page counts, and specs for every popular book size on KDP and IngramSpark.
View guides →Formatting Checklist
Step-by-step checklist to verify your manuscript meets every platform requirement before upload.
View checklist →KDP Formatting Guide
Complete formatting walkthrough from manuscript to upload-ready PDF.
Read article →FAQ
What file formats does B&N Press accept?
Do I need an ISBN for Barnes & Noble Press?
Can my print book appear in B&N retail stores?
What royalty does B&N Press pay?
Can I use the same PDF for B&N Press and KDP?
Format once.
Sell everywhere.
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