Easily Create An eBook Cover in Photoshop

Do you want to create an eBook? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. In this easy Photoshop tutorial, I will show you how to create your own eBook cover, using basic Photoshop techniques. This tutorial is for beginners and it can be easily understood by anyone. 

I will show you three types of eBook covers: one with text and simple graphics, another based on the clipping mask technique, and the third one using a beautiful background photograph. Of course, in the design process, only your imagination is the limit. These eBook covers are extremely simple and basic. By using simple Photoshop techniques, you can make them more complex and perfect to suit your needs. This tutorial will teach you those basic techniques and from that point on, you can create your own personalized eBook cover. 

At the end of each eBook cover design presented here, you’ll get a download link with the fully editable .PSD file. 

1. Two Hearts eBook Cover – with a background photo. 

The first thing you have to do when you start designing an eBook cover in Photoshop, is creating a new file. In this case, I selected the international A4 page format. You can select any page size you want. Also, don’t forget to use a resolution of a minimum 100 pixels/inch and RGB color mode. 

For this eBook cover, I’ll use a wallpaper image (image source: http://wallpaperswide.com/valentines_day_2014-wallpapers.html). You can use any photo you want, as long as it has the proper resolution. Just drag and drop the image in your Photoshop window. It will automatically create a new layer for that image. Scale and position it, then rasterize layer: Right click on the layer > Select Rasterize Layer. 

Guides are very important. They are imaginary lines (which do not apear in the printed or digital saved file) with the purpose of helping you create clean designs. I used two guides to set the middle of the cover. The guides appear when you drag them from the top or left side ruler. Also, by right-clicking the ruler, you can set the units you want to use (pixels, inches, centimeter etc.). 

Now, one of the most important parts of an ebook cover – text. Typography plays a very important role in design and a good font can do miracles! For this cover I used the free Opificio font. You can download it for free and install it on your computer, by placing it in Control Panel > Fonts folder.

Write the text, using the Text tool. You can modify the size, distance between letters, color and more! See the image below: 

I also underlined the “hearts” word. I used the Line tool. Select it from the left toolbar and modify its settings by using the upper toolbar, right below the Photoshop menu. I used a 10px, white line.

Here’s the final result!

Get .PSD file here. 

2. Get Creative! eBook Cover – Using Clipping Mask.

Just like in the example above, create a new file and add your photo image as background. You can use abstract backgrounds or photos. Add guides.

For this eBook cover, I’ll use a wallpaper image (image source: http://wallpaperswide.com/triangular-wallpapers.html). 

Using the Rectangle Shape tool, from the lower part of the left toolbar, create a rectangle, like the one in this example. Make it transparent, by decreasing Opacity (Layer Toolbar). 

Add text. I used the Origami Making and Proxy1 fonts.  Modify them as you please, using the Fonts toolbar. 

Now, the interesting part, how to use clipping mask to create this cool font effect. Duplicate the background image layer three time. Move them above each one of your texts. Right click on each one of them and select Create Clipping Mask. Now the image is “clipped” on your font layer. See the image below and observe how the layers are arranged. 

Here’s the final result. 

Get .PSD file here. 

3. Business eBook Cover – text and simple graphics. 

In this case, we’ll use Shape tools, Clipping Mask, Layer Styles and Font tools. Repeat the first steps mentioned above: Create File and Add Guides. I added multiple guides, to help me create a clean design. 

Color your background layer using the Paint Bucket tool. I used a nice blue color. 

Create a rectangle, using the Rectangle Shape Tool. I created a white rectangle and left a 1 cm border. We’ll use this white background as a base for clipping our image of choice. I used a wallpaper image (image source: http://wallpaperswide.com/internet_business_23-wallpapers.html). Add image. Move the image layer above your rectangle layer. Right-click and select Create Clipping Mask. Scale the image to fit the rectangle. 

Add text. I used the Salaryman free font. You can add different layer styles to your text. In this case, I added an Outer Glow. Right-click on layer and select Blending Options. See settings below. 

I also created a transparent rectangle shape behind the text. You can create it by using the Rectangle Shape tool and decrease Opacity. 

Here’s the final result:

Get .PSD file here. 

Hope you’ll find this tutorial useful and don’t forget to download the .PSD files! 

~Ruxandra Micu