You’ve written something you’re proud of; maybe a book, a guide, or an eBook for your brand. You’re excited to share it, and ePublishing seems perfect: fast, affordable, and global.

But before you hit “publish,” there’s one key step that often gets overlooked: prepress.

Think of it as a final check to make sure your content looks great and works smoothly on any device. It’s the quiet step that makes a big impact.

If you are working with a prepress partner, they will typically handle all of these steps for you—from layout and editing to device compatibility and indexing—so nothing slips through the cracks. 

A reliable editorial prepress service can manage the detail, proofreading, formatting, and layout, so your book feels polished and professional.

Step 1: Typesetting, Get Your Pages Looking Sharp

Let’s start with the basics: how your book actually looks when someone opens it.

Typesetting is all about presentation. It’s arranging your words on the page so they’re easy on the eyes. And no, it’s not just about picking a cute font.

This means:

• Clean, consistent font styles and sizes
• Proper spacing so your pages don’t look cramped or awkward
• Chapter titles that stand out
• Everything aligned and flowing naturally

Even small details like line breaks, bullet points, and margin spacing can change how a reader experiences your book. If the layout feels messy, they’ll bounce.

Use tools like Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, or 32B if you want it to look professional (and you should!). Your book deserves to look as good as it reads.

Step 2: Copy Editing Because We All Miss Stuff

You know those little mistakes you swear weren’t there last time? They sneak in.

Copy editing isn’t just about spelling. It’s making sure your writing is:

• Clear
• Logical
• Free of repetition or awkward phrasing
• Consistent in style and tone

An editor will catch those “Wait, didn’t they say the opposite two pages ago?” moments. They’ll also fix things like inconsistent character names, mixed-up tenses, and weird formatting.

And once that’s done, proofreading steps in for the final polish fixing any leftover typos or formatting glitches.

Don’t skip this. A single embarrassing typo in your first chapter? Readers will notice.

Step 3: Artwork & Images Make It Look As Good As It Reads

Even if your book is mostly text, images still matter whether it’s a cover, graphs, diagrams, or full-blown illustrations.

Here’s what you want:

• High-quality, clear visuals (no pixelated mess)
• Consistent color tones
• Images that are actually placed where they should be
• A balance between visuals and text (nothing should feel like an afterthought)

And if you’ve used lots of images, make sure they’re optimized. Too many large files can make your eBook slow or hard to download.

Professional tools like Photoshop, CorelDraw, or Illustrator are perfect for this. Or better yet, work with a pro designer or illustrator if visuals are a big part of your book. A well-designed visual doesn’t just decorate it helps tell your story.

Step 4: Formatting – So It Works on Every Screen, Every Time

This one’s huge. Your book might look perfect on your laptop but what happens when someone opens it on a Kindle? Or a phone? Or a tablet?That’s where proper formatting and device compatibility come in.You’ll usually want to export your eBook in:

• PDF (great for fixed layout, like guides or design-heavy books)
• EPUB (flexible layout—ideal for most eReaders)
• MOBI (for older Kindle devices)

Test your book on multiple devices. Make sure:

• Fonts display correctly
• The Table of Contents is clickable
• Chapter links and hyperlinks work
• Images don’t mess up the layout

If your book is too large to send over email, tools like Adobe Document Cloud or Dropbox let you share it easily. Adobe even gives you a short shareable link super handy for sending previews to friends, editors, or agents.

Step 5: Indexing Help Readers Find Exactly What They Need

Okay, so indexing might not be necessary for every single eBook but if you’ve written non-fiction, a how-to guide, or any content that people might want to refer back to later, then a solid index is gold.

Think of indexing as the GPS of your eBook. Without it, readers can feel lost or frustrated trying to scroll endlessly just to find that one tip, quote, or recipe they vaguely remember.

A well-prepped eBook should include:

• A clean, clickable Table of Contents
• Hyperlinked page numbers or quick-jump chapter links
• Logical, searchable categories that match how readers think
• A back-of-book index (especially for detailed or educational books) with clear, relevant keywords

These features don’t just make your book easier to use, they make it feel professional and reader-friendly.

And let’s be real: indexing isn’t always fun or easy. If your book has a lot of technical info, specialized terms, or multiple chapters, it’s totally worth bringing in someone with experience. 

Prepress experts who specialize in preparing your book for print can handle indexing along with formatting and layout, saving you time and stress.

Give your readers the tools to get the most out of your book. A smart, searchable index might just be what turns a good read into a must-keep resource.

Use Prepress Services To Make All the Difference

You’ve already done the hard part writing your book. That’s no small feat. But don’t let it go out into the world looking half-done.

Using professional editorial prepress services ensures your manuscript transforms into a polished, reader-ready eBook that looks amazing on any device. 

Whether you're self-publishing, submitting to an agent, or sharing your story with the world, give it the glow-up it deserves with expert prepress support.

Remember, you only get one shot at a first impression. Make yours count.