When eBooks were invented, most of them could have different layout sizes. This means that the scale of the eBook page could vary depending on the device on which the content was being displayed on, may it be a laptop computer, desktop computer, iPad, tablet, or phone. Such eBooks are considered to have a standard or reflowable layout.
With growths and advancement in technology of the way electronic content is presented, writers and eBook designers are fast embracing a fixed layout technology. This simply means that the layout sizes of the eBook pages cannot be altered to fit on devices which they are not designed for. For example; a layout meant for an iPad cannot fit on the screen of a phone.
Fixed layout EPUB was developed with the interest of preserving the quality of content being displayed. This came as a result of the use of interactivity content such as animations, and videos in eBooks. Such interactivity features get their quality compromised when reflowable in nature.
How can you create a fixed layout EPUB?
There are various applications in place for doing this; we will, however, focus on Adobe InDesign which is one of the most widely preferred and used application by publishing industries as well as self-publishers in making fixed layout EPUB content.
After purchasing the Adobe InDesign CC application and installing it on your computer, below are the steps you can follow to come up with a fixed layout EPUB eBook.
Open Adobe InDesign CC application and create the document: Go to your file menu and select on new document. Change the intent from print to digital publishing which will automatically pick up the iPad page size. You can however pick on whatever page size you want such as the Android 10” size. The page size is of coz going to be fixed. You can turn off the primary text frame if you won’t need it for your project or retain it if you will be using it.
Select on the number of pages you want to create for your EPUB and make the document as much as you want it to be. It all depends on you.
Create your text content and interactivity such as images: This stage again all depends on the way you have organized your publishing criteria. You can start be adding in your texts to your EPUB pages and add images and animations later once you are done with texts; you can also finish creating one page at a time by adding texts and interactivity such as images you set aside for the page. It all depends on you, it is however advisable to have a blueprint of what you want to publish in order not to leave out anything important.
If you have interactivity inform of a short video clip explaining your content. You can add it at this point on any page of your EPUB. As you do this, make sure you select the movie format that is supported by most devices, such as the MP4 format.
Keep on adding your content to different pages until you are done
Proofread and export your work a fixed layout EPUB: Once you are done with creating your content. Proofread it to make sure it is free of mistakes and all that you targeted has been fully covered.
After proofreading, go to your file menu and choose export, then select on ‘EPUB (fixed layout )’ from the format menu.
After filling in a few details, you will be done with creating and saving your fixed layout EPUB content.
Want to create a fixed layout EPUB?
Kindly contact us or visit our offices to discuss with our team of experts on the subject. Make your content a hub of readers by converting it into a fixed layout EPUB. Remember! You can always request for free samples of our quality work.
