9 Pressbooks: Creating and Adding a Book Cover

This chapter explains how to create a book cover using image research, the approved Adobe Photoshop template, and the book information provided by the project team. It also explains how to export the completed cover as a JPG file and add it to a Pressbook.

Required Files and Information

• The image research presentation or guide.
• The approved book cover template in PSD format.
• Adobe Photoshop.
• The final title of the book.
• The author name or names exactly as they should appear on the cover.
• Any subtitle, or other required information.
• Access to the correct Pressbook.

Download the powerpoint presentattion Doing image search for OER.pptx to learn about how to do an image search for OER.

Download the PSD template to use when creating a cover page.

Step 1: Complete the Image Research

Complete the image research before editing the book cover template.

1. Review the book information: Read the book title, description, subject, intended audience, and any information provided by the project team.
2. Open the image research presentation: Follow the instructions in the image research presentation linked above.
3. Identify suitable concepts: Choose keywords, themes, objects, settings, colours, or visual ideas that represent the book accurately.
4. Find possible images: Search approved (open) image sources and collect suitable options.
5. Check image quality: Choose an image with enough resolution to remain clear when placed in the cover template.
6. Check the license and permissions: Confirm that the image may be used and modified for the book cover. Follow the department’s copyright and licensing practices.
7. Record the source information: Save the image URL, creator name, license, and any required attribution information.
8. Select the final image: Choose the strongest image based on relevance, quality, readability, licensing, and how well it fits the cover layout.
9. Download the image: Save the highest suitable resolution available in the project folder.

Step 2: Open and Prepare the PSD Template

1. Open Adobe Photoshop: Start Adobe Photoshop on the computer.
2. Open the PSD template: In Photoshop, select File, then Open, and choose the approved book cover PSD template.
3. Save a working copy: Use Save As to create a new PSD file for the book. Do not overwrite the original master template.
4. Use a clear filename: Name the working file using the book title or the department’s approved file-naming convention.
5. Review the layers: In Photoshop, select Window, then Layers to open the Layers panel. Identify the image layer, book title layer, author layer, subtitle layer, logos, and other editable elements.
6. Keep the document settings: Do not change the canvas size, resolution, colour settings, guides, or template structure unless instructed by the project team.

Step 3: Add the Selected Image

1. Place the image: In Photoshop, use File, then Place Embedded , and select the downloaded image.
2. Position the image layer: Move the image into the correct location in the Layers panel if required.
3. Resize the image: Resize the image proportionally so that it fills the required image area.
4. Reposition the image: Move the image until the main subject and important details are displayed appropriately.
5. Avoid distortion: Do not stretch the image in a way that changes its natural proportions.
6. Check image quality: View the cover at an appropriate zoom level and confirm that the image does not appear blurry or pixelated.

Step 4: Update the Book Information

1. Change the book title: Select the Text Title layer and replace the existing text with the final approved book title.
2. Add or update the subtitle: If the book has a subtitle, enter it in the correct text layer.
3. Change the author name: Select the Author Names layer and enter the author name or names exactly as provided.
4. Update other required text: Replace any edition information or other placeholder text included in the template.
5. Check spelling and capitalization: Compare all text with the approved book information.
6. Check text placement: Make sure the title, subtitle, author information, and logos fit within the template and are not cut off.
7. Keep the template style: Use the existing fonts, sizes, colours, alignment, and layout unless a different design has been approved.

Step 5: Review and Save the Editable Cover

1. Review the full cover: Check the image, title, subtitle, author information, logos, spacing, and alignment.
2. Check readability: Confirm that all text is easy to read and has enough contrast against the image or background.
3. Check for template content: Make sure no sample title, placeholder author name, instructions, or unused template element remains visible.
4. Proofread the text: Check the spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and order of author names.
5. Save the PSD file: Select File, then Save. Keep the PSD because it is the editable source file for future revisions.

Step 6: Export the Cover as a JPG

1. Start the export: In Photoshop, use Export As, Save a Copy, or the JPG export method approved by your team.
2. Choose JPG: Select JPG or JPEG as the file format.
3. Confirm the export settings: Use a high-quality setting and keep the required dimensions. Do not resize the cover unless instructed.
4. Choose the correct colour setting: Use the colour profile or export setting required by the department. For web use, sRGB is commonly used unless your team specifies otherwise.
5. Name the file clearly: Use the book title or the approved naming convention and include the .jpg extension.
6. Save the JPG: Save the exported cover in the project folder.
7. Inspect the exported file: Open the JPG and confirm that the image is clear, the text is readable, and no element is missing or cut off.

Step 7: Add the Cover to Pressbooks

1. Open the Pressbooks book: Sign in to Pressbooks and open the correct book dashboard.
2. Open the cover settings: Go to the Book Info.
3. Locate the book cover field: Select Choose File to upload the book cover.
4. Upload the JPG: Select the exported JPG file from the project folder and upload it.
5. Select or apply the image: Select Save to use the uploaded file as the Cover Image.
7. Preview the book: Open the book’s web or reader view and confirm that the correct cover appears.
8. Check other formats if required: If the book will be exported as PDF or EPUB, generate or preview those formats and confirm that the cover displays correctly.