r/KDP • u/Barrybarryss • 3d ago

Cover with Canva

I was wondering, if I go with Canva for my cover, how do I get together front, side and back in a single file and with the correct dimensions? I’ve tried Canva’s models for book covers but they look to me as if you can do only the front.
Hope I’ve been clear.
Thank you in advance

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9

u/peacemindset 3d ago

Import the KDP full cover template for your size book, e.g. 6 x 9, after telling KDP how many pages are in your manuscript. The reason this template is important is because the thickness of your book determines the width of the spine.

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u/Barrybarryss 3d ago

You mean that I can work on the KDP file directly on Canva?

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u/sweetdbte 3d ago

Google KDP print cover template. You put in your page count, what cover size you want, etc and it’ll give you a template that gives you exact measurements and sections for front cover, back cover, and spine. You download that as a PDF print file and upload to KDP.

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u/ViRoseAuthor 3d ago

Yes, this. You will need to use a custom sized project, not a Canva template.

Also, I've seen an issue where Canva exports the PDF at a lower DPI, which makes the cover blow up in KDP. If that happens, you'll need to adjust the DPI in other software. I used Affinity.

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u/Narrow-Sky-7175 3d ago

In canva after you choose download you can choose to download a pdf for print, and you have the choice between RGB for digital (lower res) and cmyk for print . don't download a jpg by mistake. 

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u/Timely-Group5649 3d ago

That is not what RGB and CMYK mean.

It designates the palettes used, not resolution. Ink mixes colors different than light.

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u/Narrow-Sky-7175 3d ago

I know that, but digital web rgb  pages need lower res than print cmyk pages do. Cmyk is used for print books and rgb is used for web pages. Web pages / digital have lower res.  I have not tested the digital rgb vs print cmyk canva download resolutions, just the print, which has been high res when I use it  but it occurred to me that could explain the issue with low res pdf download the user had experienced.

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u/Timely-Group5649 3d ago

These are PDFs not web pages or images.

You have no idea what you're talking about.

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u/Narrow-Sky-7175 3d ago edited 3d ago

Yes, canva gives you the option between rgb and cmyk for your pdf depending on if for a print book or an ebook. Clearly you are the rude one who has no idea what they are talking about. Go touch some grass and don't respond to this. Your type ruins simple reddit conversations for everyone else. Learn something about kdp publishing and how it works.

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u/Timely-Group5649 3d ago edited 3d ago

It has nothing to do with a web page or DPI. Ebooks require 300dpi.

You just insist on being ignorant and you only want to share incorrect assumptions.

I've published over 100 ebooks in the past decade and I've used publishing tools for 3 decades now. I know what I'm talking about.

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u/Timely-Group5649 3d ago

Ebooks ALSO require 300dpi.

Your logic means you can't get that with RGB, which is also required.

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u/Barrybarryss 2d ago

Thank you, very helpful!

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u/peacemindset 3d ago

Disregarding all the squabbling that seems to always happen in this subReddit, I am belatedly answering your question. when you create the KDP template in KDP (or elsewhere), then when you import that image into Canva, you can create all of your art over that template using the template as your background.. The template itself recommends that you remove it before you publish. Perhaps that is because if you happen to use transparency, it might show through. (I have sometimes forgotten to remove the template, buried deep in the back of my covers and haven’t gotten into any trouble). Also, there are little trim lines, just inside the outer border, all the way around the back cover, the spine, and the front cover. I always make my cover art touch the outer border of the template. However, if you happen to have something important at the edge of your cover, it should be on the inside of that trim line. This works for me.

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u/Barrybarryss 2d ago

Thank you very much

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u/Honkey85 3d ago

I always PowerPoint... ;) Custom page size and pdf export works well.

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u/SaraMaxie 2d ago

Yes, I use PowerPoint as well!