FAQ & Resources

What is AptaraDirect?

AptaraDirect is a convenient online portal that streamlines the content conversion and eBook creation process for authors and small publishers. AptaraDirect provides real-time cost estimates, online source file submission, project updates, online content review and approval, delivery, and payment processing. Using AptaraDirect, content from any format can be converted for any eReader, tablet, or smart phone, including Apple, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Android devices.

How do I use AptaraDirect to convert my content?

Simply register for an account, provide your conversion specifications, upload your content files via our secure server, and submit payment. You will receive a notification as soon as your converted files are available for review.

Learn more about how it works.

Is registration required?

Registration is not required to obtain a cost estimate, but is required to place an order. To get started, register here.

Is there a fee to register with AptaraDirect?

No! Registration is free.

What if I forget my user ID or password?

From the login page, click the Forgot Your ID or Password link. Submit your email address and we will send you your login credentials.

What are the terms and conditions for using AptaraDirect?

Review AptaraDirect's Terms of Use.

How does the Instant Quote process work?

AptaraDirect cost estimates are automated and based on the specifics provided in your quote request. Once we receive your source files, if there is any difference in the number of pages or images for example, that would affect the original cost estimate, we will notify you via email. In the event of an underpayment, your credit card will not be charged for the difference until authorized by you.

What input source files does AptaraDirect accept?

Acceptable input source files supported by AptaraDirect:

• Hard copy
• PDF
• Rich Text Format
• Application files (MS Office, Quark, InDesign, PageMaker, TeX, LaTex, ASCII)
• Markup language files (SGML, XML, HTML)
• Image files (tifs, jpegs)

NOTE: If your output format is ePib, high-quality uncompressed audio (.wav) files are also required.

If your desired input format is not listed, please email us at adhelp@aptaracorp.com. One of our specialists will be in touch to discuss your options.

I have my own set of guidelines and quality check parameters. How will you ensure my content is converted as per my guidelines?

Simply provide us with any special instructions in your dashboard message box, or you can send instructions via email to adhelp@aptaracorp.com.

What types of publications do you accept for conversion?

We accept all types of publications for conversion, including:

• Educational books, textbooks
• Fiction/Non-Fiction Books
• Journals and other professional content
• Cookbooks
• Children's books
• Miscellaneous publications

We accept all publication types, from novels and cookbooks to journals and textbooks. The only limitation is the degree of complexity of the content. AptaraDirect would not deal with publication types like newspaper conversion, magazines with large trim sizes, etc.

My publication type does not match any publication category listed in Get a Quote; which category should I select in this case?

If you are not sure about your publication category, you can select Other from the Publication Type drop-down menu.

What output formats does AptaraDirect offer?

Output formats available on AptaraDirect are as follows:

If your desired output format is not listed we may still be able to help you. Please email us at adhelp@aptaracorp.com . One of our specialists will be in touch to discuss your options.

How do I determine which output format(s) are available based on my input file(s)?

Your available output file type(s) is dependent on your input (source) file and the publication type.

Please refer to the following table of possible input-output combinations.

DEFINITION KEY
Y: Output is available at AptaraDirect
N: Output is not available at AptaraDirect
RF: Reflowable
FL: Fixed Layout
Sty: Styled
Unsty: Unstyled

Publication Type	Input (Source) File	RF EPUB	FL EPUB	RF Mobi	FL Mobi	FL ePib	Sty Word	Usty Word	DocBook XML	NLM XML
Educational Books	Normal PDF	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	Image PDF	Y	N	Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	Hard Copy	Y	N	Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	XML/SGML	Y	N	Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	MS Word	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	N	Y	Y
	Rich Text	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	InDesign/Quark	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
Fiction/Non-Fiction Books	Normal PDF	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	Image PDF	Y	N	Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	Hard Copy	Y	N	Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	XML/SGML	Y	N	Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	MS Word	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	N	Y	Y
	Rich Text	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	InDesign/Quark	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
Journal/Professional Titles	Normal PDF	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	N	Y
	Image PDF	Y	N	Y	N	N	Y	Y	N	Y
	Hard Copy	Y	N	Y	N	N	Y	Y	N	Y
	XML/SGML	Y	N	Y	N	N	Y	Y	N	Y
	MS Word	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	N	N	Y
	Rich Text	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	N	Y
	InDesign/Quark	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	N	Y
Cookbooks	Normal PDF	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	Image PDF	Y	N	Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	Hard Copy	Y	N	Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	XML/SGML	Y	N	Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	MS Word	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	N	Y	Y
	Rich Text	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
	InDesign/Quark	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y
Childrens' Books	Normal PDF	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	Image PDF	Y	N	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	Hard Copy	Y	N	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	XML/SGML	Y	N	Y	N	N	N	N	N	N
	MS Word	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	Rich Text	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	InDesign/Quark	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y

Does AptaraDirect provide conversion services for non-English content?

Yes. The following languages are supported

• Italian
• Spanish
• German
• French
• Portuguese
• Dutch
• Swedish
• Norwegian
• Icelandic
• Indonesian
• Malay

Can you make my eBook device-specific?

Yes, your eBook can be optimized for any mobile device.

