How to Install and Set Up Imprint Basic Edition for Windows Step by Step Guide

admin67410
Feb 12
3 min read

Updated: Apr 15

Getting started with Imprint Basic Edition is straightforward when you follow the right steps. This guide walks you through the entire process of installing and setting up the software so you can manage your Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) royalty and payment data efficiently. Whether you are new to Imprint or just need a refresher, this step-by-step tutorial will help you get up and running quickly.

Step One: Locate Your Downloaded File

After downloading Imprint Basic Edition, the first step is to find the installation file. This file is usually saved in your Downloads folder on your computer. The file name will look something like this:

```

Imprint_Basic_1.9.1_Setup.exe

```

Make sure you know where this file is located before moving on to the next step.

Step Two: Run the installation

When you double click the installation file, Windows will throw up a blue warning screen, just like the one shown below.

This can be alarming, especially if you have not run a great deal of Windows software that is not from a major publishing house. What this means in simple terms is that the executable file has not yet been approved by Microsoft. There are no shortcuts to this - it's not even as simple as us buying a licence to digitally sign the application because it also relies on a "trust score". At the bottom of the second paragraph on that warning screen there is a link that says More info. When you click on that, the screen changes to what you see below.

Once you get that screen, click the Run anyway button and the installation will begin.

First you select the Start Menu Folder (or choose not to create one) and click Next

Then you choose whether to create a shortcut on your Desktop and click Next.

The installation wizard will then display a summary of your choices. If you are happy with those, click Install, otherwise you can click Back to make changes.

The installer will then Install Imprint Basic to your Windows PC.

And once the installation is complete you click Finish to exit. Imprint Basic will then automatically launch for the first time, unless you uncheck the Launch box.

Step Three: Launch Imprint for the First Time

Imprint will launch for the first time when you complete the Wizard or, if you deselected the launch tick box, when you run it from your start menu. This will launch the Setup Wizard.

Step Four: Use the Setup Wizard

When you open Imprint for the first time, a Setup Wizard will appear. This wizard helps you configure the software.

You will see two options: Create a new publisher or Restore from a backup.
For this guide, select Create a new publisher to start fresh.

Step Five: Create Your Imprint Database

The next screen will ask you to fill in several fields related to your publishing details.

Enter all required information carefully, but especially the Home Currency field. This item CANNOT BE CHANGED once the database has been created. You should use the same home currency as Amazon pays your royalties in.
Once completed, click the Create New Database button.
This action sets up your database where all your royalty and payment data will be stored.

Step Six: Download Your KDP Statements

Before you can import data into Imprint, you need to download your royalty and payment statements from your Kindle Direct Publishing account.

Log in to your KDP dashboard.
Scroll down to the Statements section.
Download all royalty and payment statements for each month you want to track.
Payment statements are optional but recommended for accurate currency conversion.

Step Seven: Import Royalty Files into Imprint

Return to the Imprint application and find the Batch Import Royalty Files (XLSX) button.

Click this button and select all the royalty files you downloaded from KDP.
Press OK to start the import.
Imprint will display a message showing how many files were successfully imported.

Imprint Import Data Screen

Step Eight: Import Payment Files for Currency Accuracy

Next, click on the Batch Import Payment Files button.

Select all the payment files you downloaded.
Importing these files ensures that Imprint uses the correct exchange rates for your transactions.
If you skip this step, Imprint will apply default exchange rates, which may not be accurate.

Step Nine: Manage Authors in Imprint

After importing your data, click on the Authors tab located in the left sidebar.

You will see a list of authors extracted from your KDP data.
Select the first author in the list to review or edit their details.
You can set legal name, email, royalty percentage, advance amount and currency here.