EBook Cover Design - Yes, You Can Do It for Free!

It 's been statistically demonstrated that the eBook with an attractive cover graphics, outsell those that do not have a cover graphic. So if you are building any kind of written product information, it is imperative that you have an album art with it, and let's face some facts, people like to "see" what they are buying ... Thus, an eBook Cover Graphics gives people a view of your product.

There are two ways to acquire a nice cover graphic eBook:

1) Pay a designer to make a ... This can cost anywhere from $ 50 to $ 100 +.

2) Design the cover the same graph.

Now, I realize that you may not want the hassle of learning a piece of software, or can only produce an information product (eBook) ... If this is the case, then pay a designer would be the logical solution. But, for those with more time than money, or for those who want to create a lot of information products (and do not want to pay more taxes for designers), there is a simple and free: GIMP

GIMP is a FREE software to 100%, and you can find the link for download by searching Google or Yahoo for "GIMP download" ... You will find many different websites that offer free.

GIMP has a user interface very similar to Adobe PhotoShop software (which costs around $ 600), and it was really the only way to make professional looking eBook covers, until the GIMP software was available.

Now, do not get me wrong, I still prefer Photoshop, since it is the program I've ever used and I am aware. In addition, I have already paid, so I may use it. But, for those who have a limited budget, you can start the production of web graphics for almost any purpose: e-books, banners, headers, etc. .. FREE software with the GIMP.

There is something to be said about making your own graphics:

1) You have full control of the result: You know how you want the product to be represented, so do it yourself puts you in complete control of every aspect of your products look, feel, and design.

2) The savings add up very quickly: You can change your pictures products at any time, without additional costs that would have to pay a designer. This alone is worth the time involved with learning a new piece of software.

After downloading and installing the software GIMP ... Following are the basic steps to make your own eBook cover:

STEP # 1
- From the menu bar at the top ... Click: File, New.
- Width = 500, height = 750
- Click "OK"

STEP # 2
- From the menu bar at the top ... click: Layer, New Layer.
- Layer Name = Frontal
- Width = 250, height = 350
- Set "Layer Fill Type" = Foreground Color
- Click "OK"
Change the color layer to a "blue" ...

STEP # 3
- From the menu bar at the top ... click: Layer, New Layer.
- Name = Top Layer
- Width = 250, height = 50
- Set "Layer Fill Type" = Foreground Color
- Click "OK"
- Change the color of a light gray

STEP # 4
- From the menu bar at the top ... click: Layer, New Layer.
- Layer Name = Side
- Width = 375, height = 50
- Set "Layer Fill Type" = Foreground Color
- Click "OK"
Change the color of a yellow

Move the layers around so you can see all three.

STEP # 5
- Click at the "front" in the Layers
- Click on "Text Tool"
- Click the text box on the image front layer
- Type in the text, then click Close
- Adjust the text according to your needs (size, font, etc..)

STEP # 6
- Click on layer "side" in the Layers
- Click on "Text Tool"
- Click the text box on the image side of the layer
- Type in the text, then click Close
- Adjust the text as needed

STEP # 7
- In the Levels list box, you can "merge down" by right clicking on the text layer, and then select the "Merge down". Make sure your text is located directly above the object you want to merge with.

STEP # 8
- Flip-side layer around ... by:
- Click in the box at Side Layers
- Click on the menu bar at the top level
- Click Transform Layer
- Click Wheel 90 'time

STEP # 9
- Save File ... by:
- Click on File from the menu bar above
- Click Save
- File Name ... make sure you label extension the.xcf
- Save in the folder where you want to be saved on your computer

STEP # 10
- Add final layer
- Click on the menu bar at the top level
- Click the New Layer
- Name "Finished"
- Width = 250
- Height = 375
- Type of fill level = white
- Click OK

STEP # 11
- From the top menu bar, click on Filters
- Click on Map
- Click Map '
- On a new window ... change "Plane" to "Box"
- Click on Show Preview Wireframe
- Click on the "Orientation" ...
- Under "Rotation" heading, change X to 15
- Change Y to -20
- Leave in September to Z 0
- Click on the "Box"
- Under "image map is located in front of the box" item, change front to front.
- Change the top Top
- Change right to side
- Scale X = 0.50
- Scale Y = 0.50
- Scale Z = 0.08
- Click on Preview - NOTE: The thumbnail size will not be to scale.
- Click OK

EBook Layer Finished Finished appear.

The above steps are the foundation for the creation of a Design eBook Cover with GIMP software.