Have you ever seen someone on the cover of a book and wondered who this person is? You are not alone, as many people have asked this question.

If you want to learn who is on the cover of a book, contact the publisher and ask. If you are searching for someone to be the cover model for your book, it can be helpful to find out. You may also contact the photographer or artist who helped design the cover.

A great book cover will typically sell more than a lackluster one. If you want to know how to find out who is on the cover of a book, peruse this article.

How Do I Find Out Who Is On the Cover of a Book?

It may seem like an impossible task to find out who is on the cover of your favorite book, but it is not.

The Publisher’s Copyright Page

Go to the copyright page. The book’s publisher owns the picture on the cover and is legally obliged to credit the performer or photographer of the picture. You can contact the publisher directly and ask who is on the cover of your book.

Contact the Publisher

You can often find out a lot of information by contacting the publisher. However, if you are interested in the model on the cover for romantic reasons, the publisher may not help you. Make sure you do not arouse suspicion. A better explanation for wanting to know this information is if you want to use the model for the cover of your book.

Contact the Cover Artist

You may contact the photographer or artist who is responsible for the cover. They can tell you who the model is or the agency from which they are employed. The photographer or artist can tell you where the photo was taken or where it comes from. You may find out that what you believed was a photograph was the work of a very talented artist.

Get Help from Librarians

You can track down the photo, as some covers are illustrated with pictures from the Library of Congress or another historical collection. You can send a copy of the image to the librarians at the archive. They may know where the picture comes from and the person in it. The librarian may be able to help by giving you important clues.

What Do People Think of When They Hear a Cover Model?

Two notable names come up when you think of the quintessential cover model for a book. These names include Fabio and Cindy Guyer. When you think of romance novels, these are the two most popular names.

Cindy Guyer

Cindy Guyer was discovered by Wilhelmina International Inc. when she was 14 years old. She became the most popular female model to grace romance novel covers. Her nicknames, “Miss Romance” and “Poster Girl for Passion, “came from her being on the cover of thousands of romance novels in her day.

In addition to her plethora of romance novel covers, she also appeared on the cover of Nancy Drew’s books. She cultivated a niche in book cover modeling. She heavily increased book sales for the romance genre and was also an actress.

Fabio Lanzoni

Fabio became famous by posing on Joanna Lindsey’s romance novel covers. Elaine Duilio is the cover artist. Often called a “beefcake,” millions of romance novel readers would purchase books simply because he was on the cover. When he first started modeling, he could be found on the cover of magazines, books, and even on video game covers.

Some of the romance novels Fabio has posed for include:

• “Hearts Aflame” 
• “Tender Rebel”
• “Gentle Rogue”
• “The Bride”
• “Tender Rebel”
• “For the Roses”

“Warrior’s Woman” and “Secret Fire” are a couple of other notable mentions. All major publishers wanted to use Fabio as a muse. By the early 1990s, Fabio reached major pop culture status. His name became synonymous with romance novels, and women everywhere swooned at the sound of his name.

Fabio’s name grew even more prominent with his famous “I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter” commercials. Fabio even wrote a few romance novels himself. He published several books which featured him on the cover. To keep himself in peak condition for his novel covers, he has a rigorous workout routine and slumbers in a hyperbaric chamber, which he says helps reverse the aging process.

What Other Celebrities Used to Be Book Cover Models?

Fabio is not the only famous book cover model. Believe it or not, many celebrities used to be book models. The following includes some stars who once represented the main characters in books:

Ally Sheedy 

The famous 80’s actress from “The Breakfast Club” was once on the cover of a book called “The Lost Holiday.” It was a mystery romance.

Amanda Seyfried

It is no coincidence that this actress, best known for her roles in hit teen movies, once graced the cover of a young adult novel called, “My Mother Was Never a Kid.”

Brooke Shields

The once Calvin Klein model was once the cover model for a book called “Helene.” The cover claimed she was “half-child” and “half-woman.”

Courteney Cox 

The famous “Friend” known best for her role as Monica Chandler was once the cover model for a book called “The Last Word.”

Jennifer Connelly

This actress, who secured her big break in the musical fantasy film, “Labyrinth,” was on the cover of a young adult novel called, “Once in California.”

Kirsten Dunst

This actress from “Spider-Man” and “Marie Antionette” was once on the cover of a book from the famous “The Babysitter’s Club” series called “Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls.”

Reese Witherspoon

Ms. Witherspoon of “Legally Blonde” fame was once on the cover of a book called “The Luck of Pokey Bloom.” Elle Woods would undoubtedly approve.

Sandra Bullock 

The actress who won Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2009 for her part in “The Blind Side” was just a young teen when she posed for the cover of a young adult novel called “The Boy She Left Behind.” 

Conclusion

If you want to discover who is on the book’s cover, you can get a hold of the publisher. You never know; you may have spotted a future famous actor or actress.

They say to avoid judging a book by its cover, but many of us do. If you’ve ever fallen in love with a book cover, you’re not alone. Many enjoy the art so much that they want to determine who designed the cover. How can you find this information? Is it possible to determine who created the front of a novel?

Here are five ways to find out who designed a book cover:

1. Examine the cataloging page
2. Search the internet
3. Check the cover
4. Contact publishing companies
5. Examine similar books

These should provide the answer.

