Kindle Create for Fixed Layout Books: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

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Creating visually rich ebooks like children's picture books, comics, graphic novels, or cookbooks presents unique formatting challenges. Unlike standard novels, these books rely on a fixed layout, where text and images should remain precisely positioned on the page, just like in print.

For authors publishing on Amazon KDP, Kindle Create (KC) has become Amazon's go-to tool for this task. It's not only their current solution but also the official replacement for the now-retired Kindle Kids' Book Creator (KKBC) software.

But is Kindle Create the right choice for your fixed layout project? Let's dive into what it offers, its pros and cons, and what alternatives exist if you plan to sell beyond Amazon.

What is Kindle Create?

Kindle Create is free desktop software from Amazon designed to help authors format both reflowable ebooks (from Word DOCX files) and fixed layout ebooks.

Most books (novels, memoirs, and other non-fiction) will be reflowable, and there are better options for creating these books than Kindle Create. We compare a number of them in our ePub conversion training, which I recommend if your book falls into any sort of chapter book category.

Today, though, we want to talk about fixed layout books. For fixed layout projects, Kindle Create primarily works by importing a PDF file or a folder of JPG images for each page of your book.

It then allows you to add interactive features specific to the Kindle platform, like text and image pop-ups, before packaging everything into a proprietary KPF (Kindle Package Format) file. This KPF file is optimized for viewing on Kindle devices and apps and is uploaded directly to KDP.

Many children’s book authors previously relied on the Kindle Kids' Book Creator for their picture books. Amazon has officially discontinued KKBC and now directs authors to use Kindle Create. 

Key differences and improvements include:

  • Unified Tool: Kindle Create handles both reflowable and fixed layout formats, whereas KKBC was solely for fixed layout.
  • Guided View Panels: Adding the ability to flow from parts of your page (basically text and image pop-ups) can be crucial for readability on smaller screens and is built directly into the KC workflow for fixed layout ebooks.
  • Ongoing Support: As Amazon's current tool, KC receives updates and support, unlike the retired KKBC which hadn’t been updated in years.

If you previously used KKBC, you will now need to transition to using Kindle Create or another similar tool for new projects. And, while Amazon will still sell ebooks you previously created using KKBC, you can no longer update or create new books using KKBC. This means whether you want to create a brand new ebook or you need to make updates to an already published ebook, you need to use Kindle Create or a third party conversion tool.

Pros of Using Kindle Create for Fixed Layout Books

Why might you choose Kindle Create for your picture book or other fixed layout project?

  1. Free to Use: It costs nothing to download and use the software.
  2. Optimized for Kindle: KPF files are designed specifically for the Kindle ecosystem, generally ensuring good rendering and compatibility on Kindle Fire tablets, iPads, phones, and other devices running the Kindle app.
  3. Guided View Panels: KC makes adding text or image pop ups and region magnification relatively straightforward compared to coding them manually, allowing you to direct how your readers interact with your book. This is a major plus for children's books and comics.
  4. Simple PDF Import: If you already have a well-designed PDF (created in software like InDesign, Affinity Publisher, Canva, or even PowerPoint/Word), importing it into KC is easy.
  5. Alternate JPG Import: You can, alternatively, upload your book as a series of jpg images.
  6. Built-in Previewer: You can preview how your book will look on various simulated Kindle device types before publishing.
  7. Streamlined KDP Upload: The KPF output file is easy to upload to your KDP dashboard.

Cons of Using Kindle Create for Fixed Layout

However, Kindle Create comes with significant limitations:

  1. Amazon Vendor Lock-In (KPF Format): This is the biggest drawback. The KPF file created by Kindle Create can only be used to publish on Amazon KDP. You cannot use this file for Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play, or any other retailers.
  2. Requires a Well-Formatted PDF or JPGs: KC is not a design tool. Your layout, text, and image quality are determined before you import the PDF or JPG images. KC cannot fix low-resolution images or poor design choices in your source file.
  3. Limited Editing Capabilities: Once your book’s pages are imported, you can't easily edit text, swap images, or adjust layout within Kindle Create. You can add new pages, but any other changes require going back to your original design software, exporting a new PDF or JPG, and re-importing/re-applying your guided zones in KC.
  4. No Control Over Underlying Code: You don't have access to the HTML/CSS code, limiting advanced customization or troubleshooting.
  5. Can Be “Fiddly”: While simpler than pro tools, defining pop-up regions precisely can sometimes feel clunky or require patience.
  6. Inherent Fixed Layout Issues: KC doesn't solve the fundamental downsides of fixed layout itself, such as large file sizes (impacting KDP delivery fees) and a potentially poor reading experience on small phone screens or basic e-ink Kindles.
  7. Large File Sizes: In fact, I’ll repeat a part of that last point; KC seems like it is designed to create larger file sizes (which will cost you more money in delivery fees), and you really can’t just go straight from a print-ready PDF because you’ll want to optimize the images in your book before importing into Kindle Create. (Unless you don’t care about royalties and don’t mind giving Amazon more of your royalties in delivery fees, and never plan on running discount promotions.)

Who Should Use Kindle Create for Fixed Layout?

Kindle Create is a viable option if:

  • You plan to publish your fixed layout ebook exclusively on Amazon KDP.
  • You need the guided view panels for readability of your book.
  • You already have (or can create) an appropriate-quality, finalized PDF (or at least JPGs of each page) of your book.
  • You prefer a free tool and a relatively simple workflow compared to professional design software and the ability to customize your book.

Alternatives for Multi-Platform Publishing

If the Amazon-only limitation of Kindle Create is a deal-breaker, you'll need to use different tools to create a standard fixed layout EPUB file, which can be distributed to multiple retailers (including Amazon KDP, though pop-ups might work differently or require manual coding). Popular alternatives include:

  1. Adobe InDesign: The industry standard for professional book design (print and digital). It has a steep learning curve and a high subscription cost but offers maximum control. (It costs $35-$90 per month, though you can bring that price down to $23-$55 per month if you commit to at least a year.) InDesign can export fixed layout EPUBs…but they aren’t very good unless you are using third party plugins which are even more expensive.
  2. HTML/CSS Coding: For ultimate control, you can build the fixed layout ebook manually using HTML, CSS, and image files, then package it as an EPUB using tools like Sigil or Calibre. This requires a lot more technical expertise, however.
  3. Apple Pages: If you have a Mac (or are willing to rent space on a cloud-based Mac for a few dollars) then Apple Pages is actually a viable option for simple fixed layout ebooks as long as you don’t need the extra features an Amazon-specific ebook offers.

These tools allow you to create one fixed layout EPUB file that you can then upload to KDP, Apple Books, Kobo, and other platforms. Basically, anywhere that follows the current EPUB standards.

What Should I Use?

Kindle Create is a useful, free tool that effectively replaced Kindle Kids' Book Creator for creating fixed layout ebooks specifically for the Amazon KDP platform. Its strength lies in easily adding Kindle-specific interactive pop-ups from a PDF source. However, its major limitation is the KPF format, which locks authors into Amazon.

If Amazon is your only sales channel, KC is a solid choice, and while you won’t get the most efficient files from a delivery fee standpoint, it’s probably going to be your best option at this particular point in time. 

If you aim for wider distribution, then Kindle Create could still be a good option for the time being just to have something available on Amazon. If you have a Mac, then Apple Pages is free and you can create simple versions of your books for other retailers now. If you don’t have a Mac, then it might be worth learning one of the other tools.

Want to know how to use these software? Be sure to catch our live trainings:

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