How To Create A Book Cover In Affinity Publisher (KDP Book Cover Template)

About this video

The creator shows how to create a correctly sized KDP paperback book cover in Affinity Publisher using Amazon’s official cover template. The key starting point is knowing the interior page count, because spine width depends on it: his example interior is a screen time tracker with 150 pages, an 8 by 10 trim size, and white paper. He enters those details on the Kindle Direct Publishing cover template tool, downloads the template PNG, and reads the dimensions from it. He calculates the full cover width as back cover plus spine plus front cover plus bleed on each side — the spine in this example is 0.34, each cover is 8 inches plus 0.125 bleed, giving a total width of 16.59 — and a height of 10.25 from the 10 inch trim plus bleed. He creates a new Affinity Publisher document at exactly those dimensions with facing pages turned off, places and centers the template PNG as a guide, and designs over it while keeping text and important elements away from the red/marked unsafe areas, which he says will cause KDP to reject the cover, fading the template layer to check placement. When the design is done he exports via File > Export as PDF using the PDF for Print preset at 300 DPI, then uploads the interior and cover in the KDP dashboard, checks the preview to confirm the cover fits correctly with the right margins and borders, and approves it before moving to pricing. He notes he outsources most design work himself, stresses that every book differs because page count changes the spine, and mentions his interior templates are also offered in InDesign, PowerPoint, and Affinity Publisher formats.

Key takeaways

• Start from the exact interior page count, trim size, and paper color — spine width changes with page count, so every book needs its own template.
• Download the official KDP cover template and calculate full size as back + spine + front + bleed; his 150-page, 8 x 10 example is 16.59 wide by 10.25 high with a 0.34 spine.
• Create the Affinity Publisher document at those exact dimensions with facing pages off, and center the template PNG as your placement guide.
• Keep all text and key artwork clear of the template’s marked unsafe/red areas or KDP will reject the cover.
• Export as PDF for Print at 300 DPI, then verify fit, margins, and borders in the KDP previewer before approving.

Episode details: published January 29, 2021 · 8:48 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are RJ Martinez’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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