How to Make a Simple Book Cover for a Non-Designer
By K. Harper
All Rights Reserved © 2011 K. Harper
Smashwords Edition
How to Make a Simple Book Cover
For a Non-Designer
To use this tutorial, you will need Adobe Photoshop. If you do not have it, visit your local library and often you will find it on their computers. You can also download it from Adobe on a Trial Basis for 30 days.
Steps for Making a Simple Book Cover
1. Find a Digital Photo that has a theme that matches your book. Make sure the photo is yours and that you have permission to use it for a book cover. For this Tutorial, I will use a photography of a lime tree for a Gardening book.
2. Open a blank Photoshop page. This is done by clicking on the menu FILE and selecting NEW.
3. Insert the information into the box as follows. It will at 3x4 inches at 300 dpi. Also give your file a name like “book_cover.” Once you click OK, it will open up a blank pallete.
3. Now locate you image and copy it (command + C on the Mac) this Image and Paste it (command + V) into Photoshop. You should end up with something that looks like this:
Option: You can also insert an image onto the palette it by pulling down the FILE menu (see below)
Troubleshooting: If you image is too large or too small for the palette, use the TRANSFORM tool to select it and change the size. This can be done by pulling down the EDIT menu, selecting TRANSFORM. You will then notice little handles on the corners of the photo. You can move these to make the picture bigger or smaller.
How to change picture size to cover pallete:
5. Once you have a picture that covers your pallete (all the white space), you can now pull down the LAYER menu and select NEW LAYER.
6. You will get a dialogue box that asks for a layer name. Name it “box.”
7. Your new layer should show up on the right hand side of your screen on under the “Layers” tab. If you don’t see it, pull down the WINDOW menu and select LAYERS.
8. Make sure the box remains selected (blue) while we draw the next item, a horizontal rectangle. If it changes, just click anywhere in the box layer again and it will return to blue again.
9. Go to the RECTANGULAR MARQUEE TOOL and select it (click on it) so the toolbox becomes dark.
10. If you only see a circle, or some other shape, then click on the corner triangle in the lower right and open up the box and choose the square option (below).
11. Now you are going to create a horizontal rectangle in the upper half of the picture. Click and drag the rectangle across your image. You will see “marching ants” moving on the line. That means the box is active.
12. Now go to the paint bucket and click on it
13. If you don’t see the bucket, peek under the small triangle in the lower right and select it.
14 Now move your curser (which now looks like a bucket) inside of the rectangle and pour (click). This is the black part (below) your image should now look like this. It’s possible your box is a different color. This is now the background for your text.
15. To change the color of the background, click on the color pallet and open it up (below).
16. This will open up the color picker. Click on the Rainbow strip and the big large color box (either or both) and select a new color. Try to pick a color to match your photo, and try to pick a light color so your dark text will stand out.
17. Click OK, and notice the color on the pallet changed.
18. Now you can click on the bucket and pour a different color onto the rectangle
19. Now you are going to type text. Select the TYPE tool (letter T) on the tool palette.
20. Select the color and size of your type. I’m selecting black and 36 points. You can also change your font (left box)
21. Now, select Center and put your curser in the colored box. You should see a big blinking line like below:
22. Start typing your title. You can hit the carriage return and put the second word below the first just like in a word processor.
23. After you are done, click on the checkmark in the upper right.
24. Notice that you now have a new layer.
25. Experiment with different colors and fonts. You can add a second layer of text a different size, color and font.
Do font edits in this order:
1. Make sure you are on the correct layer (blue box highlight in layers pallet)
2. Select the Type Tool. (T button)
3. Highlight the section you want to change by dragging your cursor.
4. Make the edits
5. Click on the Checkmark when you are done.
26. One you decide which one you like the best, SAVE AS a JPG file.
Happy publishing!
~
About the Author: Kate Harper is a product designer who is inspired by the merging of art and technology and is active in the new media, art licensing and DIY community. She is also interested in web based mobile apps, creating street art maps, and collaborating with indie artists on how to bring their vision into the marketplace. Visit her website at http://kateharperdesigns.com/ and blog for artists and writers http://kateharperblog.blogspot.com/
Other Publications by Kate Harper
How to Publish and Sell Your Article on the Kindle
A booklet for beginners on How to Publish and Sell Your Article on the Kindle, such as magazine articles or instructional materials. Topics include: Best practices for selling articles, how to determine pricing, pros and cons of book covers and images, how to represent articles accurately in e-Reader bookstores, tips for avoiding unnecessary costs and how to publish your article simply, without learning HTML coding or using conversion software. Many of these tips are also applicable for publishing on the Barnes and Noble Nook and Amazon Singles. Instructional Appendixes Include: e-Reader tips for creating table of contents links, how to avoid a common formatting problem, converting your article for a Kindle device, easy preview options before you publish, and a resource list of where to find free kindle books, podcasts, software and help forums. (8,500 words).
Other Booklets by Kate Harper
20 Steps to Art Licensing
A booklet on 20 Steps to Art Licensing that is a list of suggested steps to take for getting into art licensing. How to license your art to companies that publish greeting cards, and manufacture coffee mugs, magnets, wall hangings, kitchen items, and dozens of other gift items. This booklet covers 20 basic steps from how to prepare your art, to what companies to contact. It includes topics on: How to find agents, classes and what trade shows to attend. There are extensive resources on social media, licensing community groups, and lists of interviews with professional designers (5,200 Words).
7 Mistakes Greeting Card Writers Make
A booklet on 7 Mistakes Greeting Card Writers Make and what to avoid when submitting greeting card verse to publishers. Today, greeting card publishers are shying away from traditional stereotypes, and may even include pets as family members. This article talks about how to create a trendy card that reflects the contemporary world we live in, and how to use our own personal experiences to create great card verse. Topics include: how to avoid limiting the market of who could buy your card, when to use adjectives, how not to creating card for enemies, how to write like people talk and a list of why card sentiment submissions are often rejected. The good news is you can increase your odds of success by 60% by doing a few simple things.
BONUS: Includes a list of card publishers and their guidelines, links to writer interviews, and exercises for creating good verse (4,000 words and 9 Card Sample images).
Unusual Ways to Market Greeting Cards
A booklet Unusual Ways To Market Greeting Cards, and 22 places to get your designs featured. A booklet on how to get your cards noticed in non-traditional ways. Everything from why you should send cards to your dentist, to how to get special features in national publications. Great tips for designers who are starting out and want to get their cards into the hands of people beyond friends and family. Special Section: A list of 22 Gift Industry Trade Publications who seek out new greeting card designs and feature artists for free (5,000 Words and 17 greeting card images).