If you’re interested in learning more about who designed a book cover, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn about the five best ways to find this information, from contacting the publisher to searching the internet. The more you know, the better you will have access to the responsible artist.

1. Examine the Cataloging Page

One of the best ways to determine the designer is to examine the cataloging page of the book. This section is on the back of the title page. Here, you will note a chunk of tiny text. If you look closely enough at these words, you should see the creator of the book cover.

It may be tricky to determine the book cover designer at first glance. Look carefully for a name and an indicator that they are the person who designed the book. From there, you can look up the title to ensure that the individual is a designer, not an author, publisher, or editor in the book world.

2. Search the Internet

Another method is to search the internet. With the vast amount of information available today, you will find yourself trekking down a rabbit hole toward your question. Many publishers post the designer, and those designers have websites and further information to examine.

You may want to search for items like:

• The title of the book
• The author’s name
• The publishing house
• The specific cover of the book

Any identification for your version of the novel will work well.

It may take a little searching and refining to locate the answer. If the first method doesn’t work, the internet is the ideal place. If that doesn’t appeal to you, it’s time to turn back to the book itself.

3. Check the Cover

You can also examine the cover itself. If the majority of the piece is a work of art, the creator will occasionally sign their name or leave another distinctive feature on the work. The cover is full of information to help you determine the individual responsible for the cover image. It might be hidden to prevent distraction from the book.

The best places to look include the bottom of the page, the top, and places in the art with room for a signature. Once you locate those spots, check to ensure there isn’t an artist’s signature.

4. Contact Publishing Companies

Another excellent method is to contact the publishing company that put the book out. They should be able to provide you with the cover artist and any additional information you need. The smaller the publishing company, the more likely you are to gain access to knowledge surrounding the creation of the cover.

If your book cover came from an indie publishing company, you may be able to find the information on the website without contacting them. If it’s from one of the bigger publishing houses, further contact is necessary.

5. Examine Similar Books

Another method is to examine similar books. If the cover art and design look the same, it’s likely the cover was formed by the same artist. You can look at those books to uncover further information about who created each cover option. You can research these books on the internet.

This method is the least recommended. It will take more hunting and examination than the other four.

Final Thoughts

If you love a book cover, it may be critical to determine who designed the page. There are several ways to accomplish this task. You can examine the cataloging page, search the internet, check the cover, contact publishers, and even examine similar books. It shouldn’t take long to find the right answer.

We hope this information was helpful! If you need a quality designer, locating the creator of a book cover will be beneficial. There are many ways to accomplish this task, so you don’t need to worry about never learning the answer. Once you know, you can follow more of their work or hire them for your needs.

Every author should plan to work with an experienced graphic designer to make the cover of their book. Designing the cover yourself or using a template will not produce a professional looking result.

There are companies that have professional designers, and websites devoted to finding artists for a book cover. You need to choose a designer who best knows how to navigate your genre. The most important step in the process is to know your options.

A creative and compelling book cover sells more copies. If you want to know how to find an artist for a book cover, peruse this article.  

How Can I Find an Artist for a Book Cover?

Finding an artist for a book cover can be tricky, but that is why you need a good publisher. You need someone who will listen to you and know the true vision of the story. The following include steps you must take to find the right artist for your book cover:

Let the Publisher Know What You Want

When you hire a traditional publisher, they typically provide you with a questionnaire concerning what you would like to see an artist do with your book cover. Some examples of what they may want to know:

• The character’s hair and eye color
• Any important scenes in your book
• The title and any design you want
• What color you want the book to be

When you have a book cover in mind that you think would be a good idea, you need to get the details together. Your publisher can help you find the right cover artist. However, if you are self-published, it is entirely your decision what you want for your cover.    

Know Your Options

You can try to design your own book cover, but that may not be the best route to take. There are a plethora of graphic designers who design book covers. You need to have your publisher look into finding a designer who will work with your ideas to create the perfect book cover for your genre. For example, if you write historical fiction, you may want a designer who can replicate Victorian style writing.

You may also want to try an online company that specializes in creating book cover designs, such as Andy Carpenter Design or Baily Design Books. You can choose the best ideas for your book cover by searching on these sites. The genre in which you write will help you choose the best designer for your book.  

Hire a Graphic Designer

You can go with a company, or you can go online and look at Reedsy marketplace. You can look at the work of the graphic designers and invite a couple to pitch for a job and agree on a contract. You can also check out the ebook cover design awards and see the work of the winners. Reach out to a few of them and discuss prices and their approach to designing to see if it jives with your approach as an author.

Figure Out How Much Money You Want to Spend

The rice you pay on a book cover should depend on how much detail you want to put into it. For example, if you want an elaborate, intricate looking cover design, you will likely need to spend more money, such as if you are writing in the fantasy genre. If this is the case, you may want a cover design with:

• Fairytale settings
• Dark forests
• Shiny daggers
• Dragons

The above are all examples of designs you could find on the cover of a fantasy novel. Sophisticated imagery that is authentic and unique tends to cost more than an amateur graphic designer who comes cheap and cannot create elaborate scenery. The cover should give a strong indication of which genre you belong as an author.

