Create a document with a single, consistent page size. The Scribd guide for writing, uploading and managing documents recommends a page size based on the type of document you are publishing. For a slide presentation, use standard letter or A4 size in landscape layout. While standard letter or A4 size works for shorter "list mode" documents in Scribd, a "book mode" document will benefit from having narrower pages. Scribd suggests trying a 6-by-11-inch page size for your book.
Assign one consistent margin setting to your entire document. Scribd recommends removing margins for headers and footers. With the recommended page width of 6 inches, your margins can be as low as 0.1 inch, particularly if your document is a chart or picture. For documents that are primarily textual, a 0.5-inch margin can make reading less fatiguing for your readers. As you gain experience with Scribd, experiment with margin sizes to find the best settings for your documents.
Choose your fonts wisely. Typefaces make the difference between an enjoyable read and one that is literally painful to decipher. Minimize different font styles, choosing one serif font, such as Times New Roman or Century Schoolbook, for body text and one sans-serif font, such as Helvetica or Gill Sans, for headings or table text. Minimize the use of script or cutesy fonts in your document except on the cover or title page.
Minimize the color palette for best results in a text-based document. Colors are displayed differently on different screens, and not everybody experiences color in the same way. It's best to keep the text of your Scribd document in black and white, for cleanness and clarity. Use bold and italics to emphasize text; don't use a color change for emphasis. On the other hand, color can add consistency and cohesion to a document consisting primarily of charts, photographs or graphics.
Create live hyperlinks if your document includes any Internet addresses. Add a link to each URL in your document so Scribd readers can go directly to the website.
Place your cover on the first page of your document. Remember that this cover page must have the same size dimensions and margin settings as the rest of the book. Because the first page also serves as the thumbnail for your document on browse and search pages, keep a 1-by-1.5-inch thumbnail size in mind when you design the cover of your book. Lettering on the cover should be clear and readable. Scribd recommends a bold, sans-serif font, such as Helvetica or Verdana, with a thin, black outline. Some serif fonts, like Century Schoolbook or Garamond, are also clear at the thumbnail size. Avoid script fonts as well as drop shadows and other special effects.
Save your document as a .PDF file to ensure that your document looks the same way on any system. Microsoft products and Open Office applications depend on the fonts and colors set on each reader's system.