As your project title rightly suggests, John, you need a genuine expert in POD paperback cover resizing, and I believe I'm the freelancer you're seeking. Having worked for years as both a graphic designer and illustrator, I'm well-versed in handling all types of design projects, from simple edits to full-scale creations. Your project aligns directly with my core skills as it necessitates technical expertise with Illustrator and uniform knowledge over print guidelines.
I've dealt with KDP requirements a lot, John, because they keep updating their specifications, often catching authors off-guard. However, I consistently stay up to date with them so that my clients can relax and focus on creating meaningful content for their readers. This means I know exactly how to extent backgrounds and images, make crop & color bar removals like the back of my hand. Also, my propensity to deliver visually appealing designs while strictly adhering to guidelines sets me apart as an ideal collaborator for this task.
Let's hop on chat to discuss project deadline, budget and further details.
https://www.freelancer.com/u/mazae7669
Thanks and Regards,
Evan M