Always pick a designer who works in your genre and pay them promptly. If you want a good relationship with your professional team, whether it is your publisher, editor, or book cover artist, you should aim to be a good client who is appreciative of hard work.

Pro Tip: If you find yourself on a shoestring budget, you can always use a book cover template and customize it to your specific book. These are 100% legal and copyright-free options for making a book cover, and they fit into a tiny budget!

Go with Different Examples of Covers

You should pick out different examples of covers that you may want your potential cover artist to consider. You should send them lots of different covers so that there is a greater chance of them being able to use one of them, or at the very least, putting a cover together that uses elements of the covers you suggest. Find the right person for the job.

If you are creating a series of books, it is even more difficult to choose, and you will want a professional to help you figure it out. It is also important to know that whichever graphic designer you choose will not actually be reading your book, which is why you need to send them your back blurb. If you find an artist that can work with your ideas and whom you respect, give them a chance.

Be Prepared

No matter how much you prepare for the cover designer you want, sometimes it does not always work out. Sometimes an artist whom you love and feel comfortable with may drop the ball, their schedule may change, or they may change their price to an amount you cannot afford.

If you want to be prepared, you need to have a list of at least three or four other cover designers you may want to work with. Also, there is no law that says that you must choose only one cover artist to work with. It is possible to work with someone specific for one book, then someone else for another. 

Conclusion

When you choose an artist to design the cover of your book, there are several steps you need to take. Pick a graphic designer who best fits with your vision as an author and whose talent you respect and admire.

Digital art is exploding online with many artists showing off beautiful and creative masterpieces every minute. The best part is, regardless of your tools, you can join them and make amazing artwork too!

You can use tools you already have like a mouse, a trackpad, your laptop screen, or a phone app to create digital artwork on your laptop without the use of a stylus.

In this article, you’ll see how easy it is to do digital art on a laptop without a pen. Read on to find out how!

Here’s How to Create Digital Art With No Stylus

There are several ways you can create digital art on a laptop using just what you have, without the need to invest in a stylus. In fact, you can do it right now, without needing to buy anything else.

The first thing to do is get yourself comfortable and set up your workspace. You don’t need much; just a mouse, trackpad or tablet will work just fine. Once you’ve got your canvas ready to go, let’s get started!

Alternative Ways to Make Digital Art Without a Stylus

Graphic design online is easy to learn and you can do it from anywhere. You don’t need a fancy pen or stylus. There are many kinds of digital art, and many resources to help you get started that you may even be using right now.

Here are a few ideas:

• A Mouse: A desktop mouse can be effective in drawing online and is the best option for older laptops that don’t have touch screen capabilities.
• A Trackpad: This is more accurate than a mouse and can make your artwork match the direction of your fingers as if you were actually drawing.
• A Touchscreen: A touch screen and finger is a fantastic way to draw without a stylus. You can use your finger to mimic the pen stroke and the screen will recognize your actions.
• External software: An external app can be used to complete your drawings and then you can transfer your work to your laptop or even view it in real time.

Get creative with what you have .If you don’t have a smart pen or pencil, there are other objects that can be used. For example, use your finger to draw on the screen of your laptop. This gives you more room for creativity and flexibility when you design your graphics.

You Can Use a Mouse

You can use your mouse to draw, and it can be much more accurate than you may think. The scroll wheel on your mouse is great for zooming in and out of images, text, and graphics. You can even use it to pan around a page or image.

A desktop mouse is small enough to fit easily in a backpack or briefcase, so you can take it anywhere. In some cases, a mouse is the preferable item to use over a trackpad because you can have one hand free.

Many people are used to a desktop mouse, so much that it feels second nature to them. This means that when you’re drawing online, you won’t have to learn or get used to how to maneuver and perform actions, you do it with your mouse the same way you do anything else.

Use Your Trackpad

If you don’t have a pen, but want to do digital art on your laptop, this is the next best thing. The trackpad offers a number of useful features that can help you create artwork.

You can use the trackpad to move objects around the screen. It will also zoom in and out when you press down on it with two fingers.

This can emulate the use of a stylus because you can use your finger in much the same way as a stylus would. Just watch the screen to make sure there aren’t any discrepancies and you’ll be drawing before you know it

Use a Tablet

If you’ve got a laptop, chances are it doesn’t have a pen built in. If you want to do some digital art using your laptop, you could use it like a tablet. The vast majority of modern day laptops have touch screens, and this is perfect for the aspiring digital artist.

Tablets are great for this kind of work because they give you much more room than a laptop screen and they don’t need any special equipment like pens or styluses.

You can also detach them from their keyboards when working on the go if necessary—a huge plus if you want to take your drawings off site!

Download an App to Use Your Phone

The first thing you need to do is download a software that will use your phone as a stylus. There are several options which can be downloaded for free on both iOS and Android.

Just launch the app, and then put your finger over the area where you want to write or draw. The app you download will automatically recognize your drawing area and start tracking it with the help of your phone’s camera sensor.

Then, all you have to do is write or draw normally—and voila! You now have beautiful digital art created by nothing other than yourself.

Start Creating!

