How To Design A PRINT Book Cover In Canva | Step-By-Step Tutorial For Beginners | Amazon KDP

📘 Ready to bring your book to life? Learn how to design and create your very own paperback book cover using Canva in our latest 2024 tutorial!
This beginner-friendly, step-by-step guide is your gateway to self-publishing through Amazon KDP. Discover how to calculate and find the precise dimensions for your unique book, ensuring a perfect fit every time. We'll dive into sourcing royalty-free photos to make your cover pop, guiding you through the process of selecting captivating imagery. But it doesn't stop there-we'll introduce you to free AI software to help you craft the ideal blurb for the back cover, making your book irresistible.
Don't miss this updated tutorial packed with the latest tips and tricks to elevate your self-publishing journey! 📚✨
Get Your FREE E-Book: "THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DESIGNING AN EYE-CATCHING BOOK COVER": mailchi.mp/378...
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[@oldgiapetto]

wow....there are dozens of "How to use Canva" videos on KZbin, and I've sat, bruised, and tried to follow them. THIS ONE RIGHT HERE actually explains it. Thank you so much for your understanding, explanation and CLARITY!!

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! Glad I could help!

[@Master_Blackthorne]

Thanks for steering me to your more updated video. How clever of you to know that "The Wizard of Oz" began with sepia and not black and white. Imagine what would happen if Dorothy turned into a tree. Toto would see her in a completely different light!

[@relentless383]

This was awesome ❤

[@bookcoversdiy]

Thank you!!

[@cherylshour4842]

This is the best video I have found on this topic. Thank you!

[@bookcoversdiy]

Wow, thank you! Glad it helped!!

[@chrisl4676]

Thank you sooooo much! After investing a massive amount of time on interior book design, I was debating whether I had the stomach to take on cover design as well. I have photos, text, all the components, and a vision of how the cover should look, but I thought I would have to spend hundreds on someone to put it all together. After watching your excellent video, I have the confidence I need! It may take me more than an hour and six minutes, lol, but I truly feel well prepared to launch into the no-longer-so-completely unknown.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! I'm so happy to hear that this video helped you! You can absolutely do it!!

[@LASTDAYSWATCHMAN777]

The blurb video is soooo helpful. Thank you.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're so welcome! Glad it was helpful!!

[@MarthaFerro-e8k]

Thank you for your help. Thanks to your video my cover did not have any problems. It turned out beautiful.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! Glad it helped, and congrats on designing your cover!!

[@amadanesi632]

This is a fantastic tutorial. You should write that story; the cover is exceptional! It's exactly what I needed! Thank you. And your voice is so soothing - I could listen all day.

[@bookcoversdiy]

Wow, thank you! So glad to hear that this vid helped you!!

[@artimmius]

Thank you so much. This is brilliant. I can't tell you how much heartache and anguish you have saved me. KDP Cover creator almost drove me insane. This just saved my life.

[@bookcoversdiy]

Yay! I'm so happy to hear that my tutorial helped you! Thanks for your feedback; it made my day!!

[@thefreemanexperience]

You just saved a man's life right here, how do you feel?@@bookcoversdiy

[@oldgiapetto]

Ten years ago the Kindle Create Space , prior to KDP, cover app actually worked and gave us choices.... it's been "upgraded" to a point where it's about worthless.

[@martiduerksenchronic7648]

Great tutorial! Thanks for taking the time and for being so thorough with all of the little steps instead of how to do this in 10 minutes! I just sat there saying, "How did they do that?" with those!! I'm a real newbie!

[@bookcoversdiy]

You are very welcome! So glad it helped! Thanks for watching and commenting!!

[@HarryOsirian]

Elaborate and helpful. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Much appreciated 🙏🏻

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting!!

[@HarryOsirian]

@@bookcoversdiy 🙏🏻

[@RoyalBard]

Thank you for your tutorial, by far the best youtube explanation of Amazon KDP. Other tutorials on this topic are hosted by people who talk too fast while their cursors whiz crazily all over the screen. Yours is presented in a clear, methodical manner. Great job.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@nigelherrera4096]

LIFE SAVER, I have been so lost but you made it so simple and easy to follow 🙏

[@bookcoversdiy]

Glad it helped!

