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

Getting started with Imprint Core 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 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 Core 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_Core_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 Core to your Windows PC.

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

Step Three: Activate Your License Key

When Imprint Core launches for the first time, a prompt will appear asking for your license key. You must enter this before accessing the Setup Wizard.

• Find Your Key: Your license key was sent to you in your original purchase confirmation email.

• Manage Installations: You can view your active keys, or deactivate an old installation if you ever get a new computer, by logging into your  https://app.lemonsqueezy.com/my-orders

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.

The first option asks where you want to store your Imprint vault files - this includes not only your database, but also defines where your statements are output and also where things like Contracts, Edition Cover Art and Author Photos are stored. You also have the option of restoring from a backup or , if you are upgrading from Imprint Basic Edition, to bring across your data. However for the purpose of this guide, we will set a new publisher up from scratch, so click the Next button at the bottom of the window.

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.

• Once completed, click the Next button.

  
  

  

The next step is the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ONE. Setting your home currency. This CANNOT be changed once you create your database as its used to calculate your multicurrency royalty payments. You have the option of setting this to GBP, USD, EUR, AUD and CAD as these are the only payment currencies supported by Amazon currently. Make sure you set this to the same currency that Amazon pay you in. Once you have selected your file, click Finish.

You should then get the success message. Congratulations, you have successfully set up Imprint Core on your Windows PC.

Click the OK button and you should see your Imprint Core Dashboard.

Step Six: Download Your Raw Data

Before you can import data into Imprint, you need to download your royalty and payment statements from your various publishing platforms. At the time of writing, Imprint supports KDP, ACX, Draft2Digital, Ingram (Spark and Lightningsource), Google Books, Kobo, Nook and Apple Books. If you have other vendors that we don't cover yet, please contact us via the form on the homepage. The instructions for KDP are shown below as these are likely to be your biggest sellers.

• 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 click the Data Import Hub button in the Left Hand Sidebar.

• Click the Batch Import Royalties button and select all the royalty files you downloaded from your royalty sources.

• Press OK to start the import.

• Imprint will display a message showing how many files were successfully imported.

  
  

  

Step Eight: Import Payment Files for Currency Accuracy

Next, click on the Batch Import Payment Files (FX Update) 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.

  

Then, click into your Dashboard.

And That Is That!

• Click on Dashboard view and filter your data.

• Set up your authors in the Author Roster page (follow THIS how to guide - https://www.moonstrucksoftware.com/post/how-to-manage-authors-and-aliases)

• Set up your titles, title aliases and royalty splits from the Title Manager page (follow this how to guide - https://www.moonstrucksoftware.com/post/title-management)

• Configure your company data and email settings (follow this how to guide - https://www.moonstrucksoftware.com/post/settings-configuration) Then work out what you are going to do with all your spare time.