Free tool · Authors & publishers

Cover templates,
built to your spec

Choose your binding, enter your trim size, page count and paper, and download a correctly sized layout template with every fold, bleed, hinge and overhang marked. Use it to position your artwork, then remove the template markings before exporting your finished cover.

5Template types
PDFMeasured design guides
AutoSpine from our paper data
0Login required
STEP 1

Choose your cover type

Each type produces a different template, paperbacks fold around the spine, cased hardbacks wrap over boards with a hinge and overhang, jackets and gatefolds add flaps, and printed endpapers are a folded sheet at your trim size.

Want to design a paperback or printed hardback cover in your browser? Our Cover Builder and step-by-step guide help you start with a layout and add your words and artwork.

STEP 2

Enter your specifications

Spine width is calculated from your page count and paper using our production data, the exact figure our bindery works to.

Your book

Paperback template
Total pages, including blanks.
Paper list & spine pulled from our production system
Fold-in flap on front & back. Typical 80 to 100mm.

Before sending your finished cover: hide or remove the template artwork, labels and guide lines. Export only your cover artwork, including the required bleed or turn-ins, with no crop marks. Do not flatten a marked template or a screenshot into your final PDF.

Live preview

Paperback

Designing your hardback case How it's built

    Spine width…
    Each cover panel…
    Total template size…
    Allowances…

    DESIGN YOUR BOOK

    Still working
    on your cover?

    Have your book size and page count ready? Create the artwork in Cover Builder with editable templates, your own text and images, already sized for your paperback or printed hardback.

    Try it without an account. Sign in to save your work.

    All the Miles Home, an example paperback cover The Little Moon Explorer, an example paperback cover The Seasonal Kitchen, an example paperback cover
    Example designs. Make something that feels like you.
    What the guides mean

    Every line, explained

    Looking for artwork and an editable design? Explore our premade book cover collection. This tool creates blank layouts with measurements and print guides.

    Bleed

    Artwork runs past the trim line so cutting never leaves a white sliver. Marked in red.

    Board face

    Hardback boards overhang the pages 5mm at the fore-edge and 3mm at head & tail, and sit back at the spine for the joint. Design full-bleed to the board edge.

    Hinge

    On a PPC case, an 11mm groove between board and spine lets it open. (Hidden under a dustjacket.)

    Flap / turn-in

    Jackets & gatefolds fold inward; cased cases wrap 20mm behind the board (turn-in). New to jackets? Dust jackets, explained.

    Cover ready? Let's print it.

    Run your finished artwork through a free file check, or get an instant quote on your run. Logged-in publishers can pull these dimensions straight from a saved title.