When authors come to us for ebook formatting or print book formatting, one of the first questions they ask is simple: what’s the difference between a print book and an ebook with reflowable text?
A print book represents the traditional format. It is a physical object with text and images printed on paper. The pages are bound together, and the cover may be hard or soft. Once produced, the layout stays the same. Nothing about it changes.
An ebook works differently. It exists as a digital file that readers open on e-readers like Kindle or Kobo, or through apps on phones, tablets, and computers. Ebooks include the same familiar sections you see in print—cover, title page, copyright page, table of contents, and chapters. But although the structure looks similar, ebooks behave in a unique way.
The main difference lies in layout. Print books stay static, while ebooks adapt. Most ebooks use reflowable text, which means the words adjust to the screen. Open a Word document in “Web Layout” view and resize the window—you’ll see the text wrap to fit. Ebooks respond in the same way, shifting as the screen size or font changes.
Because the text flows, ebooks don’t use fixed pages. That doesn’t mean they lack page numbers. Instead, the device generates them dynamically. It calculates the count based on screen size, font choice, and file metadata. One reader may see page 200 while another sees page 320 at the same point in the text. The device also creates headers and footers on the fly, rather than pulling them from the file.
Navigation works differently too. Since page numbers vary, ebooks rely on a hyperlinked table of contents. Readers jump to chapters or sections with a tap. If they need to find a specific word or phrase, they use the search function rather than flipping to an index.
When it comes to design, ebooks also have unique considerations. Some devices don’t handle complex layouts such as tables, charts, or multi-column designs very well, so publishers often adapt these elements into simpler formats or images to preserve readability. Footnotes and image placement also require special care, since they don’t always behave in predictable ways across different devices.
Readers can personalize their experience as well. Most e-readers allow them to change fonts, adjust text size, and modify line spacing. Unless a publisher embeds a specific font, the device applies its own. This flexibility means the reading experience can look slightly different from one device—or one reader’s preference—to another.
Because of this adaptability, ebook formatting usually avoids elements that don’t translate well to digital screens. Tabs, excessive spaces, and decorative text treatments may not render consistently, so designers use cleaner, more reliable methods to keep the file professional and user-friendly.
Understanding these differences helps authors see how print and digital formats diverge. Both deliver stories to readers, but they do it in distinct ways. With professional formatting, an ebook takes full advantage of its dynamic design and still gives readers a clean, enjoyable experience.Understanding these differences makes it easier to see the transition from print to digital. While the two formats share the same purpose—delivering your story or message to readers—the way they are structured and navigated is unique. With professional formatting, your ebook will take advantage of its dynamic design while still offering a clean, enjoyable reading experience.
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