How do I upload a book? How do I upload PDF files? Can IngramSpark fix file issues? Uploading a new or revised/updated file is simple. When uploading a revised file, the entire file needs to be uploaded through your account. We cannot accept partial files, or files through Dropbox, or other delivery methods.
Book Has Been Available for Distribution and a Revised File is Submitted
Book Interior Revisions and the Cover File
How To Change Cover Lamination Type
How To Upload a New or Revised File
On Sale Date and Submitting Revised Files
Publishing Industry Standard for Revising a Book's Content
HOW TO UPLOAD A NEW OR REVISED FILE
File Revision
When uploading a revised file, only upload the file that needs to be replaced. For example, if you updated the cover file, only the revised cover file should be uploaded. If you revise both the cover and interior files, you will upload the revised file for each. We charge a revision fee for each file that is uploaded.
- Click on the title of your book; this takes you to your Title Details page.
- On the top left-hand side of the page, you will see a button “Upload New File”.
- A revised file cannot be submitted until the "Upload New File" button is there.
- Click this button and then attach your revised file.
- Click the “Continue” button at the bottom of the page.
- Once the files are validated and approved for processing the screen will update and provide the revision charges.
- Select your payment method: Press “I Agree”.
The system will validate the files and check for some errors (listed further down below), which may take a few minutes.
If the files are not approved for processing, the system will provide a list of the errors found within the file that needs to be corrected before premedia can process the files. The publisher can make corrections and upload it again as a revised file.
If you are presented with an error message "An unknown error has occurred attempting to validate your file; please, try again or contact technical support". Please select the back option, remove your files and reattach them.
If the files successfully pass the validation process, but premedia finds an issue with the file while processing them, the publisher may need to correct and upload the file again, as a revised file.
Revised files can be uploaded as many times as needed at no additional cost for the first 60 days the title is in production (approved for printing), then revisions fees will apply for additional uploads.
If a publisher uploads the files but does not submit them by clicking the Continue button at the bottom of the page, the files will sit on the account and will not be processed.
Turn Around Time for File Processing
The turn-around time for processing files for a new title and providing an eProof is 3 - 5 business days.
The turn-around time for processing a revised file and providing an eProof is 1-2 business days.
If you submit a file containing only the updated pages or corrected area, your title’s page count and/or printing will be incorrect. The entire file must be uploaded for your book to print correctly.
If your designer or a 3rd party will be uploading the files, please see this article for more information about uploading files: Title Setup
Page Count Changes
If your page count increases or decreases by more than four pages, a new cover file may need to be uploaded. This is because your spine width may change due to the page count alteration. The best way to determine if you need a new cover file is by using our Weight and Spine Width Calculator. You can use this helpful tool to compare your spine width before and after the page count change. If the spine width changes, an updated cover file is needed.
What Is Content Upload Validation?
Content Upload Validation is a PDF file analysis tool that can assess the quality of cover and interior files uploaded within an IngramSpark account.
This tool allows Lightning Source (printer for IngramSpark) to look at the PDF content uploaded and provide on-screen feedback to you about anything that could be detected in the file that could prevent or delay your book from completing the title setup process.
Content Upload Validation Process
When you submit a revised file for a book you need to make changes to or you set up a new title and upload the cover and interior files through your IngramSpark account, you will see the message CONTENT UPLOAD VALIDATION, while this tool checks your files for technical issues such as:
- Fonts not embedded
- File contains transparency
- Low-resolution images
- Spot colors used
- Damaged PDF document
- Color space used
- Password-protected file
If the file(s) do not pass the Content Upload Validation process, the system will provide you with a list of the problems found within the file that you will need to correct and then upload the corrected file.
If the files pass the Content Upload Validation process, but the Lightning Source premedia team finds a problem with the file(s) you will be notified by email of the corrections to be made.
When the Content Upload Validation function is performed, your files have not yet been released to Premedia for processing, so, there is no cost associated with replacing a file (revision) and performing a new Content Upload Validation.
You will need to correct the files and upload them again. You can replace and validate files as many times as needed. You are not charged a revision fee until you upload a revised file after you have approved the eproof. If corrected files are not uploaded, we cannot complete your title setup work.
Some of the items detected by the Content Upload Validation function will be things that Lightning Source can attempt to fix for you at no charge.
When this happens, you’ll see the following note in the on-screen messaging:
Corrections to some file problems cannot be 100% guaranteed. For this reason, we strongly recommend reviewing a printed copy of the final book when taking advantage of this free correction service.
If Lightning Source is not able to correct the file, for example where fonts are not embedded, you will not see any messaging offering the free correction service. Instead, you will be asked to replace the file uploaded with your own corrected version.
Should we find any problems with the file you will see on-screen messaging advising you to either correct and re-upload your content or, where possible for us to do so, we will correct the file at no cost. If there are no problems with your files, within 3-5 business days you should receive an electronic proof to review and approve.
If the files do not pass the Content Upload Validation process, the system will provide you with a list of the problems found within the file.
If the files are successfully submitted but premedia finds an issue with a file, you will be sent an email with the corrections to be made to the file(s).
The very last step of the title setup asks you to submit your files. You will see a display similar to the image below.
PUBLISHING STANDARD FOR REVISING A BOOK'S CONTENT
If your title has never been in distribution, any changes can be made to your title.
If your title has been in distribution, industry standard says only 20% of your book or less can be updated. Any substantial changes are not allowed, as they typically result in distribution issues. For example, changing from paperback to hardcover is not allowed.
*If you are updating more than 20% of your book, we recommend purchasing a new ISBN and setting up a new title on your account.
