User`s guide

Publishing on Kindle: Guidelines for Publishers

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4.2.3 Requirement #3: Setting Images as Background Images

The images in fixed-layout books must be set as background images using the CSS background-

image property (instead of using HTML <img> tags). This is important for children’s content and comic

books because HTML images interfere with Region Magnification if they are not set as background

images. If background images are correctly set, the images will not open in the image viewer when

double tapped.

Content Recommendations 4.3

4.3.1 Recommendation #1: Applying CSS Reset

Apply a CSS reset to fixed-layout books. A CSS reset removes the inconsistent styles that browsers

automatically apply, such as font sizes, margins, etc. Adding a CSS reset, such as the YUI reset

(http://yuilibrary.com/yui/docs/cssreset

), removes these inconsistencies, allowing designers to build on a

dependable styling template.

4.3.2 Recommendation #2: Including One CSS File Per HTML Page

To increase page-turn performance on fixed-layout books, include one short, relevant CSS file per HTML

page. CSS files should only contain information that is directly referenced by the associated HTML files.

4.3.3 Recommendation #3: Optimizing Content for Full Screen

Kindle books are read across a wide variety of devices (e.g., Kindle e Ink, Fire tablets, and other

manufacturers’ smartphones and tablets) and a wide variety of screen dimensions. The 2013 Kindle Fire

HD 8.9” has a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. Design the content to maintain this aspect ratio, if

possible.

For the best user experience, Amazon strongly encourages publishers to design fixed-layout content to

maximize the available space of the screen dimensions. If the content has a different aspect ratio or size,

the Kindle devices and apps display it scaled to fit the screen, centered, and surrounded by a white

margin (letterbox).

Fixed-layout and other image-heavy content is more likely to be magnified because customers prefer to

read with Kindle Panel View or on devices with large screens. Amazon recommends submitting images

scaled to support at least 2X magnification with high quality. For example, if planning for the 2013 Kindle

Fire HD 8.9", the image pixel dimensions should be at least 3840 x 2400 (this matches the aspect ratio

and would support 2X zoom). Always use Kindle Previewer to validate the quality of the content.

4.3.4 Recommendation #4: Using Large Region Magnification Tap Targets in Children’s Books

The primary purpose of Region Magnification is to aid accessibility and is more effective when the tap

target is larger than the area being magnified. To enable a larger area, consider adding a padding of 20 to

40 pixels to the app-amzn-magnify anchor elements, but do not let the tap targets overlap.

4.3.5 Recommendation #5: Future-Proofing Fixed-Layout Content in Children’s Books

By definition, fixed-layout is designed for a single screen size. To future-proof your content, Amazon

recommends using percentage or em values instead of pixels or points for all positioning of text blocks

and Region Magnification pop-ups. Specifying text position or font size with pixels prevents the content

from scaling to new devices.

For example, the children’s book example at www.amazon.com/kindleformat

(under the KindleGen

Examples heading) includes a sample style sheet (style-150.css) that demonstrates the minimal set of

Kindle Publishing Guidelines Amazon.com 37