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You’ve finally finished writing your book and getting a cover all set up. However, once you try to publish the book, you may find out that your book cover does not fit the proper size for an e-book or for a hardback/paperback.
It may seem a little intimidating at first, but I have discovered 5 easy ways that you can resize book covers to make them perfect for when it comes time to hit that publish button!
1. Microsoft Paint
Microsoft paint is free and it is easy! Newer versions of MS Paint offer a shocking amount of editing potential. A program used to make silly drawings as a kid to a pretty decent editor.
There are a few steps you need to take in order to resize the book:
- Open the file in Microsoft Paint
- Look for “resize under the “image” toolbar, it looks like a small square inside of another square.
- Select that. It opens a window.
- You can select the resize parameters in percentages and pixels.
As you can see, it’s fairly straightforward as long as you know the pixel size. Some uploaders are different from others, so make sure to look for the specifications of the size.
2. Photoshop
If you already have Photoshop or maybe you just would rather use it over MS Paint, then this is a good option. Photoshop does also have 7-day free trials if you are interested in giving it a go.
The steps for photoshop are not much different than the MS Paint ones:
- Select “images” and then “image size”.
- Choose to resize with pixels for e-books.
- Choose to resize with inches for print.
- Select “resample”.
- Select “okay”.
The steps are simple, but again, make sure you have the right dimension for whatever you want the book to be published on.
Photoshop is better because of the ability to resize in inches instead of just pixels. It is important to note that for resizing, e-books are done in pixels. If you go to Amazon, they do have both options but it’s much better to follow the guidelines. Inches is how a lot of self-publish websites measure for paperbacks and hardcovers.
3. KDP Cover Calculator
Now, using the cover calculator does not on its own resize the image for you, but you enter your book parameters for hardback and paperback and it gives you the exact dimensions, including your margins!
This tool is incredible for making sure you don’t have images looking blown out or distorted. When you have these exact margins for print, it makes it easier to upload the image to Amazon or IngramSpark to get your print-on-demand books!
4. Pre-sized Templates
There are tons of pre-size templates you can find around the internet, and most of them are free. Sizing a book can be intimidating and if you are struggling with any of it, this might be the best way to help you choose the size that is right for you.
With how many free options there are out there, you don’t need to pay for a template. These templates are also good if you use photoshop because photoshop allows you to set margins and customize it exactly to your standards, whereas paint only has bare-bones options.
5. Hire a Professional
If nothing else seems to be working out, or you are afraid that you won’t be able to make it look how you want, there is no shame in hiring someone to do the leg work for you. You can use freelancing websites to hire someone that specializes in formatting book covers.
There are also some incredibly talented people on websites like Fiverr. Be aware though, Fiverr advertises things for $5 but a lot of these skills will come at a slightly higher price. There are some that are at $5 but the prices can go up to $125 or more for premium services.
The best way is to look through listings and examples and find the person that is right for you and your book!
Conclusion
That covers 5 easy ways to resize your book cover, from an e-book to print. It can seem daunting but follow the steps and you shouldn’t have too many problems, especially for a simple resizing.
However, if you are having a hard time or the cover is getting rejected by Amazon or Ingram sparks, there is nothing wrong with hiring a professional to help you out. Your book is your baby and it deserves the best treatment!
