The Ultimate Guide to Converting PDF to Epub

In the 1990s and 2000s, PDF eBooks became the standard choice, facilitating easy sharing. However, their capabilities were limited to supporting links, text, and visuals, lacking interactivity and multimedia embedding. The turning point came with the introduction of the ePUB (electronic publishing) file format in 2007.

Revolutionizing the world of eBooks, ePUB brought interactivity, engagement, and seamless connectivity. Its integration of features like Digital Rights Management (DRM) ensured secure distribution. The rising popularity of ePUB eBooks has spurred a demand for converting PDFs to ePUB formats while preserving readability.

In this blog, we present a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for publishers, authors, and businesses seeking to convert PDFs to ePUB formats securely, swiftly, and at scale. Read on!

Table of Contents:

I. Why Convert PDF to ePub?

II. Tools and Techniques for Conversion

• Free-to-use PDF-to-ePUB conversion tools
• Value-added PDF-to-ePUB conversion tools
• Digital Publishing Suite With Conversion Capabilities

III. Step-by-Step Conversion Process

IV. Ensuring Quality in Conversions

V. Case Study of Successful PDF to ePub Conversions

VI. Conclusion

Below are the reasons why converting PDF to ePUB becomes essential for publishers:

• The PDF format was originally designed for desktop and laptop reading. However, with the widespread use of smart devices, readers now demand a file format that is more conducive to mobile and tablet usage.
• The ePUB enables superior readability on smart devices with larger screens as well as tiny mobile screens.
• They enable interactive features such as font adjustment, comments, search, and highlights.
• EPUB files enable the embedding of multimedia elements such as videos, audio representations, quizzes, and slide shows, like PDFs, which only allow text, images, and hyperlinks.
• Some eBooks are text-heavy, while others require a visual appeal. ePUB files allow publishers to choose a reflowable layout for text-heavy books and a fixed layout for visual books such as graphic novels or children’s books. This level of flexibility covers the spectrum of eBooks based on their specific layout needs.
• EPUB makes it easy to embed MathML (Mathematical Markup Language), an XML-based language that enables mathematical notation. Educational publishers can benefit from this feature when creating math, engineering, and science digital textbooks. 
• With the growing use of ePUB, publishers can bring out innovative, interactive, accessible eBooks in multiple languages, thus capturing a larger audience market share. 

Here’s a brief guide on how to identify relevant tools and techniques for conversion:

Such tools allow users to convert a PDF into ePUB, Word documents, PPTX, and PNG, to name a few. 

The technique is simple. Upload the PDF to the tool and click on the “Convert tab,” and the process is completed in seconds. Free tools may have size limitations. Also, once you upload the PDF, there is no guarantee of data security.  

Paid tools come with additional features, such as the capability to add annotations, PDF password protection, and the addition of watermarks. Just upload the file, make changes, and then proceed to the conversion tab. This is a more secure solution relevant to businesses like corporations that need to convert official PDF documents quickly and efficiently with value-additions.  

The digital publishing platform is a third category most relevant to publishers seeking to convert PDFs into ePUB eBooks securely and at scale. The entire process is automated, and the software leverages AI capabilities to optimize the conversion. 

For instance, superior cloud-based digital textbook platforms like KITABOO enable seamless conversion of PDFs into ePUB-based interactive eBooks. It not only provides a streamlined conversion process but also offers additional features to enhance the overall digital publishing experience. 

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With access to superior tools and techniques for conversion, we can convert PDF to ePUB files seamlessly, efficiently, creatively, and at scale. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide: 

• Begin by choosing a suitable conversion tool based on your specific needs and preferences. Options range from free-to-use tools like Calibre to more advanced ones like Adobe Acrobat or specialized digital publishing platforms.
• Register and generate your professional account on the platform.
• Identify the various PDF files you need to convert, along with multimedia elements you’d like to add since the ePUB format supports images, videos, and other multimedia.  
• Click on the “Import PDF” tab, select the PDF file, and the file will be imported.
• Select “Fixed layout” or “Reflowable layout” as per your needs. As a general rule, fixed layouts complement content that is heavy on multimedia and visuals, while reflowable layouts complement text-heavy books. 
• Choose the text font; either choose a new one or stick to the current font.
• Next, edit and preview the file. Add elements such as relevant hyperlinks, audio, videos, and visuals to make the eBook more engaging. 
• When you are satisfied with the final preview, click on the “Publish” tab. Your eBook is now ready for distribution. 

In this context, leveraging digital textbook platforms like KITABOO can further enhance the conversion process. The platform enables publishers to streamline the conversion process and enhance the overall quality of their ePUB files. 

A professionally designed digital publishing suite ensures that PDF to ePUB conversion not only happens quickly but also at scale. It also ensures that the content’s readability is enhanced. 

For instance, the additional elements such as interactivity and multimedia do not disrupt the user experience but contribute to making it a superior one.

Readers ranging from professionals to schoolchildren must be able to derive value from their eBooks and benefit from the functional purpose they serve. For instance, high-quality ePUB digital textbooks must be able to enhance learning effectiveness for learners in schools and universities. They must nudge learners towards self-learning and higher engagement in their studies. 

KITABOO is a leading digital textbook platform that comes in handy in this regard. It ensures the highest quality in ePUB conversion, with a focus on enriching the overall reading and learning experience. 

Project

Leading science learning company McGraw-Hill Education converted 100,000 pages from PDF to ePUB files through HTML editor in English and Arabic within four weeks. 

Key business challenges 

• A larger number of pages to be converted into interactive eBooks in a brief period. 
• The input PDFs had several gaps, such as incorrect trim sizes and missing pages, such as the cover, front matter, interior content, and glossary pages. 
• 40% of the PDFs needed to be rearranged before conversion into a fixed-layout format.

Strategic Solution

• KITABOO, a digital publishing platform provided customized Augmented Reality functionalities to convert PDF format pages into fixed-layout eBooks in English and Arabic.
• The process to convert PDF to ePub was fully automated. Further, batch processing was implemented to enable multiple-page conversion.
• KITABOO’s in-house team of experts sequentially added missing sections to the existing timeframe.

Key Project Benefits 

• KITABOO powered the creation of eBooks with the look and feel of the original PDF input files and compatibility with multiple browsers and devices. Learners were able to access the eBooks from any location. 
• McGraw-Hill Education was able to expand its product to global markets while offering its users a highly intuitive, engaging, and superior digital experience. 

Being able to convert PDF to ePUB files securely and efficiently is a growing need for publishers. Investing in digital publishing technology enables conversions at scale while also enhancing the quality and relevance of the eBooks being produced. 

Publishers can partner with a publishing tech specialist with a deep understanding of customized solutions to serve their unique needs.  

If your publishing business aims to produce high-quality interactive digital eBooks, partner with KITABOO. Leverage our cloud-based digital publishing platform, available in both a licensed version (one-time purchase) and a flexible subscription model, to enhance your PDF to ePUB conversion process and overall digital publishing strategy.

Write to us at contact@kitaboo.com for more information!