If your title has been in distribution and you only need to make minor changes, you may do so. Examples include updating a subject code, book description, or review quotes.
BOOK INTERIOR REVISIONS AND THE COVER FILE
If you update the interior file for a book that affects the way your book is printed, you may need to submit a new cover file. For example, if you want to change from Standard Color 50 to Premium Color, the weight, and thickness of the paper are different, and the book’s spine width will change. A new cover file with the correct spine width will need to be submitted to accommodate your changes and ensure the best printing results. Please contact support with any changes you would like made to the interior color & paper or the binding of the cover for a book and they will assist.
You should be prompted during the metadata change to submit a new file if necessary.
Any revisions that affect the printing of your book will also affect the printing cost of your book. You can use the online calculators to see if the print cost of your book is affected:
Print & Ship calculator for orders you place
Compensation calculator to determine if the retail/list price or discount needs to be updated
HOW TO CHANGE THE COVER LAMINATION TYPE
If you want to change the lamination on your existing title from gloss to matte or matte to gloss, please select the following:
- Select the title.
- Select the Print Info option.
- Select the ‘edit’ button on the right of the print information category.
- Make the change and click save.
*Please note that it can take 24-48 hours for the laminate type to update. Please review your title information to confirm the update before placing an order.
After your files have been uploaded and processed, you will have an eProof to review and approve (if it looks correct to you) through your account. You will also receive an email with a link to the eProof. Approving the eProof allows your book to be placed in production so it can be printed and/or distributed. To add distribution services, be sure to click the "enable distribution" button.
On Sale Date and Submitting Revised Files
Ingram uses the on-sale date to decide when to print and ship books to sellers so the books reach their destination by the on-sale date. There are several factors that are considered to determine when to start printing and shipping books, including the current print volume and the end destination.
You will not be able to edit your on-sale date 30 days prior to the on-sale date. Locking the date 30 days prior helps avoid lost sales.
Ingram may begin printing titles as soon as the title is enabled for distribution.
If your book has an on-sale date and you need to upload revised files for your book, it is best to have the final files uploaded and the eproof approved before adding distribution services to avoid file processing delays.
If you upload revised files after you add distribution, there is a greater risk your latest files won't be the ones printed and shipped.
If the book is listed as available on websites for pre-sales and you upload revised files, we pull the book from production to process and replace the files; this means it is no longer available to sellers in our distribution network.
Uploading revised files after a book has distribution services added can cause delays with the revision process if we have received orders from sellers and are printing the book to ship before the on-sale date. The revision will not be processed until all of the orders are printed and shipped. If we continue to receive orders every day, the revised files are not processed until all orders have been printed and shipped.
If you upload revised files too many times, too often, some retailers may give incorrect availability messaging on their websites. In this situation, you should contact the support team to help resolve this.
Uploading files during the title setup process:
- During the title setup process, the following screen will appear. After attaching your files, the "Continue" button will become available.
- The system will validate the files and check for validation errors
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- You can view any errors by selecting the "Download PDF with Error Details" option
- You can move forward by selecting the "Authorize" option and then the "Yes, Proceed with My Files as They are".
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- After selecting the "I Authorize" option, the "Complete Submission" button will become clickable. Once selected, a confirmation message will appear congratulating you on your successful submission.
Book-Builder Tool: New title setup
If you've reached this page but already have your print-ready files and do not wish to use the Book Builder Tool, you’ll need to delete the title from your homepage and restart the title setup process. When starting again, be sure to select the option indicating that you already have print-ready files.
- Once you have added your metadata, you will be able to select the “Build Your Book” option at the bottom of the page.
- You can either attach the interior and cover files, as well as an ePub file if applicable.
- Or you can create your files within the tool.
Please note: If you choose to upload a PDF for the interior, it cannot be converted to ePub format. In this case, a separate ePub file will be required.
- Click on "Review My Book" in the upper right-hand corner.
- You must complete each step by reviewing every page and selecting “I Accept” and then “Continue” to proceed.
- When you arrive at this page, be sure to click on "Finish Book", check the metadata and proceed with the submission.
- Once you have reached the file upload page, you can select the"Continue" to move forward.
- The system will validate the files and check for validation errors
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- You can view any errors by selecting the "Download PDF with Error Details" option
- You can move forward by selecting the "Authorize" option and then the "Yes, Proceed with My Files as They are".
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- After selecting the "I Authorize" option, the "Complete Submission" button will become clickable. Once selected, a confirmation message will appear congratulating you on your successful submission.
Submitting Revised File(s)
- Click on the title on your dashboard
- Click "Upload New Files" top left-hand side of the page
- The following pop-up will appear
- To move forward, you must select the "Continue" option
- Please only attach the file(s) you wish to have revised.
- Click "Continue"
- The system will validate the files and check for validation errors
- Press “I Agree”
Book-Builder Tool: Revised file submission
- Select the title and click on the "Edit My Files" button.
- Select the title
- Click on the "Edit My Files" button
- Select interior
- Select PDF
- Select the bin
- Browse and attach your revised file
- Click on "Review My Book" in the upper right-hand corner.
- You need to follow each step
- When you arrive at this page, be sure to click on "Finish Book" and check the metadata.
- Continue through the steps until you see the confirmation that your revision has been successfully submitted.
Once the revision has been processed, examine the eProof to confirm that the changes are accurate before approving your title. We also recommend ordering a print book anytime revisions are submitted.
As of February 1, 2026, it is free to submit a revised file.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If the book has been in distribution and a revised file is submitted, any orders received from our global network of distribution partners must complete the printing process before the revised files can be processed. If your book is selling really well, there may be delays in processing the revised files. Please contact support with any questions or concerns.
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