Now that you have your pen and laptop ready, it’s time to start creating! No matter what you choose to draw, you shouldnt be limited by your hardware if you don’t have a stylus. Remember, styluses are a fairly modern trend, and the internet had billions of wonderful pieces of artwork before they became commonplace.

Another way you can make designs without a stylus is to check out an online graphic design software to take care of graphics and design for you. This will save you the trouble of having to do everything yourself.

Concluding Thoughts

We hope we’ve helped you get started on your journey to becoming a digital artist! It may be disheartening to not have a fancy stylus or smart pen, but it certainly isn’t needed to design wonderful graphics and pieces of artwork. With a little bit of creativity and the tools you likely already have at your disposal, you’ll be drawing in no time!

There are a ton of graphics programs out there. Some are free, whereas others come with a hefty fee. Finding a program that matches the user’s exact needs is great but finding one that fits the budget is even better. One popular piece of artistic software is PaintTool SAI.

PaintTool SAI has a one-time cost of approximately $50 USD, though the price may fluctuate. It does come with a free 31-day trial period that includes all features of the full software. Purchasing the license also allows access to PaintTool SAI 2 for no additional cost.

This is a program that comes highly recommended by artists all over the world. It is extremely lightweight and user friendly, so many artists find the one time cost reasonable. Keep reading for

What Is PaintTool SAI?

PaintTool SAI is a graphics software made by SYSTEMAX Software to be lightweight and artist friendly. It has numerous tools and features at its disposal with a simple yet effective UI, making it a popular choice for digital artists.

Some things you can do with Paint Tool SAI include but are not limited to:

• Layers
• Canvases
• Color palettes
• Brushes
• Export work to PSD or BMP
• Pen pressure sensitivity support

It is important to note that this is not an image editing software. While some minor adjustments can be made, it’s really not the goal of the program. This helps keep it lightweight and optimized for art, without a bunch of additional bells and whistles that some other programs have.

How Much Does PaintTool SAI Cost?

Sometimes programs have additional costs besides the set cost to buy it. Is PaintTool SAI different?

PaintTool SAI costs approximately $50 USD. This is barring any adjustments made throughout the year including sales and any taxation requirements. The best part about this is that this is a one time fee rather than being a subscription-based service like some other notable competitors.

Once the license is purchased, it allows access to the upgraded version of the program as well without any additional fees. This license is limited to the computer and needs to be redownloaded to use on multiple devices.

Does PaintTool SAI Have a Free Trial?

What if you want to try it out before spending a pretty penny on this program?

PaintTool SAI does in fact have a 31-day free trial advertised on their official website. This trial includes all of the features of the program with no strings attached. Once this trial period is over, users can choose whether or not to purchase the license.

 This license is shipped as a digital certificate that includes a password to access the files needed to unlock the full program, as well as access to SAI 2 as development for the original has been canceled.

Can You Download PaintTool SAI for Free?

The only place where PaintTool SAI should be downloaded from is the official sources, which comes with a fee after the trial period of 31 days is complete.

While there are many sites that claim to give out the program for free, this is considered illegal in most cases and areas and is strongly discouraged even where it may not be. These bootleg versions may come with a whole host of problems including viruses, malware, and legal repercussions. It’s best to stick to the official sources and be safe.

What Is the Difference Between PaintTool SAI and PaintTool SAI 2?

There are not many differences between the original version of PaintTool SAI and the updated one. However, most users agree that this optional upgrade is well worth it. Thankfully, it is possible to get the license key free for SAI 2 if the original was purchased, so there’s no downside to at least trying it and seeing if it works out.

Here are some of the notable differences that the updated version has over the original:

• Text tools
• Work Recovery
• Scatter brushes
• Higher layer limit
• Rulers

Do note that some of the original brushes will have to be remade in order to use with SAI 2 as they don’t always transfer over smoothly. This might not be an issue however if jumping straight to using the upgrade rather than starting with just the base, or if those brushes aren’t used in the first place.

Alternatives to PaintTool SAI

Depending on the needs for the program, there are numerous alternatives to PaintTool SAI out there, both free and paid. If the goal is for an image editing software, look for something that is actively stated to be such rather than something stating it is an artistic graphics suite.

Here are a few alternatives for PaintTool SAI to consider:

Free Alternatives	Paid Alternatives
Krita GIMP Inkscape Paint.NET	Adobe Illustrator Photoshop Corel Painter Clip Studio Paint Procreate

Do note that this is not an all-inclusive list, just some of the most common and highly rated ones. Be sure to weight the options based on individual needs and budget if needing to select an alternative, and ensure that there are no additional fees, subscriptions, or premium services that might change the price down the line.

What are the System Requirements for PaintTool SAI?

While the program is lightweight, there are some requirements as noted on the SYSTEMAX website. Following these requirements ensures that the program runs as intended.

These are the minimum requirements as officially outlined on the website:

• Computer: PC/AT (not virtual machine)
• OS: Windows 2000 or later and will work on 64bit Windows
• CPU: Pentium 450MHz or later (requires MMX support)
• System Memory (RAM): 128MB for Windows 2000, 256MB for Windows XP, 1024MB for Windows Vista or later
• HDD: 512MB free space
• Graphics Card: Resolution 1024×768, “32bit True Color” screen
• Support Device: Wintab compatible digitizer with pressure support

For the most part, modern machines will have no trouble operating the program. Unfortunately, it is not supported on MacOS, virtual machines, or tablets.

