Credits Go To:StandOutBlogger
[img]http://i.min.us/imKsZK.png[/img]
This is a simple tutorial on how to create a fantastic looking ebook cover for your latest project using Photoshop. For this tutorial I will be designing the cover for my forthcoming ebook series on how to successfully launch a blog.
1. Ebook Cover Template
Why reinvent the wheel? The people over at eBookTemplateSource.com have created some free black ebook covers for you to work with.Here are their three options:
[img]http://www.standoutblogger.com/images/cover01_sm.gif[/img]
This cover is suitable for smaller ebooks, newsletters/ezines or special reports
Download (52 KB)
[img]http://www.standoutblogger.com/images/cover02_sm.gif[/img]
Standard “hardcover” ebook. This design is suitable for most ebooks.
Download (33 KB)
[img]http://www.standoutblogger.com/images/cover03_sm.gif[/img]
Tired of the same old covers? This design will certainly set you apart from your competition.
Optional: Set your page layout inside your ebook to “landscape” instead of the standard vertical layout.
Download (27 KB)
For this tutorial we will be using the first ebook cover template.
2. Front Page Design
Once you have downloaded the ebook template that you want to use, unzip it and open the file titled ‘cover01_blank.psd’
[img]http://www.standoutblogger.com/images/cover-tutorial/black-front.jpg[/img]
This will be the starting point of your ebook design. Now lets start creating our amazing ebook cover.
3. Your Cover Background
I like to start with a simple gradient. I have chosen two blues that go with my logo for branding purposes.
[img]http://www.standoutblogger.com/images/cover-tutorial/gradient.jpg[/img]
And then to make the design a little bit more unique we will find a great free stock photo from sxc.hu to blend into the background. There are many great stock photography websites around but I love sxc.hu because the photos are free and all it requires is a simple free registration.
As the cover is for an ebook series on launching blogs, I started using the search term ‘rocket’ and came across this space shuttle photo that I decided fitted perfectly.
[img]http://www.standoutblogger.com/images/cover-tutorial/bg-image.jpg[/img]
The next step is to copy and paste the image into a new layer above the gradient background, and then in blending options set the opacity of the image to a desired level – so the gradient shows through. For this ebook cover I set the opacity of the image to 41%.
[img]http://www.standoutblogger.com/images/cover-tutorial/blending-image.jpg[/img]
4. Creating Your Ebook Title
This is where you need to think about branding. And ask yourself exactly what you want from your design. With this ebook cover I was looking for a title that looked ‘spacey’ almost a little ‘alien’ as the concept of the ebook is to launch your blog, and we were playing with the space shuttles for the image. So where do space shuttles go? Into space of course.
That meant we needed a new font for the title, and there are a couple of great free font websites on the internet. I personally use www.DaFont.com.
[img]http://www.standoutblogger.com/images/cover-tutorial/title.jpg[/img]
5. Insert Your Subtitle
Your subtitle is the main point of your ebook. The Phrase that will make your visitor want to buy or download your ebook. For this ebook we decided on ‘Planning Your Blog For A Successful Launch’. It tells exactly what the ebook is about and should capture the interest of anyone who is looking to start a new blog.
For subtitles it is best to keep the font simple. We have used Tahoma, and made the phrase 24pt so that it spans over two lines.
[img]http://www.standoutblogger.com/images/cover-tutorial/subtitle.jpg[/img]
Continued On Post Below!
6. Add Logo And Branding
This is where you let people know who you are. Credibility sells, and people like to know who they are buying from. As this ebook is written for branding a blog I have added the words ‘A Free Blogging Tool By’ followed by the logo of the blog. Now we have finished with the front cover. Let’s see how it turned out!
[img]http://www.standoutblogger.com/images/cover-tutorial/finished-front.jpg[/img]
Just a few more steps to go before you have finished your first ebook cover. We now have to import the front cover into the ebook template.
7. Open File ‘cover01.psd’
This is the other psd file from the folder you unzipped. And looks something like this:
[img]http://www.standoutblogger.com/images/cover-tutorial/ebook-cover.jpg[/img]
8. Flatten Front Cover And Paste Into Ebook Template
Now go back to the front cover we just created and flatten the images by clicking the ‘Layer’ menu tab and clicking the selection right down the bottom that says ‘ flatten image’.
[img]http://www.standoutblogger.com/images/cover-tutorial/flatten.jpg[/img]
Now copy and paste this image into the ebook cover:
[img]http://www.standoutblogger.com/images/cover-tutorial/paste-image.jpg[/img]
So close now guys! Just two more steps!
9. Free Transform The Front Cover Layer
Now we just have to make the front cover fit properly into the ebook template. You do this by taking the following steps:
- Select The Front Cover Image Layer.
- Press The Control Button and ‘T’ at the same time – To transform.
- Right Click on the image and select ‘Skew’.
- Drag each corner until it fits in the corner of the blank front cover.
10. Save Your Completed Ebook Cover
You should end up with something similar to this:
[img]http://www.standoutblogger.com/images/cover-tutorial/finished.jpg[/img]
Enjoy!
