Built for independent authors
Design Professional Amazon KDP Paperback Covers
Design complete paperback covers with automatic spine calculation, production-safe guides, and export-ready PDFs built specifically for Amazon KDP.
Start free with your own artwork. No Photoshop required.
A missing ship. A weathered journal. One last chance to uncover what the harbor has kept hidden.
From specifications to finished file
A complete paperback cover, not just a front image
Calculate the full wrap
Use trim size, page count, paper stock, and bleed settings to calculate the canvas and paperback spine width.
Learn more → ▤Compose every panel
Position front-cover artwork, title and author typography, spine text, and back-cover content while production guides remain visible.
Learn more → ↓Export for production
Review your layout and generate a print-ready PDF for your publishing workflow.
Learn more →One focused workspace
Everything You Need to Publish
Move from a cover idea to a print-ready book cover without stitching together design, calculation, and export tools.
Automatic spine width
Calculate the spine from your page count, paper type, and selected trim size.
Paperback templates
Start with supported print sizes and the correct full-wrap proportions.
Hardcover support
Carry your visual direction into a separate hardcover production layout.
Kindle cover export
Create a high-resolution front cover for your digital edition.
AI artwork generation
Explore original cover directions from a written creative brief.
Upload your artwork
Use artwork you own and position it precisely on the canvas.
Drag-and-drop editor
Arrange copy, images, and cover elements directly in your browser.
300 DPI validation
Catch artwork that may be too small for crisp print production.
Barcode safe zone
Keep essential design elements clear of the reserved barcode region.
Safe text area guides
Protect titles and important copy from trim and fold boundaries.
Print-ready PDF
Export one correctly sized file containing the complete paperback wrap.
Typography controls
Set clear hierarchy for title, author, spine, and back-cover copy.
Inside Cover Studio AI
See the publishing workflow before you start
Create Project
Choose format, trim size, page count, paper type, and production settings before the canvas is built.
Cover Editor
Compose the back, spine, and front while production boundaries stay visible.
PDF Preview
Inspect the complete wrap and final dimensions before generating the production file.
AI Artwork
Describe the genre, mood, palette, and composition for an original visual direction.
From book size to bookshelf
A clear five-step path to a finished Amazon KDP paperback cover.
- 1
Choose your book size
Select a paperback trim size, paper type, page count, and bleed setting.
- 2
Design the cover
Add artwork and arrange the front, spine, back, title, author name, and description.
- 3
Review production guides
Check trim, bleed, safe text areas, spine boundaries, image quality, and the barcode zone.
- 4
Export a print-ready PDF
Generate one correctly sized full-wrap PDF for your paperback edition.
- 5
Publish on Amazon KDP
Upload the PDF in your KDP workflow and review it with the platform previewer before publishing.
Paperback cover questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers about KDP paperback requirements, artwork, spine calculations, and production-ready exports.
What paperback sizes are supported?
Cover Studio AI supports common Amazon KDP paperback trim sizes, including 5 × 8, 5.25 × 8, 5.5 × 8.5, 6 × 9, 7 × 10, and 8.5 × 11 inches.
Does this work with Amazon KDP?
Yes. The paperback editor is built around KDP-style trim, bleed, spine, safe-area, and barcode requirements. Always review the exported file in the current KDP previewer before publishing.
Can I upload my own artwork?
Yes. Upload artwork you own or have permission to use, then crop and position it within the full paperback wrap.
Can I generate AI artwork?
Yes. Eligible plans can generate original front-cover artwork from a written creative direction, while the free Draft plan supports your own uploaded artwork.
Can I create hardcover covers too?
Yes. Hardcover projects use their own format-specific geometry and production guides, so you can adapt the concept without reusing an incorrectly sized paperback file.
Do I need Photoshop?
No. The browser-based editor includes layout, artwork, typography, guide, and export tools in one workflow.
How is spine width calculated?
Spine width is calculated from the final page count, paper type, and selected production format. Update the page count whenever the manuscript changes.
Can I export production-ready PDFs?
Yes. Cover Studio AI generates a single full-wrap PDF containing the back cover, spine, and front cover at the calculated production dimensions.
Your book is ready for its cover
Ready to Publish Your Book?
Create your paperback cover for free and export a production-ready PDF designed specifically for Amazon KDP.