eBook and Paperback Book Cover Design Using Canva and Gimp
Self-Publishing? Create your own professional looking book covers; ready to upload to major retailers and distributors.
4.50 (464 reviews)
2,961
students
4 hours
content
Feb 2021
last update
$59.99
regular price
What you will learn
Find inspiration for your book covers as well as free, cheap or premium images without infringing upon someone else's copyright
Understand the technical terms used in image design such as image size, file size, aspect ratios and color modes as well as what file type to use when uploading to your chosen platforms.
Know the current specifications for print book, eBook and catalogue covers on major platforms like Amazon and Smashwords.
Design an eBook catalogue cover in Canva using either a template or your own specifications and images
Work out the specifications for a paperback book cover or generate one in Createspace, and then design your cover in Canva with a little image manipulating in Gimp.
Set up and design book covers in Gimp using layer masks and blend modes to create interesting effects.
Convert your catalogue cover images and paperback book cover images to a suitable size to embed within your ebooks.
Why take this course?
Thanks to huge advances in computer technology making your own book covers is not nearly as hard as it used to be. You can use drag and drop image building apps online. My favorite of these is Canva.
For those few things that you cannot do inside Canva, there is also no need to invest in expensive image manipulation software because you can do them in Gimp for free.
Even though designing a book cover can get a little technical, it's a skill you can easily learn. In this course I will teach you the software you need so that you too can get stuck in and create great covers for your books.
Designing images for book covers and designing them for social media banners and posts is very similar, so once you know how to use the software, you can go on to create all the marketing material to go with your book as well.
Content
Welcome
Udemy Interface Explained
Welcome
Finding Inspiration, Images and Colors and Avoiding Copyright Infringement
Finding Inspiration for Your Book Covers
Understanding Copyright
Where to Find Suitable Images For Your Book Cover
An Easy Guide to Choosing Colors
Technical Terms and Specifications for Book Cover Images
Understanding the Technical Terms Used in Image Design
Current Specifications for Catalogue and Embedded eBook Cover
Designing an eBook Cover in Canva
Setting up a Project in Canva Using a Template
Working With Your Own Images in Canva
Creating Multiple Similar Covers Quickly in Canva
Designing a Paperback Cover Using Gimp and Canva
Paperback Book Cover Specifications
Designing Your Paperback Book Cover in Canva
Setting up and Designing a Book Cover in GIMP Using Special Effects
Getting Started With The Right Sized Canvas in GIMP
Understanding Layers and Blend Mode in GIMP
Applying a Layer Mask and Blending the Background in GIMP Applying a Layer
Using the Text Tools to Add a Book Title in GIMP
Reducing Your Catalogue Covers to a Suitable Size to Embed Within Your eBook
Reducing Your Catalogue Covers to a Suitable Size to Embed Within Your eBook
Creating 3D Mockups of Your Book Cover for Marketing
Creating 3D Mockups of Your Book Cover for Marketing
Conclusion
Conclusion
Screenshots
Reviews
Matthew
August 21, 2023
It was a good match. A lot of the material I already knew, but it was nice to have a refresher. Specifically, I wanted to learn how to find images, make 3D mockups, getting the KDP templates to work and how to design the whole cover front, spine, and back. Well done. Pacing was good, I learned some great tricks.
Monica
May 9, 2023
Great information! It's not about the theory of design and the elements to choose (although important) it's more about how to create and format yourself.
Biswajit
November 4, 2022
Although I didn't understand the Gimp portion very well, I appreciate Karen's genuine efforts in explaining things as comprehensively as she could. I do believe I will be able to use Canva and also a bit of Gimp to generate reasonably good covers now.
Mary
July 26, 2022
Good information but went too fast for me. I will have to go over videos many times to acquire the skills needed.
Tina
May 18, 2022
Once again, Karen Prince helped me with my self-publishing process. This course allowed me to create a fantastic book cover, and it also taught me how to make an eBook cover from that cover. This course was so worth it.
Charles
March 31, 2022
The course is excellent. The instructor is good and really "knows her stuff".
The course is too long. I think it should be two courses. One with the simple ways of designing the covers for the various uses and sizes and the other with all the techy stuff that is hard to keep up with her going on as fast as she does.
I started off trying to remember or even write down all the exact measurements and tricks but gave up. She should write it in a book so I can buy it and follow the steps at my own pacde.
Darrick
February 19, 2022
Excellent course. It covers all you need to know in creating covers for your eBook and paperback covers. Highly recommend
Tod
January 29, 2022
Just started the course but Kazz has already given great information. Easy to understand, relevant, caring and shares a background of knowledge on cover design. I'm happy I subscribed to this course.
Crystal
December 19, 2021
I've been away from computer graphics a long time. Now I am inspired to create book covers and maybe write a book. This is my first course with Udemy. I understand this speaker and am EXCITED to continue!
VanaVerse
October 9, 2021
I was initially pretty hazy on the general technicalities of covers, and this course helped me create my very first book cover. I'm very happy with what I managed accomplish, and really appriciate the things I've learned from the course!
Elizabeth
October 4, 2021
This course is very in depth and will take me several time through to grasp all of it. I will pick out the simpler aspects and build from there. Perhaps a younger mind than my 75 year brain would grasp it better. I do love this instructors courses and would recommend them to anyone interested in her subjects.
Barbara
September 28, 2021
This course provides a lot of very technical information, much of which is way over my head! I will refer to it many times during my work designing my cover.
Rebecca
September 28, 2021
Excellent course with great resources. I know so much more about Canva than I did at the beginning of the course.
Jarvi
July 27, 2021
Very good explanations, easy to follow. It is still a long way to actually submitting anything for publishing. It was all based on only one template (KDP), what if the publisher only gives dimensions and no template.. I also found it a bit annoying that many recommendations were given on how to imitate professionally made models. Technology should help artists, not non-artists to become fake-artists.
Still, I appreciate Kazz very much and I would take another course with her,
Laura
July 15, 2021
Thank GOD she's created a course that doesn't use Photoshop. As a self-published author, I have to watch every cent I spend. I've been using Canva for a few years, but I still learned a lot of tricks I didn't know.
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681662
udemy ID
11/26/2015
course created date
8/8/2019
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