Proof copy
Also called: proof, KDP proof
Definition
A proof copy is a physical printed sample of a KDP book ordered before the title is set to "live". Proofs cost only print + shipping (no royalty markup), arrive in 3 to 7 days, and let the publisher inspect bleed, gutter, line-art crispness, and spine alignment in print before any customer sees the book.
What is a KDP proof copy?
A proof copy is a non-public physical sample of a KDP title. KDP creates a "Proofs" purchase link inside the publishing flow that lets the publisher buy 1 to 5 printed copies at print cost plus shipping. The book is not yet live to the public when the proof is ordered.
Should a coloring book always be proofed?
Yes. Coloring books are a print-quality category: the value to the buyer is the line-art on paper. Issues that look fine on screen (slightly thin lines, mild gutter creep, off-center bleed) only show up on the printed sample. A 4 to 7 day proof loop catches issues that would otherwise become 1-star reviews.
What should the proof inspection check?
The checklist is: line crispness (no pixelation), gutter clearance (at least 0.5 inch of safe space from spine, art reachable), bleed alignment (no white slivers, no critical art cropped), spine alignment (front cover not bleeding onto back), color accuracy on the cover, paper feel against marker tests, and overall binding quality.
What is the alternative to a proof copy?
Some publishers skip the proof and rely on KDP's free Digital Previewer to inspect the PDF. The previewer catches obvious issues like bleed sizing but cannot show print artifacts, real paper feel, or actual cutting variance. Skipping the proof is a calculated risk on a series book where the publisher has high confidence in the template; for any first title in a series, proof.
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Related terms
Manuscript
The manuscript is the interior PDF file uploaded to KDP, distinct from the cover file. For coloring books, the manuscript contains all the line-art pages, any front matter (title page, copyright), and any back matter (about the artist, also-by). KDP requires a print-ready PDF at 300 DPI with embedded fonts and bleed.
Bleed
Bleed is the 0.125 inch (3.2 mm) extension of artwork past the trim line of a KDP paperback page. It exists so that small variations in the cutting machine do not produce a thin white sliver at the page edge. Coloring books with full-page line art must include bleed or risk KDP rejection.
Gutter
The gutter is the inside margin near the spine where two facing pages meet. KDP requires a minimum gutter margin that scales with page count: 0.375 inch for 24 to 150 pages, 0.5 inch for 151 to 400 pages, and 0.625 inch for 401+ pages. Putting critical art in the gutter leaves it hidden in the spine.
Spine
The spine is the bound edge of a paperback, including the visible spine strip on the cover. Spine width is calculated from page count: KDP's formula is page count x 0.002252 inch for white interior paper, x 0.0025 inch for cream. A 100-page coloring book has a 0.2252 inch spine on white paper.
Interior
The interior is the full set of inside pages of a KDP paperback, distinct from the cover. KDP interior options for coloring books include white or cream paper, black-and-white or color printing, and standard or premium paper weight. Coloring book interiors almost always use white paper with black-and-white printing.