Conclusion

PaintTool SAI is a wildly popular tool for digital artists, and for good reason. It’s lightweight enough to even function smoothly on older Windows machines, while being powerful enough to create some amazing works of art. It was designed with artists in mind, as evident by the fabulous user interface and plethora of tools available.

It does come with a one time fee; however, this does include a 31-day free trial and access to the upgraded version at no additional cost. Just be sure to always download from official sources and enjoy!

In the old days when dinosaurs roamed the earth, we used to use what is now referred to as paper for composing design ideas and layouts. Adobe Illustrator has removed the need for such archaic methods by developing artboards. You may be wondering how to add an artboard in Illustrator so you too can maximize the creativity of your designs. 

It is very simple to add an artboard in Illustrator, whether you are creating a new file or adding to an existing one. Artboards can be customized to be any height or width and changed in the settings menu if necessary.

To learn more about adding artboards in Illustrator and other helpful information, continue reading.

Adding An Artboard In Illustrator – What You Need To Know

Creating a new artboard in Adobe Illustrator is a cinch and only takes a few seconds.

1. You must first begin by opening the Illustrator program and accessing the “File” menu.
2. Once the menu has opened select “New”. Now a dialog box will pop up presenting you with options for sizing.
3. Additionally, you have to option to create as many artboards upon start-up as you like. To the right side of the “New” dialog box is an option where you can choose how many artboards you want for the project you are working on.  

Illustrator can hold up to  100 artboards in one file, so you should not have to worry about running out of room to put all of your ideas. Once you have selected your desired settings just hit the “Enter” key and get to work.

Adding Artboards To Existing Illustrator Files

You may be wondering what happens if you are already working on a file in Illustrator and you realize that you need more artboards.

Don’t worry, because it is just as easy to add artboards to an existing file as it is to create a new file. To add more artboards to the file you are currently working on follow these steps.

First, locate and click on the Artboard menu. Once the dialog box opens you can select the size and quantity of artboards you wish to add.

You can also create your artboard from that menu by clicking and dragging on the screen to create a custom-sized board.

Now you know how to create new artboards but you may still be wondering what they are used for and why they are so great.

Why Use Artboards In Illustrator?

Understanding how to create or add new artboards is just one step in the design process. The list below gives further reasons as to why artboards are so great and why you should use them when working with Adobe Illustrator.

Easy To Use And Customizable

Adobe Illustrator has made it super easy to create and add artboards. The menu is easily accessible and gives plenty of room for customization.

The fact that you can use as many artboards in any size as you like makes designing in Illustrator easy.

Being able to view multiple ideas at one time is very appealing to artists and designers who are unsure of which direction they want to go with a particular project.

Artboards Are Necessary For Saving Your Work

When it comes to saving your work in Illustrator it must be done a certain way in order for it to be correctly exported. Some illustrator projects cannot be saved without the use of an artboard.

Illustrator allows you to select which artboards you can save so for example, if you have fifty art boards open and you only wish to keep or save twenty you can do that by selecting the range option and inputting the number of boards you wish to save.

If you simply select the “save-as” option and hit enter it will compress and save all of the boards even the ones you didn’t want to save. This option for saving is also good because it allows you to select which type of file you want such as a .jpeg, .pdf, or.png format.

Keeping Your Thoughts And Ideas Organized Increases Productivity

If you are like most artists or designers there are a lot of creative thoughts bumping around in your head. It can be difficult to organize those thoughts and ideas sometimes but with the help of Illustrator’s artboards, the process becomes less daunting.

The fact that you can use up to 100 artboards per file gives you a lot of room to be creative as a designer. You can use one board for each idea or duplicate the boards you are working on to make changes and compare to see which design you like the best.

When your thoughts and ideas are organized in a way that you can visually see them it can make the design process go much faster and also help you to see things from a different perspective.

Viewing your ideas from different perspectives can open your mind to new design possibilities and really improve the look of your work.

Explore And Experiment With Illustrator And Artboards

The old saying that practice makes perfect has never been more true than when it comes to working with Adobe Illustrator.

Illustrator has a lot of really great tools and features to help designers produce the best work possible. This is why it is so important to keep experimenting and practicing with the tools and features they provide.

Taking the time to learn how all of the tools work and what they are capable of will help you to grow as a designer.

Additionally, the more you practice using Illustrator and artboards the faster you will become which means more time for designing or doing the fun things that you love.

Adding Artboards Is A Snap With Illustrator

Now you know how to easily create a new artboard or add to an existing file so you can realize as many ideas as your mind can come up with. The more you practice using artboards the more you will find that they are a great addition to your designer’s toolbox.

If you are beginning to create a logo for your brand, a common concern is that you may be copying from copied artists. Accidental discoveries of one copying from the other can happen unintentionally, and there could be legal troubles that could potentially arise from that. However, there are ways to ensure whether your logo already exists or not to avoid any complications.

To check if a logo exists, conduct a reverse image search, speak with a lawyer, look at other competitors for similarities, or trademark search for any logo similarities. However, after you’ve determined that your logo doesn’t exist, it is essential to look into various forms of logo protection.

