How much does professional book formatting cost?

Short answer: formatting a text-only novel costs less than formatting an illustrated or highly structured nonfiction book, and ebook plus print together costs more than either alone. Reedsy, a large freelance marketplace, reports that about half of the interior design and typesetting projects on its platform cost between $475 and $1,275, with an average of around $800. Simple ebook-only jobs are often cheaper. The best way to know your price is to get a quote that lists exactly what's included.

What makes formatting cost more or less?

Ebook formatting vs print formatting

An ebook is reflowable: the text resizes for each screen, so there are no fixed pages. That makes it quicker to build. A print interior is set page by page for one trim size, with margins, a gutter (inside margin) that depends on the page count, running heads and page numbers, so it takes longer. Many formatters offer a discount when both are ordered together because the styles carry over.

What should a formatting quote include?

• Which formats you'll receive (EPUB, print PDF, both)
• How many rounds of corrections are included, and the cost of extra changes
• Whether front and back matter, images and tables are covered
• Which printers and stores the files are prepared for (for example KDP, IngramSpark)
• Whether you get the files outright, and in which formats
• The delivery date and what you need to supply

Can I format my book myself?

Yes. Tools such as Kindle Create, and Amazon's own formatting guides, are free, and for a straightforward novel they can produce a good result if you're comfortable learning them. A professional is worth it when the book has complex elements, when you need print and ebook to match, or when your time is better spent writing.

How to save money on formatting

• Finish editing and proofreading first, because changes after layout cost time
• Use consistent heading styles in your Word file
• Decide your trim size and printer before layout starts
• Order ebook and print together if you need both

Inkswell Wright quotes every formatting project individually. See ebook formatting and paperback & hardcover formatting for what's included, or request a quote.

Sources

Platform requirements checked October 2026. Platforms change their rules, so confirm on the linked page before you upload.

• Reedsy: cost to self-publish a book (marketplace project data)
• Reedsy: freelance designer rates
• Amazon KDP: eBook manuscript formatting guide