Contributed by: Lorraine Hansen, Telemachus Press
For this example, we will be using Adobe Photoshop Elements and Lightning Source Inc’s automatic template generator. Similar principles apply with the CreateSpace template.
Go to Lightningsource.com or Createspace.com and download their template. Click on “File Creation”, then “Digital Cover Creation (Standard Books)”
Click #2 – “Create Cover Template”
Fill in information. You need to have your own ISBN# Lightning Source will not provide one for you. For the purposes of this lesson choose the “PDF” file type.
Once you receive email with template, you’re ready to open in Photoshop.
Photoshop
Once in Photoshop, click File > Open > then open template provided (PDF File)
Change the resolution to 300 and the mode to CMYK – this will create your first layer. CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow & black. RGB stands for red, green and blue. Different media have different requirements. For example, RGB is for web pages and pictures displayed on your monitor while CMYK is used in the printing industry. (We will cover this topic in greater detail in a separate discussion.) Your template will appear like this. This is your first layer. What is a layer you ask. Well, each and every component or object that your bring in has its “own environment” that way you can “layer” text on top of pictures for example. May the layers your “new best friend.” If something isn’t working the way you want, look over at the side and see which layer is “highlighted.” It’s easy to think you are trying to change one letter (text, for example) and your really on the picture layer.
Be sure to click on the “lock” to lock the layer. To lock the layer highlight the template layer and then “click” the picture of the lock which is at the top of the layer dialog box. This will keep the template from changing while you add layers. The template absolutely, positively cannot move either vertically or horizontally. It needs to stay in alignment for the printer (Lightning Source Inc.).
If you don’t want the ISBN number to appear on the cover where it’s shown in the template, select by using the lasso tool, then click Layer, New, Layer via cut. This will place the ISBN number onto it’s own layer which can be moved. You will need to unlock layer to do this.
You’ve now created layer 2. By clicking on “Layer 2” in tool bar, you can name the layer “ISBN” if you choose.
To Easily View the Guidelines on the Template, Add a White Layer
Click – Layer > New > Layer > Make sure color is set on white, click on paint bucket, then template to fill.
Drag this layer below first layer so you can see template lines. The template has pink lines “safety area”, which show you where the front, side, and back panels of the book are. All text, logos, and barcodes, need to stay within these lines. The blue lines are a “bleed area” Somewhere between the pink and the blue lines is where the paper will get cut. If you look very close at the corners on the above picture you will see a short vertical and horizontal gray line. This is where the “cutting” happens. If you have a picture or a color photo you want it extend out to the end of the blue line (bleed line) — this prevents a white edge from appearing on your book.
Now it’s Time to Create Layers and Design Your Cover
Name your book cover. Click File > Save as > name your cover.
*And don’t forget to save your work as you go along.
To Place a Picture on the Cover
File > Place > choose location > Place > click on check mark (top of your window and easy to miss) to apply picture to the desktop. This will create another layer.
From this point, you can resize and position the picture. Make sure you stay within the lines!
NOTE: You cannot crop the picture once it’s placed into a layer. It will need to be done in its original file. Click File > Open > open picture. To crop, click on rectangular marquee tool in tool bar, click and drag around the picture to size. Go to Image > crop. Be sure to “save as” to save as a new picture. Now it can be placed into cover.
Color Cover Background
If you want your background or part of your cover a solid color, create a new layer, click color of your choice, paint bucket, then click the “rectangle” tool and draw a rectangle around the blue lines or “bleed area.” The layer is then dragged down so template lines will show. Make sure your layer does not go beyond blue bleed line.
*In this case, I chose black. In a CMYK mode, the black must be 60,40,40,100 (LSI requirements). Black on your monitor is not black for your printer. Refer to your PODs recommendations.
Text, Titles and Teasers!
To add text, create a new layer by clicking Layer > New Layer. Click on the “T” in the tool bar. This will set it up for text.
Click and drag on your template where you want the text box to go.
To choose a color within the picture (because it’s so nice when colors match exactly), click on the eyedropper tool, 
then click on the picture to select which color you want. Type your text.
Click the check mark (at the top of the window) to apply.
If you want to make changes to text, double click onto layer. This will highlight the text box that will allow you to resize, change font, color, or add texture. There are many great options for enhancing the look of the text.
Click on Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options. In this example, I used Bevel and Emboss, and Texture.
To soften the edges around the picture, click on paint brush in the tool bar, select size of brush, and draw around the edge in black
To duplicate your title for the side binding, click Layer > Duplicate layer > then name it. Move, resize and rotate title to fit.
There are “Guide Lines” in Photoshop to help you line up your text. Take your mouse and place it over the ruler bar (either one). If you “click and drag” you will see a light blue line appear. These are guidelines that help you line up your text. Add more layers for – titles, texts, pictures, graphics, website, acknowledgments, author photo.
Save your work!
Making a Front Only Cover for the Web
To have your cover ready for the web, you simply need to highlight and crop the front cover.
Select the rectangular marquee tool and select around the front part of the cover. Click Image > Crop
Click File > Save for Web & Devices. If you get a message that says your file may be too big. Ignore it for now. You will be changing the size of the file. The recommended height for an Amazon thumbnail is, for example 1280 px.
SAVE — YOU’RE DONE!
Conclusion
This is just one example of how to make a book cover. There are many different kinds of software tools that you can use.
Thanks again Lorraine from Telemachus Press for contributing this article!