Throughout this article, we will learn about how to check if a logo already exists, how to protect your logo from being copied, and determine if it is better to copyright or trademark your logo.

How to Check If a Logo Already Exists?

Creating anything artistic can often be overwhelming and exhausting. It ensures that your logo is original and not a copy of anyone else. Luckily, there are different ways to check if the logo that you’ve created already exists.

These different ways include:

1. Reverse image search
2. Look at the competition for any similarities
3. Trademark search for any similarities
4. Speak with a lawyer

Let’s continue to read more about how to check if a logo already exists.

Ways to Check If a Logo Already Exists

Ensuring that your logo is original is important, so it is good to check if your logo already exists or not. Let’s continue reading to learn about four ways to check if a logo already exists.

1. Reverse Image Search

A reverse image search is an easy and quick way to see if your logo already exists. By adding your logo on a reverse image search, you will be able to tell if your logo already exists or not online. By seeing if it exists, you can further research later to ensure the logo is trademarked or copyrighted.

2. Speak with a Lawyer

It is often recommended that you speak with a lawyer if a logo you’ve created is already taken. If you feel like you and another business have the same logo, which could interfere with your brand, then speak with a lawyer about steps you may have to take to avoid any further possible legal trouble.

3. Look at the Competition for Any Similarities

Research your niche competition’s logos to determine any similarities. Color schemes, designs, etc. This can digress any concerns that you may have that your logo and your competition’s logos can seem identical or misleading. Searching for other companies’ logos will encourage you to stand out more and help consumers tell the difference between the various logos.

4. Trademark Search for Any Similarities

Search a trademark database engine to look for various trademark similarities. Websites such as uspto.gov will allow you to search for trademarks or pending trademarks that have been applied that could be similar to yours by searching for words or design marks. If you cannot find similarities between your logo and other logos, you can trademark or copyright your logo.

If you find that your logo does not exist, then to protect it and your brand, there are ways to protect it legally. Let’s continue reading to learn how to protect your logo from being copied.

How to Protect Your Logo From Being Copied?

To protect your logo from being copied by anyone else, you will need to copyright or trademark it.

Copyright or trademark prevents your original artwork from being replicated by anyone else, and you are allowed to take legal action if it does. This also makes it easier for those wanting to ensure they are not copying from others.

To complete either of these options, you will need to complete an application and pay a fee to have your logo trademarked or copyrighted legally. It will typically take several months for it to become finalized. As long as your logo is unique and not stolen, nor shares any outright similarities, it is justifiable to have copyrighted or trademarked.

People with a business, or a unique logo, often wonder whether the best route is to have their logos trademarked or copyrighted. So, as we continue forward, we will read whether it is better to copyright or trademark your logo.

Is It Better to Copyright or Trademark Your Logo?

Copyright and trademarking a logo, or anything of the sort, have some significant differences.

An essential difference between the two is that if you are looking to copyright your logo, this prevents your logo from being copied but does not protect anyone from selling any products by others. Trademarks protect the original logo and legally stop anyone from selling products that compare directly to your products.

When determining which route is best when protecting your logo, the answer is entirely up to you. However, a trademark is the most common route people will go to protect their entire brand, and it is recommended that you consult a legal attorney who will guide you with the best course of action.

Closing

Now that you know how to check if a logo exists, you will know how to create your original logo. You’ve also learned how to protect your logo from being copied and how to copyright and trademark your logo. Also, you’ve discovered whether it is better to copyright or trademark your logo.

If you are worried about people using images that you created without your permission it may be time to consider adding a watermark to your work. You may be wondering what you should put on your watermark and how to use it effectively to reduce the chance of images being used without your permission.

When adding a watermark to your image it is important to do so in a way that does not completely overpower the subject. Simple, monochromatic watermarks with minimal text tend to be the most effective. Images can still be viewed but the watermark is visible enough to deter illegal use.

For more information on how you can better protect your images and what to put in your watermark continue reading.

Minimize The Risk Of Image Theft With Watermarks 

The point of using a watermark is to protect your images from others using them without permission, especially in a commercial manner.

With so many editing programs that have the capability to remove a watermark from an image, you may be wondering if it is even worth the effort of creating and using one for your web images.

Although watermarks can be removed with editing software it is still a good idea to use one. The reason being is that in most cases when images are being used without permission it is done by non-professionals who are simply sharing things they like on the web.

Oftentimes the people using the images without permission are not doing so maliciously they just don’t know any better. If someone uses or shares an image of yours that has a watermark and they don’t remove it you can chalk it up as free publicity.

This can be helpful in some cases as well because if someone likes your work they can reach out to you from the information on the watermark.

On the other hand, if you find that a business or large corporation is using your image(s) for marketing or other money-making purposes you can take legal action.

In most of these situations, the company will remove the image or pay a settlement fee for using it without permission.

Continue reading to learn the most effective way of designing and placing a watermark on your completed image.

Protecting Your Images Without Overpowering Watermarks

Without further ado here is how to create the most effective watermark so you can protect your images without overpowering them.

Simplicity Goes A Long Way

When you are creating a design for your watermark it is important to use a design that is clearly visible yet does not cover the entire image to the point you cannot tell what you are looking at.

