When the intended interior ink configuration changes, revisit the publication settings and inspect a fresh export under that configuration. Check available options and current requirements directly in KDP, then reconcile affected artwork, cover preparation, and estimates. A manuscript that passed review for an earlier configuration is not automatically reviewed for the new one.
Record the configuration being replaced
Start with a clear record of the previous and proposed settings. Identify the edition, trim size, paper choice where applicable, page count, and intended interior ink configuration. State why the change is being considered, such as a revised visual approach or a production constraint. This gives the review a specific scope instead of treating “switch to color” or “make it grayscale” as a single isolated action.
Keep the previously reviewed files intact while preparing the new version. A comparison is easier when you can identify which export belongs to which configuration. Do not overwrite the only reviewed interior and then rely on its old checklist. The project needs a new record showing what changed and which earlier conclusions still apply after that change.
Confirm the currently available publication options
Review the current KDP options for the intended format and marketplace. Do not assume that every combination supported in one context is available in another. Use the relevant formatting and submission guidance to establish the requirements for the configuration you actually select. Record the verification date and the concrete options reviewed so the decision can be revisited if the project changes again.
Avoid copying a settings list from another book merely because its general dimensions look similar. Page count, publication format, and other choices can affect the applicable setup. If the proposed combination is unavailable, resolve that production decision before adapting the full manuscript. The author may need to choose another supported approach or reconsider the visual content, and those choices should remain deliberate.
Review what the images communicate in the new version
Inspect diagrams, charts, photographs, and decorative elements according to their purpose in the book. A change in ink configuration can affect whether readers can distinguish meaningful elements. If an explanation relies on color alone, consider whether labels, patterns, or another clear treatment are needed. Review the actual output rather than assuming that a software conversion preserves every useful distinction.
For example, two routes in a process diagram may be distinguishable in the original design but difficult to tell apart in the revised treatment. Repair the diagram and its legend together. Do not change the illustration’s meaning just to preserve a convenient palette. Keep the underlying data and labels editable so the revision remains accurate and can be reviewed against the surrounding instruction.
Reconcile dependent production records
Recheck cover preparation using the final interior settings and current applicable guidance. Do not assume that an old cover file remains matched merely because the title and visible page dimensions are unchanged. Identify the production inputs used for the cover and confirm whether any need updating. Keep the selected interior and cover together as one reviewed package.
Update current production and royalty estimates for the new configuration rather than carrying forward an earlier figure. Record the assumptions without presenting the difference as a prediction of overall profitability. Also inspect metadata or descriptive copy that makes specific promises about the interior’s visual presentation. A change in production should not leave readers expecting features that the final edition no longer provides.
Review the assembled book under the new settings
Create the new export and examine representative pages from across the manuscript, including its most demanding visual material. Check captions, legends, contrast, and the relationship between images and text. Use the applicable publication preview and proof review as part of evaluating the assembled result. Keep observations tied to the new files and settings rather than mixing evidence from both versions.
Close the change record only after the relevant dependencies have been reviewed. Preserve any unresolved issues and the next action needed to settle them. The useful outcome is a coherent publication package whose chosen settings, visual instruction, cover preparation, and estimates refer to the same intended edition. The change is complete when those parts agree, not merely when a different option has been selected in a form.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers for this publishing decision.
Does changing the ink configuration always require new artwork?
Review the actual artwork and its purpose. Some images may remain useful, while others need clearer distinctions, labels, or a revised treatment. Make the decision from the resulting pages rather than assuming that every image must change or that none will.
Can I reuse the previous publication checklist?
Use it as a starting point, but reopen checks affected by the new configuration and record the new files they cover. Preserve the earlier checklist as history. Its completed status describes the earlier setup, not automatically the revised one.
When should the production estimate be updated?
Update it after confirming the proposed settings and again if the final export changes relevant inputs such as page count. Keep the marketplace and edition explicit so the estimate remains connected to the book being prepared.
What must I check, disclose, and verify myself when AI helped produce the book?
Review facts, rights, and source material yourself, record which parts were AI-assisted or AI-generated so you can answer Amazon’s disclosure question accurately, and treat every automated check as a starting point rather than a verdict.
See what the compliance checks cover