How To Make A Book Cover In Canva | Amazon KDP Canva

About this video

RJ shows how to create a KDP paperback cover for free using Canva, working an example of a 6x9 book with about 120 pages on white paper. He starts at KDP’s cover template generator, stressing that the correct template depends on both trim size and page count — reusing a generic 6x9 cover will be rejected because the sizing will be off. He downloads the template and breaks down its measurements: a 0.125 bleed on each edge and a 0.27 spine for this page count, then builds the matching custom dimensions in Canva by adding front cover, back cover, spine and bleeds together, arriving at a height of 9.25 inches. In Canva he sets a black background, places a design on the front cover area keeping it inside the safe lines and centered, notes the positioning tools for centering, and optionally adds a matching element such as a fishing pole on the back. He downloads the cover as a PDF print file, uploads it to KDP, and uses the previewer to check it — in his example the upload took about 30 to 40 minutes to populate. He warns that a small white space at the edge in the preview means the dimensions or interior page count do not match the cover and KDP will reject it, a common cause of his early rejections. He also passes on a tip from a prior video: KDP does not allow more than two blank pages back-to-back, so adding page numbers gives blank pages something on them. He frames the free-tool workflow as a way to start without paid software and work up.

Key takeaways

• KDP cover size depends on trim size AND page count — download the matching KDP template instead of reusing a plain 6x9 cover, or it will be rejected
• Build Canva custom dimensions from the template: front + back + spine (0.27 for his 120-page example) + 0.125 bleed on each side, giving a 9.25-inch height for 6x9
• Keep cover art inside the safe lines and centered; Canva’s positioning tools help place the front design and an optional back-cover element
• Use the KDP previewer and zoom in for white edges — RJ says white space signals the cover/interior page-count dimensions mismatch and causes rejections
• KDP will not accept more than two blank pages back-to-back, so RJ suggests adding page numbers so intended blank pages still carry something

Episode details: published August 3, 2019 · 11:44 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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