Many times people make the mistake of creating a large, bold-looking watermark with lots of text or other designs with the mindset that it will make it more difficult for people to remove.

The problem with that train of thought is that you are then essentially ruining the image that you worked so hard to create.

The people who are intended to view it will not be able to appreciate the full effect of the image because there is a busy watermark blocking their view.

Yes, the goal of a watermark is to deter image thieves however, if you block the whole image you are also deterring the right people from viewing the image. 

In addition, a large and busy-looking watermark makes an image look unprofessional so if you are serious about your work and getting noticed by the correct audience it is essential that you keep it simple.

What Should Be In Your Watermark?

You understand the importance and value that a watermark can add to your web images, but now you are not sure what your watermark should say. The list below will help you to clarify your thoughts on the subject.

Be Purposeful With Your Wording

Many professional designers recommend that you do not use a lot of text in your watermarks as it adds unnecessary confusion and busyness. 

However, if you are going to use text be sure it is done with purpose. For example, you can include your name or the name of your business.

You can also list a phone number, email, or address. Be sure to choose one reliable form of contact rather than listing every possible way a person can reach out to you. Less is more in this situation.

Transparency Matters

A big complaint that many people repeatedly voice is that oftentimes watermarks are too saturated. They cannot see through the watermark to view the actual image.

If they can’t see the picture they will end up looking elsewhere for what they need. To avoid losing viewers and followers be sure your watermark is transparent enough to see the image.

Real Estate Is Not The Only Industry Where Location Matters

The placement of your watermark is nearly as important as its opacity. Although some images make it difficult to do so, you want to try to place the watermark close enough to the image that it is clearly visible to reduce the risk of people cropping it out.

If you must place the watermark over the subject in the image try not to cover the most important parts of the image. Sometimes slightly overlapping a watermark over the edge of the subject is enough to deter people from trying to copy or remove it from the scene.

Many professional photographers will post their watermarks in one of the bottom corners of the photo. This creates a more professional look although it does not protect the image from being copied as much as if you place the mark over the subject.

Size And Color Choices

As mentioned above, a simple clear design is best for an effective watermark. Professionals recommend that you keep the mark small, and use a monochromatic color scheme to help it blend rather than stick out like a sore thumb.

Many professional photographers will create a simplified version of their business logo and use that as their watermark. Not only does it look professional, but it draws awareness to your work and gives people a way of contacting you.

Simple Watermarks Are More Effective

Now you understand the benefits that a watermark can provide and how best to create one that is effective yet not overpowering. If you keep these helpful tips in mind you will find that there will be less copyright infringement on your images as people don’t want the hassle of a legal battle.

There have been many versions of the Windows operating system over the years, each fresh in its way. Graphic designers rely on the capabilities of Windows to do their job, but which Windows version is best suited for graphic design?

The best Windows version for graphic design is Windows 11. Although, this also depends on user preference and what features the designer needs to complete projects.

Windows is heavily used in the graphic design industry. With that in mind, read on to learn more about the best version/s to use and the differences between each.

What Installment of Windows is Most Useful for Graphic Design?

Windows 11 is the newest version of the Windows operating system, and it seems to be very well suited for graphic design based on the following features:

• A built-in Designer app so that those getting started in graphic design can test the waters. It is similar to Canva
• Simplified and cleaner user interface that makes it easier for users to find what they need 
• Small download size leaving more space for your favorite graphic design tools 
• Compatibility with all major graphic design programs including Photoshop and Illustrator 

Windows 11 was designed with ease of use and functionality in mind, so it is the perfect fit for graphic designers, Whether you are just starting or a seasoned pro, you are sure to get the hang of it quickly.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Operating System for Graphic Design

Microsoft, macOS, and Linux are the three most popular computers and operating systems to date. How can graphic designers go about deciding which operating system is right for them? Here are some points to consider when making your choice.

File Compatibility

Windows systems generally have a more significant number of file formats you can choose from and convert to than Macs. This makes sharing files with clients and uploading to portfolios in different formats much easier. The more file types available, the more possibilities for design.

Storage Capacity

With macOS devices, you generally have to pay for more storage once you have reached the designated storage amount. On the other hand, Windows devices can have at least 400 GB of storage on the hard drive, and you can add external storage devices. This means more room on your computer for everything graphic design.

Pen Support

If you are a graphic designer, you likely need to use a pen to complete your artwork. Microsoft launched its first Surface Pen for Windows in 2012, with Apple following in 2015 with the Apple Pencil. In addition, many Microsoft Windows devices like the Surface Pro have tablet functionality so that they can be used both in tablet and Laptop mode.

User Interface Design

When choosing an operating system, you want to make sure that the user interface is user-friendly and makes it easy to access. It should be simple, yet powerful, and have the most used features in plain sight. Every choice made in the design should be purposeful, and make using the OS an enjoyable experience.

Microsoft took user feedback on Windows 10 to create the sleek and ever-evolving Windows 11. They saw that people were struggling to use Windows 10, and made every feature easy to access in Windows 11, removing the need to go searching through 10s of menus to find one function.

