How to Format the Graphics on a Kindle
Whether you are uploading pictures to your Kindle for personal use, or adding images to an e-book, care must be taken when formatting graphics being used on a Kindle. A Kindle can convert several different file formats for individual pictures, including BMP and GIF. For graphics inside a document or e-book images should be in JPEG format only. To format graphics you can use programs like Microsoft Paint, Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, or any other graphics software program.
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Instructions
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Set the graphics resolution at 72 dots per inch (dpi) with a maximum height of 1280 pixels and a minimum width of 500 pixels. This is the same for any graphics on a Kindle, regardless of their purpose. This can be done in the page set up options in most graphics programs. To make an image that fits within the dimensions of a Kindle screen, you can set the height at 800 pixels and the width at 600 pixels.
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Save the image in RGB color, or black and white. While at the time of publication Kindle devices have black and white screens, Kindle apps on other devices like the iPad support color. Avoid light colors whenever possible when using color graphics as they tend to bleach out when being viewed on a Kindle device.
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Save graphics that you are uploading individually to your Kindle, and not as part of an e-book or document, in JPEG, GIF, PNG, or BMP format. These will be converted when you send the graphics to your Kindle email address.
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Save graphics that are being placed inside an e-book or Kindle document in JPEG format. When you place the graphic in the document, use center alignment. Left or right alignment, as well as text wrap, will not work in a Kindle document. If you are making an e-book or document for your own use, you can place the cover image on the front page.
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Format graphics being used as a cover for an e-book you are submitting for sale on Amazon.com, such as through Kindle Direct Publishing, in JPEG or TIFF format. Do not embed this graphic in the e-book. It needs to be a separate file so it can be used as a thumbnail on Amazon's store.
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Tips & Warnings
To send graphics or documents to your Kindle for automatic conversion, locate your Kindle email address in the "Experimental" section of the Kindle. Send the file to that address as an attachment and Amazon will convert it automatically. Read your Kindle User Guide for more information.