What is device optimization?

To ensure that your content renders properly on eReaders and tablets of differing dimensions, AptaraDirect offers a device-optimization option. During your order, simply select the device(s) on which you intend to deliver your content.

Output Format	Device Supported for optimization
EPUB Reflowable	iPad, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, Android Reader.
mobi Reflowable	Kindle, Kindle Dx, Kindle Fire, Kindle Touch, iPad, Android Reader.

NOTE: Device optimization is available only for EPUB reflowable and Mobi reflowable output.

Is device optimization a requirement for my order?

No. If not selected, your output file will be optimized for standard eReaders. For fixed layout formats, content is optimized for a standard fixed layout compatible device.

Output File	Standard compatible Device
EPUB reflowable	Adobe Digital edition
EPUB Fixed layout	iOS readers
Mobi reflowable	Kindle Previewer
Mobi fixed layout	Kindle Fire
ePib fixed layout	Nook Tablet or Nook Color

Device checking (comparison of the print product to the digital product using the target reading device) is available for an additional charge and must be selected during the estimate process.

I am not able to select my desired output format when requesting my quote. What should I do?

Your output format is dependent on your input format and publication type. There are some publication types for which some output formats are not available on AptaraDirect. You can check the input/output matrix by clicking when viewing output file type options.

Does a CSS stylesheet support all tablets and eReader devices?

Yes, most CSS stylesheets support all mobile devices. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is an external style sheet through which a style is made once in an external file and applied in multiple HTML files to display data consistently.

Can I see examples of conversion or eBook creation work completed through AptaraDirect?

Yes. Preview samples that we have developed for previous clients in the Sample section.

What types of samples are available?

Samples of various publication types in all eBook and digital formats are provided in the Sample section. You need to be a registered member of AptaraDirect to download samples.

During manuscript submission, my Internet connection timed out before my manuscript upload was complete. How can I continue the submission?

Log in to your dashboard and click the Upload Files/Courier Files tab. You will be able to view the status of your manuscript submission. If your manuscript(s) are not shown, you will need to attempt your upload again.

I got the message "Session expired" What should I do?

Your browsing session expires when you keep the Web page open without any activity for an extended period of time. This is the default behavior of any Web-based application to protect a site from fraudulent users. You will need to log on to the site again.

Can I send submit a CD-ROM or hard disk to AptaraDirect to convert?

Yes, you can send your input files on CD-ROM, hard disk, or in hard copy. Our mailing address and applicable shipping instructions can be found in your dashboard.

Can I send you my input files via email?

No, source files are not accepted via email. They must be uploaded through your dashboard (once registered) or sent in the mail.

What are my online payment options?

AptaraDirect provides convenient online payment options by credit card. VISA, MasterCard, and American Express cards are accepted. The transaction currency is USD.

How secure is my personal information?

We use the most up-to-date encryption technology to ensure your account information is not available to outside sources. We never provide unauthorized third parties with information regarding how, when, or how much you pay. You can read more about our privacy policy here.

What are your terms and conditions regarding online payments?

Our terms and conditions must be accepted in order to access AptaraDirect services. Read our terms and conditions.

I want to cancel my order. How can I obtain a refund?

Cancellation requests need to be sent via email to (adhelp@aptaracorp.com) within 48 hours of placing your order. Include your order number in the subject line of your email. Please note that 20 percent of your total paid amount will be deducted as a processing fee. Cancellation/refund requests submitted more than 48 hours after placing your order cannot be processed.

I did not receive a message that my payment was successfully processed. However, I do see a charge on my account. What should I do?

Please contact us at adhelp@aptaracorp.com, with any questions or concerns regarding payment. Be sure to include your order number in the subject line.

How can I track the status of my submitted manuscript files?

To track your file status, log in to your dashboard, click on Track My Order, and click the View Details button.

What is the standard turnaround time for AptaraDirect conversion services?

For submissions containing fewer than 10 books, the average turnaround time is 14 days. For submissions of 10 or more books, the average turnaround time is 25 days. Keep in mind that these numbers are averages. Actual turnaround time will depend upon the complexity and volume of the content received.

How will I receive my final output file?

Once your content is converted we will notify you via email. You can access it by logging into your AptaraDirect dashboard and clicking? Track My Orders, to view deliverables currently available. Download converted content by clicking the icon .

I would like to make my eBook more interactive. Can AptaraDirect help?

Yes! We have extensive experience designing and creating interactive eBooks. Please contact us at adhelp@aptaracorp.com for options and pricing details.

I want to do marketing for my eBooks; can I get any help from AptaraDirect?

Yes! We offer online marketing services for publishers and authors. Some of the areas we specialize in are search engine optimization, social media marketing, email marketing, and online advertising. Please contact us at adhelp@aptaracorp.comfor more details.

What are your charges for online marketing services?

Our charges for marketing services depend upon the scope of services requested. Once we understand your requirements we will send you a detailed proposal with pricing.

How can I list my books for sale online?

Simply select the retail channels you wish to distribute to and we handle the rest. We currently distribute to the following channels:

• Amazon
• Apple
• Barnes & Noble
• Kobo
• Google Books
• Overdrive