These are just some of the most obvious features to look for if you want to be serious about pursuing graphic design, but you may need to keep more things in mind based on personal and or company-specific needs. Even if Mac devices seem to be the hot new thing when it comes to creative pursuits, Windows is still holding its own in the market.

Is Mac or Windows Better for Graphic Design?

Windows and Mac devices have been competing with each other for years, but which one is the best choice overall when considering graphic design? Macs used to reign supreme, but the field has been evening out, so let’s compare the two systems so that you can form your own opinion.

Software Availability

Back in the day, there was some graphic design software that was only available on Mac, which is why many designers would choose them. Now, there is cross-platform support for most, if not all, graphic design apps and tools. However, there are still more options available for PC because of the wider user base, which may be helpful if you need something more specific.

Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop and Illustrator, which are by far some of the most popular apps are supported by both. So, when it comes to software, choosing between Microsoft and Mac comes down to personal preference.

Keep in mind, online graphic designers like Pixlr and Placeit (my #1 recommendation) are becoming more popular and can be used on any device (Windows/Mac/Tablet/Smartphone). They are worth checking out.

Ease of Use 

For a long time, Macs have taken the top spot when it comes to being user-friendly. This is because user experience and workflow improvement have always been at the forefront of their design. Windows has improved user experience over the years and has been adding more features with each release.

All of the Apple products work together really well, and this makes file sharing and productivity very simple. However, Windows wins when it comes to the customization of the desktop. If a simple experience is a top priority for you, go with a Mac.

Graphics, Colors, and Font Types

Since Mac has been the choice for many designers, they are ahead of the game when it comes to font, colors, and graphics. The display colors are brighter and they offer more design possibilities. However, Windows has a wide variety as well and overall the same results can be achieved on both devices, especially with current technology.

Looking at Mac and Windows with these criteria, they are pretty much the same. So, ultimately the choice of device depends on personal preference. 

Conclusion

The best Windows version for graphic design is Windows 11 because of the built-in graphic design software for those just starting and the improved user experience. File compatibility, storage space, pen support, and user-friendliness are all important things to look for when choosing an operating system for graphic design. 

If you are in the digital space and want to ensure your images are being seen by the most people and get high search rankings, well, you may be wondering if watermarks will affect SEO.

The answer is a little complex, but the short answer is that it shouldn’t according to an employee from Google. However, there are a few deeper details in regard to this that can affect SEO.

We’ll be covering the inner workings of watermarks of SEO and how they can affect your rankings, especially in Google image searches. There are a few things that are important before you decide if you want to watermark or not.

Do Watermarks affect SEO

So, according to this blog post on Google Search Central, there is nothing that should affect your SEO on the baseline. However, the better and more high quality your image is, the better the odds are it places higher in rankings.

We’ve all seen watermarked photos in a Google search, even if you’ve scrolled quite a ways, they are there. The biggest thing is making sure the image is not just high-quality, but also a good photo in general. There are plenty of photos that seem good at first but the smaller details can make them unappealing to the general public.

This is where the watermarks can start affecting your rankings. A lot of people find watermarks to be bulky, ugly, and distracting from the image itself. Now, there are ways to add very light watermarks that shouldn’t make your image look cluttered, which will affect the SEO.

High-Quality Images

Now, this is a little harder to define because some people may view one thing as high-quality, while others don’t. It is important to note that there are some basics that all photos should have in them.

The biggest one is clear quality. Grainy, blurry, or pixelated photos are going to struggle to hit any sort of mark in any search image. It’s important that you have high-resolution photos with a clear subject as the focus, or a good landscape that doesn’t have any distractions.

Now, the watermark, if done right, can appear faint and mostly non-distracting. With this, you need to make sure it’s not overlayed super heavily. If you are selling something and it’s a product ad, you can use some tricks and get your brand name in the photo itself without any clutter.

Big overlayed watermarks will also look poor in thumbnails and that will tank you very quickly. Be mindful of how the watermark makes your image look before you decide to go with it or not.

Should You Watermark Photos?

This one does really boil down to you and your preferences. There are some pros and cons for each option, which we will cover and hopefully give you the insight you need in order to hit your SEO ranking.

Pros

Watermarks help deter image thieves from passing off your pictures as their own. Now, some of the savvier ones will just remove watermarks regardless, but it should prevent a lot more theft than if it had no watermark.

Watermarks can also help get your name out there. If you use a nice, clean watermark that brings elegance to your photos and attracts instead of detracts, you can drive traffic to your store or portfolio page.

Cons

The cons of using watermarks are that a lot of people do find them offputting, However, a lot of that can be attributed to heavy overlays and distracting colors. It does take a little bit of research and skill to sort of work around it. This will cost you time and potentially money.

A lot of experts in SEO would recommend not using watermarks because those photos seem to perform less than a photo without one. It’s not an exact science or anything like that, but unless you are specifically looking up stock photos, most images will not be watermarked, at least the high-ranking ones.

Conclusion

Using watermarks can be hit or miss for SEO rankings and it honestly comes down to what you find more important, stamping your work with your name, or hoping you will hit the top searches. Either way has its own risks and only you can decide if it’s worth it.

Researching good, elegant watermarks can be a good medium for using a watermark and also doing well in rankings. The important thing to remember is that you should make sure everything looks high-quality and does not look cluttered.