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Last Edited Time
Jul 4, 2025 12:26 AM
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Platform
Canva
Category
Graphic Design
Topic
Ebook Design
AI summary
Design an ebook cover using Canva by selecting a genre-specific template, customizing text and images, ensuring readability, and downloading in high resolution. Canva offers both free and Pro options for creating professional-quality covers easily.
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Design Your Ebook Cover with Canva
TL;DR:
- Browse Canva's ebook cover templates to find one that matches your book's genre
- Use the drag-and-drop editor to swap images, adjust text, and tweak colours
- Make your title readable with bold fonts and high contrast colours
- Download in high resolution for print or share directly online
- Upload your own images or use Canva's stock photo library
Main Content
Pick Your Starting Template
Head to Canva and search for "ebook cover" templates. You'll find hundreds organised by genre - romance, thriller, business, self-help, and more. The genre-specific templates save you time because they already have the right mood and layout conventions.
Don't worry about finding the perfect template. You're going to customise it anyway, so pick one that has the basic structure you want.
Customise Your Cover
Once you've chosen a template, here's where the fun starts:
Text Elements
- Replace the placeholder title with your book title
- Add your name as the author
- Include a subtitle if you have one
- Adjust font sizes so your title is the biggest element
Images and Graphics
- Upload your own photos or illustrations
- Browse Canva's stock library for genre-appropriate images
- Remove elements you don't need by clicking and deleting
Colours
- Stick to 2-3 main colours that work well together
- Make sure your title text contrasts strongly with the background
- Consider what colours work for your genre (dark blues for thrillers, pastels for romance)
Make Your Title Pop
Your title needs to be readable as a tiny thumbnail image. Test this by zooming out or viewing your design at a smaller size. If you can't read the title easily, try:
- Making the text bigger
- Using bolder fonts
- Adding a subtle background shape behind the text
- Choosing colours with more contrast
Download and Share
When you're happy with your cover, download it in PNG format at 300 DPI for print quality. Canva Pro users can download in PDF format too, which is often preferred by print services.
You can also share your cover directly to social media from Canva if you want to announce your book launch.
FAQs
Can I upload my own photos to use on the cover?
Yes, click the "Uploads" tab in the left sidebar and drag your images into Canva. You can then add them to your design like any other element.
Do I need Canva Pro to make an ebook cover?
No, the free version has plenty of templates and design tools. Canva Pro gives you access to more stock photos and premium templates, but it's not essential.
What size should my ebook cover be?
Canva's ebook templates are already set to standard sizes. For most platforms, 1600x2560 pixels works well. Amazon KDP recommends this size for optimal display.
Can I edit my cover after I've downloaded it?
Yes, your design stays saved in your Canva account. You can go back and make changes anytime, then download the updated version.
Jargon Buster
Template - A pre-made design layout that you can customise with your own text and images
DPI - Dots per inch, a measure of image resolution. 300 DPI is standard for print quality
Stock Photos - Professional photos you can license and use in your designs
Thumbnail - A small preview image, like what appears in online bookstores
Wrap-up
A good ebook cover sells your book before anyone reads the first page. It needs to look professional and give potential readers an instant sense of what genre and quality to expect.
Canva makes this achievable even if you've never done graphic design before. The templates handle the technical stuff like sizing and layout, so you can focus on choosing images and text that represent your book well.
Take your time with the design process. Try a few different approaches and get feedback from friends or fellow authors before settling on your final version.
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