You have a book in print, and readers keep asking whether it is available as an ebook. Or the print run is gone and you want it back in circulation. Turning a print book into an ebook is very doable, but there is a right way and a quick way that disappoints readers. This guide walks through the right way.
Step 1: Make sure you hold the rights
Before anything else, confirm that you have the right to publish the book as an ebook. If you self-published, you probably do. If a publisher printed it, check your contract: ebook rights may belong to them, may have reverted to you, or may never have been granted. For older books, rights can be more complicated. If you are not sure, ask a lawyer who knows publishing. This article is general information, not legal advice.
Step 2: Start from the best source you have
- Original files (Word, InDesign, or a clean PDF) are the best starting point. The text is already text, so there are no scanning errors
- A printed copy works too. The pages are scanned and run through text recognition, which turns the picture of each page into real text
Step 3: Scan and recognize the text, if you need to
Scan each page at a good resolution, keeping pages straight and evenly lit. Text recognition (OCR) then converts the images to editable text. It is good, but not perfect: old fonts, smudges, and italics all cause mistakes. Plan on a careful proofread.
Step 4: Proofread against the original
This is the step people skip, and readers notice. Recognition errors look like rn turned into m, or a stray character in the middle of a word. Compare the ebook text with the printed pages, especially names, dates, numbers, and foreign words.
Step 5: Format it as a real ebook
Most ebooks should be reflowable: the text adapts to the reader's screen and font size. That means proper chapter headings, a clickable table of contents, consistent styles, and images that fit. A scanned PDF is not an ebook, because it cannot do any of that. Books with complex layouts, such as cookbooks or children's books, may need a fixed-layout format instead, which is a different kind of build.
Step 6: Add a cover and book details
An ebook cover needs different dimensions than a print cover, because it appears as a small thumbnail in stores. Prepare the title, author, description, and any categories or keywords the store asks for. A strong description matters as much as the cover.
Step 7: Test on real devices
Open the finished file on a phone, a tablet, and an e-reader or e-reader app. Check chapter breaks, images, links, and what happens when you change the font size. Fix anything odd before readers find it.
Step 8: Publish
Choose where to sell or share it. Each store has its own file rules and, in some cases, identifier rules, so check the current requirements before uploading. You can also offer the file directly from your own website.
Which format should you use?
- EPUB: the standard format for most stores and e-readers, and the best reading experience
- PDF: fine for fixed layouts or handouts, but poor to read on a phone
- Other formats: some stores want specific versions or convert your file for you, so read their guidelines
DIY or hire it done?
A short, simple book with clean files can be a good DIY project. It gets harder with long books, a printed-only source, lots of images, footnotes, or complex layouts, or when you want it to look professional. That is where we come in. We have turned print books into ebooks, including Practicing War by Lane Sauser and Brother Sid by May Lamar. See our Print to eBook service.
If you also need forms or documents converted, see our PDF to Form service, or read our guide on website costs if you want a site to sell from.
Have a book to bring online?
Tell us about it. We will tell you the best way to convert it and what it will cost, before you commit to anything.
Common questions
Q: How do I convert a print book into an ebook?
Confirm you hold the rights, then get a clean source: either the original files or a careful scan. Run text recognition if you only have a printed copy, proofread for errors, format it as a reflowable ebook with chapters and navigation, add a cover and book details, test it on real devices, and publish.
Q: Can I just scan my book and upload the PDF?
You can, but a scanned PDF is a picture of each page. It will not reflow to fit a phone or e-reader, readers cannot change the text size, and it is not searchable. A proper ebook uses real text that adapts to the screen.
Q: What is the best ebook format?
EPUB is the standard format most stores and e-readers accept, and it reflows to fit any screen. PDF is fine for fixed layouts or sharing, but it is not a good reading experience on a phone. Check each store's current requirements before you upload.
Q: Do I need an ISBN for an ebook?
Requirements differ by store. Some assign their own identifier and some ask for an ISBN, so check each store's current rules. Many authors use the same ISBN scheme for print and ebook editions but a separate number for each format, so confirm with the stores you plan to use.
Q: Who owns the ebook rights to a book that was already printed?
It depends on your contract. If you self-published, you usually hold them. If a publisher printed the book, the contract may give them the ebook rights or may have reverted them to you. Check before you start, and ask a lawyer if you are unsure.
Q: How long does it take to convert a book to an ebook?
It depends on the length, the quality of the source, and the number of images. A book with original files is faster. A scanned book needs extra time for text recognition and proofreading.