How do you design your ebook cover?

48 replies
Hi Warriors

Whenever I want to make a 3d cover for my eBook I am outsourcing it, but sometimes I am not happy with the quality of the ecover.

How you are making your eBook cover? Any tips?
#cover #design #ebook
  • Profile picture of the author Kristy Taylor
    I use Photoshop for the basic layout then create the 3D effect with Action scripts. Action scripts can create books, magazines, reports, CDs, DVDs, membership cards, etc... from your flat image file.

    A program similar to Photoshop is Gimp (free). Don't know if it supports Action scripts though, you would need to Google it to find out.

    Ta
    Kristy
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  • Profile picture of the author onlinebizgiant
    Originally Posted by Marianne Gonne View Post

    Another Warrior recommended ecover design - design it yourself online
    (no affiliation).

    On this site you can make your own FREE (albeit very simple) ebook covers. It's a very easy platform with a surprising amount of customizing options considering it's free. And in just a couple of minutes, you can download your design directly onto your computer.

    I have purchased a few ebook covers from Fiverr sellers and I'm much, much happier with the ones I design myself on myecovermaker.

    Thank you very much, let me check this option.
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
      I design mine myself using Illustrator however I'm in a better position being a full time designer.
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  • Profile picture of the author WakondaMarketing
    I use Photoshop to do the designs of my ebooks.
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  • Profile picture of the author colinph970
    I run a competition on digitalpoint or warrior forum. Outline the book and then offer $20 to best design. The advantage of this is that you get to choose from a number of designs and also ask for a few changes to those you like until they are completely right. I have some great designs from people doing it this way!
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  • Profile picture of the author Tommy Smith
    I know a little about photoshop so most of the cover of my eBooks are designed by me.
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    Wholesale Crystal Beads – The best place to buy
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  • Profile picture of the author fxstay
    use photo shop its flexible software
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  • Profile picture of the author Vlad Bacioiu
    I use Photoshop . If you want a free option you can check : ecover design - design it yourself online
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    • Profile picture of the author darkangel
      I use Max Rylski Click and Drag Graphics. You need to have Photoshop to use it, but don't have to be very knowledgeable. This product is a package of action scripts for Photoshop, so you design your covers on 2D then follow video instructions that come with the package to execute the action script that you want and make a 3D cover. It's kind of 3D covers for dummies, it's very easy and you get professional results.
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  • Profile picture of the author louie6925
    Hate to say it but I use Fiverr! never been disapointed!!!
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    Feel free to chat if you live in the UK I may have something for you!
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    • Profile picture of the author Raimundas M
      Photoshop here too.
      As louie6925 recommended, fiverr.com would be my second choice.
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  • Profile picture of the author salaka
    hi
    i neede cartoon type of front cover i did through guy infiver it took few days but i think it was good, check the rating of the seller and read feedback
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  • Profile picture of the author Levira
    From what you say, design is not your thing. Some of us are just not gifted in that area, which is why we outsource. If you have been using fiverr maybe you can switch and use some of contributors to this thread (Hey Webcore...you could hard sell your services to him).
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan92
    I haven't really tried a commercial graphics software, but fiverr left me pretty satisfied.
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  • Profile picture of the author OaldDesign
    Hey onlinebizgiant if you are not happy with the ebook design you probably not using the right tool for it.
    You can check out the site below which will help you to easily make a ebook cover design by yourself in just few minutes.
    The site also offers a video tutorial that will so you how easy it is.
    Design Ebook Cover - Learn how to create your own Ecover designs
    There is no reason for you to be unsatisfied with your cover design anymore.
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    Graphic Design & Web Development Services: http://www.oalddesign.com
    Banner Design Services: http://bannercheapdesign.com

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  • Profile picture of the author pcpupil
    I use Ecover Creator.Has a built in library.
    Plus reflection,shading,ect.
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    I will be your Digital Assistance for cheap.PM me.
    I can help relieve your work load.Pm me

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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    I outsource it also. I'm not good with creating ebook covers - even if there is a tutorial that came with it.
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  • Profile picture of the author masmiskun
    well if you are a ebook cover seller, of course you will use automatic ecover creator. That will save you a lot of time. for example, a fiverr guy usually use ecover software like QUICK 3DCOVER. If you have time and have some skill, use adobe illustrator for best result. You can set the light, transparency, shadow and gradient.
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  • Profile picture of the author KimboJim
    I have always been worried about outsourcing by work, so I just started using Photoshop. My covers may not be the greatest, but they're not bad either. Just look at some simple and popular ebook covers and try to emulate the design.
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  • Profile picture of the author geekology
    i purchased an ecover creatophp script for around 7bucks if i remember correctly. they do a decent job and i can have my own design ready in under 5 mins.
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  • Profile picture of the author vickss
    adobe illustrator cs5. best for ebook or anyother graphic work..it is available for 30 day free trial.
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  • Profile picture of the author arranrice
    I did outsource ebook covers, however i tried to make my own cover today and it worked out really well! I made 3 covers, they can be seen at: Graphic Design | Arran Rice - Personal Blog

