PDF as an E-Book Format, Strengths and Trade-offs
E-books are published in multiple formats: EPUB, MOBI, AZW for Kindle, and PDF. Each has its own strengths. PDF has one defining characteristic that sets it apart: it preserves the exact layout its creator designed. No reflowing, no automatic reformatting based on screen size, what was designed is what appears.
This is a significant advantage for books where layout matters: non-fiction books with many figures, textbooks with data tables, cookbooks, design books, technical manuals. For pure text books read primarily on smartphones or e-readers, a flowing format like EPUB is more flexible for readers. PDF is the right choice when visual fidelity to the designed layout is more important than adaptability to screen size.
Planning Before Creating
Before touching any software, the structure and format should be decided. What page size will the finished document use, A4, Letter, or a custom size like 18 x 25 cm? What fonts will be used throughout? What is the overall structure: chapters, subheadings, a table of contents?
Standard e-book elements to plan for: title page, optional dedication, table of contents, introduction, main chapters, conclusion or summary, about the author section, and for non-fiction, a references or sources section. Establishing this structure before writing ensures the chapter headings correspond correctly to the table of contents, which is generated automatically from heading styles in most word processors.
Creating an E-Book in a Word Processor
Microsoft Word and LibreOffice Writer are the most commonly used tools for e-book creation. Both offer paragraph styles that ensure consistent formatting for all headings, body text, and quotations. Using these styles consistently produces automatic bookmarks and a linked table of contents when exporting to PDF, making the finished document significantly more usable.
In Word, the PDF export options are found under File, Export, Create PDF/XPS, Options. Enable document structure tags, bookmarks based on headings, and hyperlinks. These settings make the PDF accessible, navigable, and significantly more pleasant to read. The Word to PDF tool handles conversion when the native Word export option is not available.
Using Layout Software for Polished Results
For e-books with complex layouts, dedicated layout software produces significantly better results: Adobe InDesign, Affinity Publisher, or the free Scribus. These applications offer precise typography control, multi-column layouts, professional image management, and correct creation of accessibility tags in the exported PDF.
For simpler layouts, Canva Pro offers a practical middle-ground option with ready-made e-book templates, straightforward image integration, and direct PDF export. The output does not match professional layout software in precision but is entirely adequate for most content creator applications.
Images and Graphics
Images make e-books more engaging but increase file size. For screen-only viewing, 72 to 150 dpi is sufficient; for e-books that may also be printed, 300 dpi is the appropriate standard. An oversized file can be brought down to a manageable size using the compress PDF tool without visible quality loss for screen reading.
Image rights matter: only use your own photos, properly licensed stock images from services like Unsplash or Pexels (check each license carefully), or commercially licensed images. Using images found online without proper licensing is not permitted, even in self-published e-books.
Optimizing for Different Reading Devices
E-books are read on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The challenge: what reads comfortably on a large screen can be too small to read comfortably on a phone if the text is compact. A practical minimum: 11 to 12 point body text, generous margins, and a layout that remains readable in landscape orientation on a tablet. For e-books intended primarily for mobile reading, a portrait-format single-column layout is the most appropriate choice.
Distribution and Protection
Completed e-books distributed as paid downloads or free lead magnets benefit from some level of protection against unauthorized redistribution. A password that restricts printing and copying while allowing reading is one option. The protect PDF tool provides these permission settings. For free e-books used as marketing tools, the better approach is often a subtle credit note within the document rather than restrictions, friction-free sharing expands reach, which is often the actual goal.