Skip to content

Paperback Book Cover Template

templates Paperback Book Cover Template

This free book cover template includes a full front and back cover for a paperback or softcover, including an adjustable spine. Super simple to customize with your own sizing and design, this book cover template is the perfect canvas for creating your own print-ready layout.

This flexible template takes out the technical trickery of creating your own cover design, with a spine that can be resized easily, easy-to-edit layers, and a simple yet stylish design. Already set up for full CMYK printing and including a bleed, you can focus your energies on simply creating a cool design for your cover.

Before you go to print: Remember to ask your printer in advance for an accurate spine width for your cover. This will depend both on the number of pages in your book and the paper stock you choose to print on.

Includes the 2 most common paperback cover sizes:

8″ x 5″
PAPERBACK
B-Format
PAPERBACK

 

(Need a slightly different size? Learn how to resize this template )

free book cover templates - InDesign paperback template

Below you can preview the book cover template, download the InDesign file and find a bunch of helpful tips on how to edit your template in InDesign.

Screenshot of full book cover template for paperback. Front cover, adjustable spine and reverse.

Download this Template


Download this paperback book cover template for free (your download will include an INDD file for InDesign CS6 and an IDML version for opening in InDesign CS5 or CC):


Font files

Acre – Font Squirrel 


Help Working with InDesign Templates


We’ve put together a collection of helpful tips to make editing our InDesign Templates super easy. If you’re a newbie to Adobe InDesign it’s worth checking these out before starting work on your design.

How to Open an InDesign Template

Step 1. Download the file.

Step 2. Our InDesign templates are packaged and saved as ZIP files. If you have a Windows computer Right Click > Extract All before opening the InDesign file.

UNLIMITED DOWNLOADS: 50 Million+ Fonts & Design Assets

Step 3. If you’re running InDesign CS6 open the INDD version of the file. If you’re working with InDesign CS4, CS5 or CC open the IDML version.

How to Work With Layers in Your Template

Our InDesign templates are organized into layers, which group similar elements together. The layers in your document can be controlled from the Layers panel (Window > Layers).

Pro tip: Try locking the YOUR IMAGES HERE layer to save time when editing text. This will prevent you from accidentally moving the graphics out of position.

How to edit free InDesign templates from InDesignSkills

How to Change the Colors

The color scheme of this template can be edited from the Swatches panel (Window > Color > Swatches).

How to edit swatches in InDesign templates

Pro tip: Editing a swatch will automatically update all instances of that color across your document.

How to Add Your Own Text

The text across this design can easily replaced with your own copy. Simple use the Type Tool (T) to select the text box you wish to edit. You can then add your own fonts and formatting. Read more about formatting text in InDesign.

How to Add Your Own Images

You’ll notice when you first open the template that all the image frames have a placeholder image. You can insert your own images by selecting the image frame and using File > Place to select a replacement image. Read our beginner’s guide to working with images in InDesign.

Pro tip: Do your images look blurry? Make sure your display is set to high-quality (View > Display Performance > High-Quality Display). To see more accurately how your design will appear when printed go to View > Overprint Preview.

How to Resize Pages in InDesign

It’s simple to change the width of the spine in your template by using the Page Tool (Shift+P). Select the tool and then click onto the spine to select it. You can drag the sides of the page to preview your desired new size. Hold down Alt or Option while you drag to resize the page. how to resize free indesign templates Read more about resizing pages in InDesign.

How to Export Your Document for Printing

Once you’ve completed work on your template and you’re ready to print it  you can head to File > Export. To create a print-ready file, choose Adobe PDF (Print) from the Format drop-down menu in the Export window. Make sure to include the bleed in your export options by checking Use Document Bleed Settings in the Export Adobe PDF window. how to export your InDesign template for printing Read more about prepping your designs for printing in InDesign.

How to Change the Fonts in a Document

You can format individual items of text using the Type Tool (T) and Controls panel, which you’ll find running along the top of the InDesign workspace. The fonts in most templates are not set as InDesign styles. However, it’s easy to create a Character or Paragraph Style using existing text formatting, and then edit this from the Styles panels (Window > Styles). Read more about editing Styles in InDesign.

Discover more advice for InDesign beginners on our Tutorials page. Or why not discover inspiration about typography, layout design and much more right here.