    I used picnik and pixlr to make the covers
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  • Profile picture of the author Aromo
    I think you should find a new provider.
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  • Profile picture of the author Exel
    I had used Fiverr gigs for ebook covers and it worked really well. There are many
    talented people on Fiverr who can do it nicely, and you can explain what you need
    clearly and get excellent result. I tried to do it myself, but have no talent in graphic design.
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  • Profile picture of the author Damian Kitchen
    hey online biz giant

    i am so so new to internet marketing in that i only started learning at the end of summer 2011. I already had a copy of photoshop on my laptop so that is what i used. I have used action scripts as mentioned earlier this dramatically reduces the time it take to create. However you can also do this manually from scratch with photoshop easily enough.#

    These resources could help you out, this is how i learnt
    http://youtu.be/F60UK7MgN3s

    http://youtu.be/ZsamSEiwkm0
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    Visit My Blog & Follow MY Internet Marketing Journey at
    http://damiankitchen.com
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Hill
    I like to use Cover Action Pro with Photoshop. What I do when I'm in a hurry is I'll outsource the design and ask for PSD's with layers and then I can do what I want with it. Create additional covers in different styles, change titles, subtitles, volumes, etc. I will also create a larger flat version for inside my reports and make Power Point slides as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author danilion55
    I design my self and sometimes use PSD's which i usually get from graphicsriver
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  • Profile picture of the author blillard
    At times I used Fiverr but since I got a lot better with design I tend to do them myself and use action scripts as well.
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    • Profile picture of the author Viramara
      OK, I created all my ecovers DIY. Here's what I do :

      1, Go to stock photo websites, and purchase one, or download one. Or if I'm naughty, to Google Images (oops).
      2, Download the gaudy fonts and installed them
      3, Did them quick on image processor programs, i.e. Gimp or just Paint
      4, Go to myecovermaker.com and turned the image work into an ecover.
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      • Profile picture of the author rackspace
        wow. quick and nice.
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  • Profile picture of the author JackTheFrost
    I get mines done on fiverr for only five dollars, and it converts 60% which is good enough for me since its not for the main thing I'm selling.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Montgomery
    I use Fiverr and always the same person the ecovers are always great so thats my go to contact for all my ebook cover needs now, if you plan to outsource you will probably need to try a few before finding someone that you are happy with.
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  • Profile picture of the author datingworld
    Long Live Fiverr,, the cheapest service on the web with some very quality gigs...
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  • Profile picture of the author themubeen
    Always use Fiverr, Fiverr and Fiverr for this kind of work and they never disappointed me
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  • Profile picture of the author CBGraphics
    ADOBE PS! THE BEST! take help with utube tuts!
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  • Profile picture of the author mikeac
    I have to say Fiverr. Hired a guy to design an ebook cover for me and he overdeliverd
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Gram
    Couple of book cover tips for you:

    1. Never use Fiverr for book covers. There are so many people on Fiverr creating covers with illegal images it's not even funny. People think they are only paying $5 for a cover when they really could end up paying thousands. It's not worth it.

    2. If you design the cover yourself, make sure it's not too busy and that it's easily readable even as a smaller thumbnail image. Many people mess this one up and its very important.
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    • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
      Originally Posted by Paul Gram View Post

      Couple of book cover tips for you:

      1. Never use Fiverr for book covers. There are so many people on Fiverr creating covers with illegal images it's not even funny. People think they are only paying $5 for a cover when they really could end up paying thousands. It's not worth it.
      ^^^ This is a major concern. Same goes for any type of graphics work on fiverr.

      There are plenty of good designers right here. The thing is, for most of they you're going to have to at least come up with a concept idea. Once you do you can get a great cover for $15 to $20 easily. Just to be on the safe side make sure you tell them NO PIRATED IMAGES.
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      • Profile picture of the author lindamriana
        i think many people use photoshop ya?but i get the other way at this forum,thankyou all
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    I bought CoverActionPro with all of the templates too and it was well worth the money spent.
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  • Profile picture of the author KriiV
    I got one done on freelancer.com for like $5 about a year ago. Looked amazing and I had time to spend on proofreading etc instead of designing Just make sure stock photo's are used. (ie. istockphoto)
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  • Profile picture of the author brentb
    I have some free to use images of digital books, I design the cover flat then use the transform tool to make it fit the 3d book. Tada!

    For those without photoshop this works great and its free: www.sumopaint.com
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  • Profile picture of the author Willing2Learn
    I'd just pay someone $5 and get it done on fiverr. They have some pretty good vendors over there and I don't know about you but for five bucks I'd save myself the time and headache.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      I have my son who is going for his graphic design degree make mine as well as some of my logos. He uses Photoshop.

      He also loves photography, so if I want a specific picture, I'll have him take it for me.

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author muddywaters
    I usually use Photoshop Actions Scripts to create my covers. I use vectors for my layout then render it via action scripts. Try and check out this website for free to use action scripts for Photoshop Photoshop Product Packaging Brand Mockup Cover Actions

    The last time I check, you can use the actions scripts for free provided that your layout is unique and your own creation.

    Cheers!
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