[@sylviecaron6869]

I am brand new in the book cover creation and your explanation was very very clear! Just what I needed. I've listened to other youtube videos, but I was finaly able to do my book cover with you. THANK YOU SO MUCH! You are very good at teaching. 🙂

[@bookcoversdiy]

You are very welcome!! So glad to hear my video helped you! Thanks for the kind words!! 😊

[@DenitresB]

I've been trying to self-publish my first book and have been rejected by KDP a few times now, so I thank you so much for your detailed tutorial!!! 💕💕

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're so welcome!

[@natureASMRfarsh4863]

Can we used Ai generated image for cover page, please clarify

[@bookcoversdiy]

Here's the link for Canva's AI policies for more info: www.canva.com/policies/ai-product-terms/ . Scroll down to this section: CONTENT CO-AUTHORED WITH AI PRODUCTS: You may publish first-party written content (e.g., a book) created in part with AI Products under the following conditions:

[@tjackson0107]

Amazing tutorial thank you. Do you think you could also show us the best way to format the interior pages of the book alongside this cover when uploading to KDP?

[@jamesdoddjr.7323]

It's refreshing to view such a professional and detailed tutorial. Your cover is amazing!

[@bookcoversdiy]

Thank you so much!

[@paddlercamper]

THANK YOU so much! I have been totally lost with this whole self-publishing thing, and so this was much needed! Excellent job!

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're so welcome! Glad it was helpful!! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ViciousNarwhal]

Thank you so much for this video. You made it so much easier to create a cover, I didn't have a clue what I was doing. THANKS SO MUCH!!!

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! So glad it helped!!

[@gerryfoley4673]

Excellent tutorial. I sat down and followed all of the clear instructions given and created a book cover for a collection of short stories that I intend to self-published on Amazon. I am very pleased with the way it has turned out, it is like a dream come true. Brilliant job.

[@bookcoversdiy]

Thank you for the kind words! I'm so happy to hear that the tutorial helped you!

[@JamesSedgwick-jp6hh]

The cover looks amazing! I agree with you about today's covers. They all look basically the same. This one stands out really well.

[@bookcoversdiy]

Thanks! Yeah, it's really sad that it's becoming difficult to tell between different genres when looking at books in the stores. I miss the old cover designs.

[@JamesSedgwick-jp6hh]

I miss the older covers too.

[@TheSouthernPilot]

You are an excellent instructor. I am very grateful! Thank You for doing this for all your viewers! Mike W

[@bookcoversdiy]

Awww, thank you for the kind words! You are very welcome! I know how confusing and frustrating it can be to create a book cover, so I wanted to help some fellow authors.

[@SeeMore1212]

I've just finished creating my book cover following the step by step guide in this video...❤❤❤

[@bookcoversdiy]

Wonderful! Congrats!! So glad it helped!

[@deedeejones26]

Many thanks for the excellent detail in your tutorial. I followed along step by step and creative an outstanding cover!

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome!! Glad it helped!

[@HeartEchoInspirations]

Loved your video very straight forward and detailed 🙌🏾💯

[@bookcoversdiy]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!!

[@valerievaddhanayana9762]

Thank you so much. I have learned a lot. I hope to finish my book one day.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You are so welcome!! I'm so happy to hear that my video helped you!!

[@JQRose]

Thank you for the update! That layering technique is golden! And I learned a lot by watching how you use GPT. So excited to create new book covers for my books.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're so welcome!! Glad to have been able to help!!

[@sandrajohnsonbrown2556]

Just came across this video. Oh wow!!! Talk about excellence. You just save me from anxiety and stress. Thankyou 😊

[@bookcoversdiy]

Wow! Thanks for the kind words! I'm so glad to hear this video was able to help you!

[@infra5engineersbuilders313]

Simply superb

[@bookcoversdiy]

Thank you!!

[@tammybee9]

This was great! Thank you! You walked me through creating a book cover - couldn't have done it without you!

[@bookcoversdiy]

You are so welcome! I'm glad to hear that this video helped! Thanks for your feedback and congrats on your book!

[@karenrosekobylka]

I have watched numerous other videos from other creators and this by far is the best one! Thank you!

[@bookcoversdiy]

Wow, thanks!

[@bakrigismalla4569]

just thank you.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're welcome!

[@jessplays32]

all I can say is Girl you have saved my life. I made my first cover and it turned out great. The best cover I ever made thanks to you. Thank you so much I have subscribed for life. Thank again.

