Creating an e‑book with Adobe Express (now Adobe Creative Cloud Express) is straightforward because the platform offers ready‑made templates, drag‑and‑drop editing, and a single‑click export to PDF—perfect for e‑book distribution. Here’s a step‑by‑step workflow you can follow:
- Sign in and start a new project
- Go to express.adobe.com and log in with your Adobe ID (or create a free account).
- Click “Create New” and select “Custom Size Graphic.” Set the dimensions to a typical e‑book page size, such as 6 × 9 in (152 mm × 229 mm) or 8.5 × 11 in if you prefer a larger format.
- Choose a template (optional)
- Adobe Express provides a library of book‑style templates (cover, chapter pages, etc.). Browse under “Templates > Books & Magazines.”
- Pick a template that matches the tone of your e‑book, then click “Customize.” You can also start from a blank canvas if you want total control.
- Design the cover
- Replace placeholder text with your title, subtitle, author name, and any tagline.
- Drag‑and‑drop images, icons, or illustrations from the built‑in stock library, or upload your own assets.
- Adjust colors, fonts, and layout until the cover feels polished. Save this page; it will become the first page of your PDF.
- Add interior pages
- Click the “+ Add Page” button at the bottom of the editor to create a new page for each chapter or section.
- Use Text, Image, Shape, and Icon tools to build each page.
- For longer sections, you can duplicate a page layout (right‑click → Duplicate) and then replace the text. This keeps the visual style consistent throughout the book.
- Import existing content (if you already have a manuscript)
- If you have a Word document or plain‑text file, copy the text and paste it into a text box on a page.
- Adobe Express doesn’t support bulk import of multi‑page documents, so you’ll need to split the content across pages manually.
- For large manuscripts, consider preparing the text in a separate editor first, then pasting it in batches.
- Fine‑tune typography and spacing
- Consistency is key: pick one heading style (e.g., Heading 1) and one body style, then apply them across all pages.
- Use the Line Height and Letter Spacing controls to improve readability, especially on smaller screens.
- Add navigation aids (optional)
- While Adobe Express exports to a single PDF, you can simulate a table of contents by creating a dedicated page with links.
- Highlight the chapter titles, click the Link icon, and set the link target to the corresponding page number (you’ll need to know the page order beforehand).
- Preview your e‑book
- Click the “Preview” eye‑icon to scroll through the entire document. Check for orphaned lines, image alignment issues, or missing pages.
- Export as PDF
- When you’re satisfied, click “Download” → “PDF Print.”
- Choose “High Quality (300 dpi)” if you plan to sell the e‑book or print physical copies; otherwise, “Standard (72 dpi)” works fine for screen‑only distribution.
- Distribute
- Upload the PDF to your website, email list, or a publishing platform (e.g., Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Gumroad).
- If you want a more interactive e‑book (ePub), you’ll need to convert the PDF using a separate tool like Calibre or Adobe InDesign, as Adobe Express only outputs PDFs.
Quick Tips for a Polished Result
| Tip | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Consistent margins – keep at least 0.5 in on all sides to avoid text being cut off on different devices. | |
| Readable fonts – stick to serif fonts for body text (e.g., Merriweather, Georgia) and sans‑serif for headings. | |
| High‑resolution images – use at least 150 dpi images to prevent pixelation in the final PDF. | |
| Page numbers – add a small footer with page numbers for easier navigation, especially in longer books. | |
| Alt‑text for images – include descriptive alt‑text (via the “Accessibility” panel) if you plan to share the PDF publicly; it improves accessibility. |
Need extra help?
- File handling: If you already have a draft in a Word or PDF file and want me to extract sections, summarize chapters, or reformat the text, just upload the file and I can assist.
- Design tweaks: Want specific color palettes, font pairings, or cover ideas? Let me know your preferences and I can suggest options or generate mock‑up text.
Feel free to ask if you’d like deeper guidance on any of these steps!