Atticus vs Bookfairy: from manuscript to print files and cover
Both turn a Word manuscript into a formatted book. Here is what each delivers for one book on KDP and IngramSpark, and what else comes with it.
Short answer
Bookfairy delivers the print PDF as PDF/X-1a and makes the full cover in the same account. Atticus has no cover tools, according to its help.
- PDF/X-1a print PDF$18 per book.
- Full cover with spine, plus barcode and publisher logo on the backMade in the same account.
- Atticus: $147 onceExports PDF and ePub; its PDFs are not classified as PDF/X-1a.
Atticus and Bookfairy compared
Compared task: print interior, ebook and print cover of one non-fiction book for KDP and IngramSpark.
| Feature |  | Atticus (one-time purchase) |
|---|---|---|
| Price for one book, print PDF and EPUB | $26.40220 tokens, first 10 pages free | $147 once for the licence1 |
| PDF/X-1a for IngramSpark | The print PDF itself, checked against PDF/X-1a:2001 | PDF export, not classified as PDF/X-1a36 |
| Print cover with spine and back | One print PDF with back text, barcode and publisher logo, all on the back, spine width from your page count, $12.00100 tokens | Separate file from a design program4 |
| Blurb, keywords, categories, A+ Content | In the same account, fixed price per book | Not listed; Atticus covers writing and formatting1 |
As of 8 November 2026. Atticus price as shown on atticus.io; IngramSpark asks for PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002.
Atticus, Vellum, Adobe InDesign, calibre and IngramSpark are trademarks of their respective owners. Bookfairy is not affiliated with them.
What each one is
- Typesetting from a Word file, in your browser
- One print PDF from one upload: PDF/X-1a:2001 for KDP and IngramSpark
- Full cover with front, spine and back, with the barcode and publisher logo on the back in the same account
What you get with Bookfairy
- The print interior, first 10 pages free in your chosen layout
- $26.40220 tokens for print PDFs and EPUB together
- Cover with front, spine and back, with the barcode and publisher logo on the back, $12.00100 tokens
- Translate the cover (same look, other language) $4.8040 tokens, new trim size $2.4020 tokens, audiobook cover $2.4020 tokens, swapping barcode and logo on the back $1.2010 tokens, changes in words $1.2010 tokens
Paying per book
- No licence to buy first and no subscription
- Blurb, keywords and categories for the same book at fixed prices, see the pricing page
Atticus
- $147 once for the licence1
Who it suits
Non-fiction and self-help authors who want print files for KDP and IngramSpark, the cover and the listing details for one book from the same account.
Frequently asked
Are the Bookfairy files compatible with IngramSpark?
Yes. IngramSpark's guide asks for PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002, and Bookfairy hands you a PDF/X-1a:2001 checked against the standard. Atticus's help says its exports are designed to be compatible with IngramSpark and its PDFs are not classified as PDF X-1a.
Does Bookfairy make covers?
Yes. At Bookfairy the cover with front, spine and back, with the barcode and publisher logo on the back is $12. According to its help, Atticus does not include tools for creating book covers.
Is Bookfairy a subscription?
No. You pay per book, with no subscription needed. Atticus is a one-time payment of $147.
Can I see the Bookfairy layout before I pay?
Yes. The first 10 pages appear free in your chosen layout, with a watermark.
Sources (10)
- Atticus, product page (accessed 7 Nov 2026). atticus.io/
- Atticus Help, How to format your book with Atticus (accessed 7 Nov 2026). intercom.help/atticus-5877e36564df/en/articles/…
- Atticus Help, Does Atticus create PDF X-1a files? (accessed 7 Nov 2026). intercom.help/atticus-5877e36564df/en/articles/…
- Atticus Help, Can I create my book cover in Atticus? (accessed 7 Nov 2026). intercom.help/atticus-5877e36564df/en/articles/…
- Atticus Help, Is Atticus compatible with IngramSpark? (accessed 7 Nov 2026). intercom.help/atticus-5877e36564df/en/articles/…
- IngramSpark, File Creation Guide (24 Aug 2026), p. 11 (accessed 7 Nov 2026). ingramspark.com/hubfs/downloads/file-creation-g…
- Vellum, product and pricing page, US prices in USD, excluding tax (checked 8 Nov 2026). vellum.pub/
- Adobe, InDesign product page, US view, prices in USD (checked 8 Nov 2026). adobe.com/products/indesign.html
- calibre, About (accessed 7 Nov 2026). calibre-ebook.com/about
- calibre, Download (accessed 7 Nov 2026). calibre-ebook.com/download