[@bookcoversdiy]

YAY!!! You're very welcome! It makes my day to hear that my tutorial helped you!! Thanks for subbing!!!

[@connieb.475]

Thank you so much!! I appreciate your expertise!!

[@bookcoversdiy]

You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful!!

[@WinterHawk]

Thanks again, you did another great job of explaining the new version!

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching and commenting!!

[@KarenBrungardt]

This is a great video and I learned SO MUCH! Thank you for making it.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! So glad it helped!!

[@KarenBrungardt]

@@bookcoversdiy It really did help. You might mention at some point that the bar code on the template doesn't really exist except to show it's location so people don't check "I have a barcode already" box on KDP. (ask me how I know, haha).

[@philinelehmann3654]

Thanks for posting this! It helped a lot!

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome!! Glad it helped! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@user-mysterywriter]

Great tutorial! I was really impressed with your overall explanation of the process. I will definitely come back for more videos like this. Thank you!👍

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome!! Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@aestheticmagazine2505]

Great tutorial, it was an enjoyable experience learning from you ❤️😊 thankyou

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@aestheticmagazine2505]

I really did. Also i wanted to ask, can you make a video regarding link between page count and the interior trim size, for example if the page count is 360 then 6×9 interior trim size is okay. But what if page count is different. Like how can we decide interior trim size for different page counts ?

[@hilarycoombes7573]

Thank you so very much. I've never been able to understand/use Canva before and you are an excellent tutor. My book has been written, edited and ready ,but my hesitation has been the ability to actually produce the cover ... your step by step approach is perfect. The only trouble I had was somehow I lost the template (no idea how) so several things I couldn't do, but I'll start a new cover if the one I've made is of no use. Thanks again.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! If the file is lost, try checking your downloads on your computer. If the layer got lost in Canva, you should be able to find the template again in the "Uploads" tab. I hope that helps, and congrats on completing your book!!

[@hilarycoombes7573]

Thank you. And thank you for taking the trouble to reply. You're a star.

[@Dobieiksnak]

Great video. You are a great teacher!

[@bookcoversdiy]

Thanks! I really appreciate that!

[@victoriavass9945]

Thank you so much.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're welcome!!

[@MorganBeacham]

Thank you for this! I'm working on my cover and there were lots of great tips in your video! :)

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@aestheticmagazine2505]

Love your work, can you please make a kdp book mockup video, (front, back, spine) in one pic

[@bookcoversdiy]

Thanks! I currently have a 3D mockup tutorial but it only shows the front. I'll see about adding an updated one to my list of to-do videos. In the meantime, here's the link to the 3D mockup vid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH69gXacob-ipJo Enjoy!

[@aestheticmagazine2505]

Surely i will follow. Also i wanted to ask, can you make a video regarding link between page count and the interior trim size, for example if the page count is 360 then 6×9 interior trim size is okay. But what if page count is different. Like how can we decide interior trim size for different page counts ?

[@brendacooper1346]

Thank you, what a great tutorial

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@paustinheaton]

Thank you SO much! You made the process easy to follow. 🥰❤

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! So glad to hear that it helped you!!

[@Dr.RajivSinghal]

Nicest video on book cover design Thanks 🎉🎉🎉

[@bookcoversdiy]

Most welcome 😊

[@authormadhuritamse]

Simply amazing. I loved the way you explained it all and even if its a dummy cover, it's come out so beautifully. Keep up with your amazing work :)

[@bookcoversdiy]

Thank you so much!! Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@SheeshMaGeesh]

Thank you so much. This has been very helpful. Your tutorial was very clear and easy to understand. Again thank you so much!

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! I'm so glad to hear that it helped you! Thanks for commenting!!

[@sheldonstclair371]

brilliant, brilliant video. thank you so much. created my book cover.

[@bookcoversdiy]

Fantastic! So glad it helped!! Thank you for the kind words!

[@ElizabethHurtado-cm5sx]

Thank you for sharing your video I got frustrated trying to launch 🚀 my 1st children’s book.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! And congrats on your book!! I also have a children's book cover tutorial if you'd like to check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqGWqH2XarB3ndE

[@patriciadanna7433]

Fantastic video! Easy to follow and understand explanations. Thanks.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome!

