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KNOWLEDGE HUB / REJECTION MATRIX

Translate a distributor rejection into a repair path.

Match the platform, format, and message to likely causes, evidence to collect, and a verification sequence. A message match is diagnostic guidance—not a guarantee.

Amazon KDPPrint PDF

Interior file contains errors or does not match the selected trim size

Likely cause: The PDF page box, bleed choice, margins, or embedded-font state conflicts with the title setup.

Verify

  1. Compare MediaBox and TrimBox on every page
  2. Confirm the selected KDP trim size and bleed setting
  3. Check that every required font is embedded

Repair

  1. Normalize page boxes to the intended trim
  2. Re-export with the correct bleed perimeter
  3. Embed or replace unembedded fonts

Escalate: Escalate when the source application cannot reproduce the final page geometry or a licensed font cannot be embedded.

Amazon KDPCover PDF

Cover size does not match expected dimensions

Likely cause: Full-wrap width was calculated with the wrong page count, paper type, trim, or bleed.

Verify

  1. Recalculate spine width from final page count and paper
  2. Confirm full-wrap width includes back, spine, front, and bleed
  3. Inspect barcode and safe zones

Repair

  1. Resize the cover canvas from the current template
  2. Reposition spine text and safe-zone content
  3. Re-export without printer marks

Escalate: Escalate when page count is still changing or the original layered cover file is unavailable.

IngramSparkPrint PDF

Fonts are not embedded or file contains transparency

Likely cause: The export retained live transparency or referenced fonts without embedding them.

Verify

  1. List every PDF font and embedding state
  2. Inspect transparency and blend modes
  3. Confirm the PDF export standard

Repair

  1. Embed eligible fonts
  2. Replace restricted fonts
  3. Flatten only the affected transparent artwork at print resolution

Escalate: Escalate when flattening changes color, knockouts, or text rendering.

Apple BooksEPUB

Book failed EPUB validation

Likely cause: The EPUB container, package manifest, navigation, XHTML, CSS, or internal links contain a standards error.

Verify

  1. Run the current EPUBCheck release
  2. Inspect the first error before dependent warnings
  3. Validate manifest, spine, nav, and referenced assets

Repair

  1. Fix errors in dependency order
  2. Remove unmanifested or missing resources
  3. Repair invalid XHTML, CSS, and fragment links

Escalate: Escalate when DRM, fixed-layout behavior, scripted content, or accessibility metadata requires platform-specific review.

Draft2DigitalDOCX

Conversion produced unexpected spacing, headings, or page breaks

Likely cause: Manual whitespace, inconsistent styles, text boxes, section breaks, or floating objects disrupted conversion.

Verify

  1. Reveal formatting marks
  2. Audit paragraph styles and direct formatting
  3. Inspect section and page breaks
  4. Locate floating objects and text boxes

Repair

  1. Replace manual spacing with styles
  2. Normalize heading hierarchy
  3. Convert floating elements to supported inline structures

Escalate: Escalate when the manuscript relies on complex tables, sidebars, equations, or layout-specific typography.

Kobo Writing LifeEPUB

Navigation or table of contents is incomplete

Likely cause: The EPUB navigation document, landmarks, headings, or spine order are missing or inconsistent.

Verify

  1. Compare visible headings with the navigation tree
  2. Check nav landmarks and spine order
  3. Test every TOC target

Repair

  1. Rebuild the navigation document
  2. Correct fragment identifiers
  3. Align reading order, landmarks, and headings

Escalate: Escalate when alternate reading orders, fixed layout, or media overlays are involved.