Cover Software For Ebooks and Print Books

by Zanti

Posted: 13 years ago 10 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

Just wondering if anyone can answer if Cover Action Pro2 can create print book covers that fit the layout guidelines of Lightning Source and CreateSpace.

I'm in the process of recreating my total business. One area that I'm not as technically proficient in as others, is with photoshop and cover design.

Part of my re-creation is not to just provide PDF's on my sites, but to cover the whole array of information outlets/devices available now: Online - pdf's, pdf's interactive, kindle, Epub, apple, etc... Print - LSI and CreateSpace (Amazon).

Oh, and by the way, please don't tell anyone what I'm doing to recreate my business, I wouldn't want everybody in IM offering all of these formats on their sites. Even though there's been a number of post recently about kindle and amazon book creation, we know only a handful of marketers will take action.

I'm not interested in outsourcing print cover design/creation at the moment. My philosophy is that before I outsource anything I want to also know how to do it myself, at least to some extent. So I'm willing to put the time in to learn PS for this.

It's one of the ways that I can not only converse with experts in their language on what I want done with cover design, but I also know if what I'm quoted for outsourcing fits with my knowledge of the job.

So really what I'm trying to do is find one product that works with photoshop for all of my cover design and so far the best seems to be CAP2 for online covers.

Thanks,
Brian

P.S. If you can lead me to a source that explains how to accomplish this that would be great.

#books #cover #ebooks #print #software

edlewis 13 years ago

There really isn't a software available to create print covers....

Just Photoshop...

CreateSpace gives you a cover template to use....but it's just guidelines for height, width, bleed, etc....

My advice to those creating covers is to look at other covers, especially those by traditionally published authors. Use them as an example...as inspiration.

My other advice is to know your limits. If you are "okay" with Photoshop...then keep it SIMPLE. Covers can be SIMPLE and professional.

The problem is most over-estimate how good they are with Photoshop....so they try to do too much....and it looks like crap....and because they put their heart and soul and lots of effort into it....they can't admit to themselves that it looks like garbage.
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BrainDance 13 years ago

Along with what Ed said, there is no decent software for point and click creating print book covers. for create space you need to generate the template based on how many pages the book has, the type of paper, is it bw or color,etc. There are also guidelines for colors, bleeds, format,etc.
CAP2.0 does put out 300dpi work, but it is not print ready, any work for print needs to go with the guidelines the printer specifies.
design goes beyond clicking buttons and knowing how to use photoshop, you need to take your clients vision and make it tangible for them, even when you think it is a dumb idea, it is THEIR product, not yours . research trends, colors, font usage, use properly licensed photos. stay away from drop shadows and glowing edges, a total newbie thing there!
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I am taking on only ecover design work for the next 90 days. Rates are 47.00 for single cover, discounts for multiple..just ask! No payment until completed. http://www.d27portfolio.com for sample works
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- Zanti 13 years ago
  
  Thanks for the information Ed and BD. Totally get what you are both saying.
  
  So I may not have explained my question well. I'm familiar with the custom cover layout templates from both CS and LSI. I'm aware of the template generator for trim size, page count, paper color, complying to PDF/X-1a:2001 etc....
  
  What I'm trying to learn/understand are 3 things.
  
  1. Can I use CAP2 to create a cover that would fit CS and LSI guidelines to generate a PDF cover file that could be used with Indesign for upload to LSI or CS per their template requirements.
  
  2. I'm seeking to have a uniformed look for the print book and the corresponding Ebook formats that I would show on my sites.
  
  3. Is my flaw in thinking, that I can create an Ebook cover for use on my sites with CAP2/PS that will also fits the CS/LSI cover layout guidelines and sent as a PDF file to LSI/CS.
  
  I think what's going over my head is, if I can create a cover for an Ebook with CAP2 why wouldn't I be able to take that same design for the Ebook and convert it into the cover layout guidelines of CS and LSI for a 6x9 and 9x9 compliant PDF file.
  
  In other words using PS actions scripts to create cover image files that fit the guidelines for LSI/CS. Not looking to do drag and drop and I understand my limits both in strengths and weaknesses. Looking for a little help with my weaknesses.
  
  Hope this gives a little more clarity for what I'm trying to do.
  
  Brian
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  edlewis 13 years ago
  
  Brian,
  
  If you want a uniform look across formats, that won't be too difficult to do.
  
  When you create a cover for the CoverActionPro scripts, you first design a flat layout then hit the button to let the script do the work.
  
  CoverActionPro isn't going to give you what you need for CreateSpace or LSI.
  
  Personally, if it were me doing what you want to do....I would first create the print/CreateSpace version first. Using Photoshop, I would layout the front cover, spine, and back cover.
  
  I would save that as a PSD file and then crop the front cover....and use this on the "ecover". Or drag each layer from that print cover to the CoverActionPro layout and adjust the size if you were worried about losing image quality.
  
  Let the CoverActionPro scripts do their thing and you'll have your ecover.
  
  My suggestion would be to NOT use "ecovers" on Kindle. For the Kindle and B&N covers I would just use the flat image of the front cover.
  
  When I create my Kindle covers in Photoshop, I create them at 1200 x 1600, that way when I save them at 600 x 800 they stay at a high quality. Sometimes I will even create them at 1800 x 2400 and then save as .jpeg's at 600 x 800.
  
  That's how I would do it.
  
  The order really wouldn't matter though. I just think it would be easier to do the full cover(front & back) for print, first.
  
  Hope this helps.
  
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  MISylvia 13 years ago
  
  Just a flat cover for Kindle was the best advice yet. That's the way I'm going to go.
  
  Thanks
  
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Zanti

13 years ago

Thanks Ed,

That was extremely helpful and corrected my flawed thinking, thanks.

I have several book products I'm currently involved with. As I continue to move forward with these I would like to contact you directly if you're open to that. I have a couple of questions about a purchase I'm looking at that you may be able to provide some assistance for.

I also just purchased your Sig. product and jumping into right now.

Thanks again,

Brian

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edlewis

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Zanti

No problem, Brian.

You can PM me here at the WarriorForum or email me at the address I list in the members area of that WSO.

Thanks

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Penniless Publishing

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Zanti 13 years ago

Thanks Ed, I'll do that soon, as in tonight.

Brian
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- AdamCBR 13 years ago
  
  Just a quick additional. Not sure what Createspace is, but I saw you mention Indesign.
  
  When I'm designing Ebooks for people, the process goes like this:
  
  Indesign for the layout. Certain graphics might be created in Photoshop or Illustrator, but it's all then dropped into Indesign and laid out. This way, should I (or whoever I'm doing it for) want's to get actual printed copies made up, it's ready.
  
  From this, I can then create it as a PDF for them to put as the front page of their PDF ebook that they're supplying.
  
  I can then also create a JPEG of the cover and drop it into Cover Action Pro and create a 3d visual of their ebook.
  
  Easy!
  
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Zanti 13 years ago

Thank you Adam,

This is very helpful information to me. I'm pretty up to-date on the publishing aspects for books, but not doing the design for the covers.

So the more helpful advise I get the easier this becomes for me.

I'm finding it's the details that I've been lacking and what you guys have been providing is filling in the gaps.

Brian
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Brian Alexzander ~ Irie To The Highest - Respect
"Irie"...the ultimate positive, powerful, pleasing, all encompassing quality/vibration

A Candle Never Loses Any Of Its Own Light... By Lighting Another Candle
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Cover Software For Ebooks and Print Books

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