[@2dogbull]

Thank you for sharing this vital information. Does what you share in this video presentation apply to eBooks? Thank you. Craig

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! It's actually a lot easier to create the ebook covers since you don't have to worry about the printing dimensions. Canva also has a blank ebook template that you can start your design with on their website. Just type "book cover" into the search bar after you have logged into Canva.

[@El-gibor-eo4rx]

Wawuuuuu! you are an Awesome Instructor. Thanks, beautiful, for this tutorial.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You are so welcome! Glad it helped!!

[@lanatedford3569]

I loved loved this video! Well done! You are such a good teacher. I have watched a few videos and yours is by far the best that I have seen so far! You explain the smallest of details like unzipping your file to load onto Canva. This has been hard to find. I do have a few questions if you don't mind. I didn't quite understand the layering and why you used that? The template you got from the calculator. Why did you have to put your design on top, why couldn't you have deleted the template (words) and then make your design? Thank you in advance for your answers or anyone else who can. Also i definitely will like and subscribe.

[@bookcoversdiy]

Thank you so much! Great question! Sure, I can explain the template. Whenever you are publishing with Amazon KDP, they require you to create a custom template for your specific book. They use that template in the printing process so if you have any important images or text in the margins, barcode area, and guidelines, your book will be rejected. This is the most common problem people encounter when self-publishing through KDP. During the tutorial, I repeatedly bring it to the top layer to ensure every element is inside the "safe area" because it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of designing and forget about these guidelines. But, you can definitely delete the template layer in the end before saving your file since it's no longer needed. Hope this helps and thanks for liking and subscribing!!

[@esha9371]

Hi, You have explained so so beautifully🤗 Thanks a lot. It was so easy to follow. as you went step by step covering minute detail. 😍

[@bookcoversdiy]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching and for your kind feedback!!

[@MonicaRicciCoach]

Very helpful. I"m still confounded by figuring out an accurate page count. Is there another way besides Scrivener that you can figure it out? Thanks in advance!! :)

[@izui333]

VERY ... VERY INFORMATIVE.... THANK YOU.!!!

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're so welcome!! Glad it was helpful!

[@annekeretief1414]

I am impressed

[@bookcoversdiy]

Thanks!

[@toniwright4082]

Excellent teacher, awesome.

[@bookcoversdiy]

Wow, thank you!

[@melaniesera33]

This so helpful!! Thank you!! I'm wondering if it's possible to make the inside cover and back in the same way? I suppose it would be printed double sided then? And if so, would the inside front be on the left hand or right hand side of the next sheet? :)

[@traveltipsvideos3016]

Hi, this is a fantastic video tutorial. I am getting a graphic designer to design the front cover of an A4-sized coloring book for me. What aspect ratio, and physical dimensions (in inches) shall I ask her to produce? After seeing your video, I can insert the title and other text on the front and back cover myself. Thank you in advance.

[@bookcoversdiy]

Sounds great! It would all depend on the exact number of pages, including front and back matter. The best thing to do is to watch the first part of this tutorial again while in the Amazon KDP Cover Calculator and enter all your coloring book specifications. It will then create a template you can provide your graphic designer. Hope that helps!

[@SmilaRulete]

Hello! I just watched your video and i want to thank you for this content. How will you make the inner content of your ebook? What are you using?

[@shahidwiggins]

Great video! Thank you!

[@bookcoversdiy]

You are very welcome!

[@johnlocke7097]

How would you find out the page numbers before going into Canva? Would you change the page size and font in Word beforehand? Excellent video, thank you.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome! Yes, you would change the page size and font in Word first to know the accurate numbers before going into the Amazon KDP Calculator. Hope that helps.

[@johnlocke7097]

Thank you @@bookcoversdiy

[@bob51502001]

Best how to I've found TY. I do however still can't figure out why my outside Canva designs won't fit. The top or bottom get cut off when I stretch the created image😢

[@bookcoversdiy]

Thank you! Hmmm, let's see...here are a few tips that might help (from the top of my head): Check if the orientation of the photo matches the orientation of the book cover (portrait = portrait). And make sure to only pull/stretch from the dots in the corners because the top and side lines will crop the image when stretching. Hope that helps!

[@ya_husssain_bin_ali_a.s]

Very informative ❤❤❤

[@bookcoversdiy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dianemcnaught1579]

I love your videos. So thorough and precise. Do you have any advice on the design of the inside front and/or back covers?

