Fonts in a KDP paperback: embedding, licenses and size

Every rule KDP's help pages give about fonts in a paperback, quoted with its page. Read from kdp.amazon.com on 2026-10-20.

A font is not embedded (must fix)

"All fonts should be fully embedded in all interior and cover files"
KDP, Fix Paperback and Hardcover Formatting Issues
"Every font in the list needs to show "Embedded" or "Embedded Subset""
KDP, Paperback Fonts

Fonts embedded as subsets, not in full (advised)

"We recommend that fonts be fully embedded, rather than embedding as subsets."
KDP, Save Your Manuscript File

A font whose license flags forbid embedding (must fix)

"the specific fonts do not allow for commercial usage. If so, it prevents embedding and printing."
KDP, Fix Paperback and Hardcover Formatting Issues
"won't embed due to technical or legal restrictions."
KDP, Paperback Fonts

A font you may not be licensed to sell a book with (advised)

"You are responsible for securing the required licenses for any fonts used in your book."
KDP, Paperback Fonts

Rejection Checker note: A font this checker does not know is listed: confirm its license covers a book you sell.

Fake (faux) bold or italic (must fix)

"a bold or italicized font was used that does not actually exist as a bold or italic font"
KDP, Paperback Fonts

A font KDP's printers cannot use (must fix)

"our system detected an unsupported font in your file and rejected it at ingestion"
KDP, Paperback Fonts

Rejection Checker note: KDP does not publish which fonts it refuses. If Print Previewer shows a font error, outline that font or replace it. Every font in the file is listed on the fonts lines.

Text smaller than 7 points (must fix)

"Minimum font size: 7 points"
KDP, Paperback Submission Guidelines
"Text should be at least 7-point font"
KDP, Create a Paperback Cover

Rejection Checker note: Words that are part of a picture are not measured: check that any text in your art is 7 pt or more.