ePub format

ePub files is a free and open ebook standard which is cable to read in most of the devices that exist today. The format is designed in a way that is not reserved for specific paper size or unit but is instead scalable. This means that the format is dynamic and can be read on all types of devices, screen sizes, and font sizes.

All most all apps and programs allow you to change the font size bigger or smaller, after which the format will adapt to the change. This gives you multiple advantages, which is the reason why this has become a standard form to the market.

 


ePub files can be protected in two different ways:

 

Digital Watermark: 


If a PDF file is digital watermarked it has an inserted “imprint” a visible place in the file. The imprint contains the buyer’s order number in case of abuse of the file, it can be traced. This is also called an “unprotected” file. 


If the file is watermarked it does not affect the printing of the ebook, reading nor copying. 

 

DRM 


If the file is DRM protected it demands a special program to download and read the ebook on. This special program is called “Adobe Digital Editions” (ADE) and distinguishes from the program Adobe Reader, which is mostly known for reading PDF files on. 

If the file is DRM protected it has a limit of how many times the ebook can be printed, copied and a limit of how many devices your can download the ebook on. 

 

 

Open a ePub file: 


An ePub file can be open and download with multiple different programs.

Tales.as recommend “Adobe Digital Editions” (which can also read DRM protected files) or Calibre.

Both of the programs can be downloaded to Windows or Mac OS X. Calibre can be downloaded to Linux devices.

Besides the two recommended options there is also the following readers, you can use to read your ePub file on your phone: 

iPad, iPhone & iPod Touch

  • iBooks (installed as standard)
  • Stanza (http://www.lexcycle.com/)
  • Stanza is a ePub reader to iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch.

 

Andrioid devices

  • Aldiko (http://www.aldiko.com/)
  • Aldiko is a ePub reader to Android operating systems

 

Windows Mobile devices

Amazon Kindle

  • Calibre (http://calibre-ebook.com/)
  • Amazon Kindle is  unfortunately not able to read ePub files but we have created a guide to how you can convert ePub to a Kindle format.

Please notice: that you cannot convert ePub files which is DRM protected.

 

 

More about the ePub format:


ePub stands for electronic publication and is developed by International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF). ePub became an official standard in September 2007 and has since been through multiple revisions. The latest version was version 3.0, which was published in October 2011.

 

In short term, the ePub is an XHTML file that protects CSS to define the layout and structure. XML is now used to produce manifest, table of content, and multiple metadata. When the file is created, it breaks up into three specifications:

  • Open Publication Structure (OPS) – formatting
  • Open Packaging Format (OPF) – structure (XML)
  • OEBPS Container Format (OCF) – Zip archive which contains all files


There is adapted a workgroup, which has the obligation to improve the ePub format, in order as technology also changes. This will hopefully create a long set of possibilities in the future in the way we read ebooks. 

 

If you want to know more about this type of format, then please watch the

following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvGrFZdSDww

Visit the IDPF’s website here: http://idpf.org/epub

 

Published: 13. August 2020 Updated: 13. August 2020
Couldn't find the answer you were looking for?

We encourage our customers to try to find answers by searching or browsing our help desk, as it is the fastest way to get an answer to a specific question.
If this is not possible, you are of course also more than welcome to contact us directly.


Contact us