[@bookcoversdiy]

Thank you! Do you mean like what should be included in the front and back matter (copyright page, title page, etc.)?

[@dianemcnaught1579]

@@bookcoversdiy yes

[@valerievaddhanayana9762]

Thanks!

[@bookcoversdiy]

Oh my gosh! That's so kind of you!! Thank you so much! I really appreciate your support!!

[@justbeyoo8193]

excellent. any new video with the magic ai tool to speed up the process ?

[@thefreemanexperience]

TYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome!!!!

[@clarkcollins3772]

Thanks for the guide. Question: does the Spine REALLY have to be below the front and back covers in the "layers" order? Because my spine is in color... and my front and back covers are white. As a result, this makes my spine not fully in colour. So imagine there are white lines on the spine rather than in full color. I've seen it as I've ordered a printed proof copy of my book.

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome. In your case, I would suggest trying it in reverse, where the spine layer is above the front and back layers.

[@EmunahFL]

07:14 Okay, so I'm writing my book in Word ONLINE. I have my page size set to 5x8 because I want my paperback book to be a 5x8. Word says my page count is 137 (including title page, front and back matter, etc.) So, since my document page size is already set to 5x8 does that mean my page count is accurate?

[@bookcoversdiy]

Yes, if you have it currently set to the exact dimensions as your print size, then it should be accurate, but don't forget to also include the front and back matter, plus any blank pages. Hope that helps!

[@alonzo9940]

You've probably gone over this in the video somewhere but I missed it, is it recommended to upgrade to the "pro" version of Canva for this?

[@bookcoversdiy]

I believe you have to upgrade in order to enter the custom dimensions in Canva.

[@Chemshaw]

I just need a vid that shows how to make a printable cover for book binding fanfics. Lmao

[@shahidwiggins]

Does all the same techniques apply for a hard book cover? If not, what are the differences?

[@bookcoversdiy]

Oops, sorry for the delayed reply. I think I missed your question the first time. I'll repost the reply here in case it doesn't go through on the first one: You would still go through the same steps using the cover template generator, but the template would be slightly different. There is a wider gap between the spine and the front/back cover, and the top and bottom have larger margins. Here is a link to Amazon KDP where it shows a sample of the hardcover template: kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GDTKFJPNQCBTMRV6 Hope that helps!

[@jackyflowers7159]

Hi there!!... Is there anyway to actually create the entire ebook on Canva? The thing is that I created a book on reedsy, and after downloading the file it looked great! But, once I uploaded the file on amazon KDP, as an ebook, in their previewer it looked off and just awful.

[@bookcoversdiy]

Yes you can! Just go into Canva and search "Ebook Pages". It will take you to the ebook templates and you can select one you like. They have around 12 pages or so but you can add more pages by clicking "Add Page" beneath each page design once you are in the design area.

[@shahidwiggins]

You don’t have Canva affiliate links where people can sign up. As much as you promote them, you can’t leave money on the table. You don’t need 1000 subscribers for affiliate links.

[@bookcoversdiy]

Unfortunately, not yet. :( They are not open for applications at this time. Hopefully, soon.

[@JamesSedgwick-jp6hh]

Thanks for this video. I went to the updated version last night and was confused because I was expecting to try a cover the way you showed us in the past. This new info will be very helpful.

[@Ranger7Studios]

Don't you want to download this with CMYK setting for better printing?

[@CubenYT]

I need help. I try to add a PDF i already have, but it replaces the background KDP cover thing. What do I do????

[@bookcoversdiy]

Click on "Position" at the top of Canva design area, then make sure you are on the "Layers" tab in the toolbox, then you should be able to drag your layers up and down so you can see them. Make sure to also adjust the "Translucency" by clicking the little checkerboard so you can see the hidden layers.

[@kristinakristina6408]

In my free canva the is no custom size option. It does not exist

[@aryanchaudhary4400]

24:19

[@diannadolly]

helpful video but wish you didn'y use chat gpt

[@virginiaschafer-x1v]

what is your website?

[@bookcoversdiy]

bookcoversdiy.com/

[@FC-tq3xh]

OMG, can you mute the sound of your noisy keyboard! ps. (for future reference)

[@intuitivetraveler5354]

Amazing thank you very much

[@bookcoversdiy]

You're very welcome!! Thanks for watching and commenting!