Behind every beautifully designed book and seamless ebook is a skilled professional who brings stories to life beyond the written word. In this edition of Meet the Team, we’re excited to introduce Ivan, one of our book designers and ebook specialists.
Can you tell us about your current role at Tellwell and what a typical day looks like for you?
I prepare and finalize book cover and interior layout files to ensure they meet the technical standards of online publishing platforms like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark. I also handle ebook conversions, making sure each title is properly formatted and optimized for digital distribution. A typical day involves reviewing manuscript and cover files; adjusting layouts; checking margins, bleed, and typography; and verifying that all specifications align with platform requirements. I carefully proof files, resolve formatting issues, and collaborate with the team to ensure every book is production-ready and professionally presented before publication.
You work on preparing book files for printing and ebook formats. Can you walk us through the process from manuscript to print-ready file?
The process begins with reviewing the manuscript to ensure consistency in structure, typography, and layout. I then format the interior according to the specific requirements of platforms like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, carefully setting margins, trim sizes, bleed, fonts, spacing, and pagination to meet industry standards.
For print, I prepare high-resolution, print-ready PDF files, ensuring proper colour settings and spine calculations for the cover. For ebooks, I convert the formatted manuscript into EPUB or Kindle-compatible files, optimizing layout, navigation, and responsiveness across devices. Throughout the process, I run quality checks to ensure the files meet platform guidelines and upload standards, delivering polished, professional results ready for publication.
Are there any tools or software you rely on most when preparing files for printing or creating ebooks?
I rely heavily on Adobe InDesign for interior layout design, ensuring proper typography, spacing, margins, and print-ready settings. For cover design and image refinement, I use Adobe Photoshop to make sure graphics meet professional printing standards.
For ebook conversion and quality control, I work with Calibre to manage and convert files efficiently, and Kindle Previewer to test how ebooks will appear across different devices. These tools allow me to maintain accuracy, consistency, and a high production standard across paperback, hardcover, and digital formats.
How has your background in cover design helped you in your current role?
It has given me a strong eye for detail, visual balance, and typography, which greatly supports my current role. Understanding how design elements work together helps me ensure that both covers and interior layouts look cohesive and professionally executed.
Overall, my design experience helps me combine creativity with precision, ensuring every book is both visually compelling and production-ready across print and digital formats.
What’s the most satisfying part of your work when you see a book ready for distribution?
Seeing a project come full circle, from raw manuscript and initial cover concepts to a fully polished book ready for distribution.
There’s a strong sense of accomplishment in knowing that my attention to detail helps bring an author’s vision to life. Seeing the finished book—whether in print or as an ebook—confirms that all the technical checks, formatting refinements, and quality reviews have paid off, resulting in a seamless and high-quality reading experience.
For authors who are new to publishing, what’s one tip you’d give them about preparing their files for print or ebook?
Focus on clean, well-structured formatting from the very beginning. Consistent heading styles, proper paragraph spacing, and organized front and back matter make a huge difference when preparing files for both print and eBook formats.
It’s also important to understand that print and digital layouts work differently—what looks good in a Word document may not automatically translate well to paperback, hardcover, or eBook. Taking the time to follow platform guidelines and ensuring your manuscript is finalized before formatting can help avoid delays and revisions. A well-prepared file makes the entire production process smoother and results in a more professional final product.
Besides the technical aspects, how do you approach making each book visually appealing and reader-friendly?
By carefully balancing design, readability, and audience expectations. I pay close attention to layout, typography, spacing, and visual hierarchy to ensure a smooth reading experience, whether in print or digital format. My goal is to create clean, polished designs that enhance the story or content, reflect the author’s vision, and meet industry standards, helping each book look professional and inviting to readers.
What’s something people might not know about your role or the work you do behind the scenes?
Most people think book design is just about making things look pretty, but secretly I’m also a bit of a tech detective and puzzle solver. For example, a single misplaced margin or an unembedded font can cause a book to be rejected by Amazon KDP or IngramSpark, so I spend a lot of time making sure every tiny detail is perfect. Ebook conversion is another hidden adventure—what looks great on a printed page doesn’t always behave on a Kindle or tablet, so I have to coax the text into playing nicely across different devices. In short, I’m part designer, part problem-solver, and part magician making sure books not only look good but actually work everywhere they’re published.
