Hi guys! I've had a ton of questions lately about how to illustrate your children's book if you don't think you can draw, and can't afford to pay an artist. Here's the answer! I hope this helps! If you do create your book using Canva illustrations I'd love to see - link it in the comments below! Here are the links I mentioned in this video 🙂 📚 Lay out your children's book page in Canva (Explains how to calculate page size, bleed, etc) th-cam.com/video/Xn3dCLDoifo/w-d-xo.html 📚 My Light Shines Bright All Through the Night (The book I laid out using all Canva illustrations) www.amazon.com/Light-Shines-Bright-Through-Night/dp/B0CCZWL8XC 📚 How to Catch a Dream (Boy version of My Light Shines Bright) www.amazon.com/How-Catch-Dream-Joanna-Locke/dp/B0CD13PTZK 🎨 Join my Creativity Club, where we discuss our projects, and motivate each other! 🎨 facebook.com/groups/heatherscreativityclub Have fun creating!! ❤
You are so awesome !!!! This video is helping me so much! I had nightmares last night about my illustrations and how to do them. I was actually going to give up on my dream of writing picture books until I saw this video. I can't Thank You Enough for getting me re-motivated !!!!! You are amazing!
Aww thank you! I am a Photoshop girl through and through, but when people started asking me to make Canva tutorials awhile back, I started using it for that, and I've gotten hooked. I love the collaborative aspect (like how multiple people can go in and edit a document) and it's so nice that I can just search and drop in elements instead of having to go to a stock photo website and search and download. Oh yeah and also when I'm super lazy I can go in edit stuff on my phone while I'm laying in bed 🤣
I always learn something new from you! I would have chosen a few different elements in my book, “Related By Love” if I was using the pro version at the time. So many more options! I’ll use it for the next one! Thanks Heather for all of your tips!
Aww you're welcome! So glad you liked it. You could always make adjustments to Related by Love and upload the new file to your current listing, if you wanted to.
Thanks for this tutorial, Heather. I use Canva for low content books - your tutorial has opened up new ideas. However, printing in color might be costly for newbies on a tight budget.
Hi! I don't think the cost is too bad for a children's book on KDP. I mean you're not going to make a ton of profit but for example my children's book is 28 pages I believe, and I sell it for $12 and get a few bucks profit per book.
Lovely tutorial. i'm so happy I found your channel! However I would warn you about using canva fonts. Not all of them can be used for your commercial creative projects. It's not the same as with the images that you can use them if you create something new with them. Before I'd use any font, I would first google it to see if you can use it for commercial purposes. Just to be on the save side, because I have heard of cases of KDP accounts being suspended for using fonts without buying the commercial licence.
Do you have a source for this info about not all of them having a commercial license? If this did happen, KDP may just need to see proof of the license. I would recommend getting in touch with Canva support about it. I would actually love to see the email from KDP (or error message, etc) about the project that got flagged, because I'd love to make a video about it and I could walk you through what to do in that situation. Here is Canva's info on their licensing: www.canva.com/en_gb/help/licenses-copyright-legal-commercial-use/ "A licence is issued to you when you use content in a design." "Our Free and Pro Content licences cover all of the content we offer - from photos, icons and illustrations, to videos, audio, fonts, and templates."
I have Canva Pro. I am a self-published author and illustrator. When I used canva to format my last book, I used a custom font and was unable to get my book approved. I tried everything to fix the issue, and the only thing that worked was removing the custom font and using a standard one. I still don’t know why it happened.
Great tutorial! I just tried my first attempt at using Canva for illustrations and it's so great (not perfect yet but really amazing how it's coming together). Your tutorial got me started. Thanks so much!
Heather Cash, you are the Bomb Diggity! Thank you so much for this video. Tremendously helpful to me as I am not ready to pay for an illustrator. Like you mentioned in the video, I want to see if my children’s book sells before investing money for an illustrator. I think my stories are great 😅 however a child or parent might think differently.
Ha ha thanks!!!! I even thought of posting the video in Creativity Club and saying "Karen, this one's for you!" I love hearing you guys' projects and pain points because it helps me to know what videos to make! Thank you so much for that! ❤️
I am so glad I came across this video! I've been trying to illustrate a children's book but I've been having trouble finding an affordable artist. Now I can do it myself, and it's fun! Thank you!
You're welcome! I'm so glad I could help 🙂 BUT, just be careful using the word "illustrate". If you say you illustrated the book, that means you actually drew the pictures. You don't want to end up with copyright issues by saying you illustrated it. But other than that... Enjoy and have fun! ☺️
Hi Heather, thanks for the video. Following the use of the free license creatively and uniquely, one in combination with other elements , can I check the copyright part on KDP? Can I say I own the copyright knowing I combined several elements to make the book and book cover?
I recently have started a cartoon channe using canval,should I use d story and illustrations for an ebook and also guide how and where to publish.thank you
Heather, thank you so much for these tutorials! I am already an experienced Canva user, and I’ve wanted to create children’s books for many years now. I am a traditional artist, but I currently don’t have the money, or the means to produce my own work for publications. Like many others I’m hoping to earn the money from Canva creations, so that I can later use my own art. I had been struggling with feeling like this is cheating, and thinking about what others might say about using the Canva elements to illustrate my books, but you have made me feel better about that. I do have a question about what to put on the cover/title page. I know I wouldn’t say “illustrated by” because I didn’t draw them, but would I say “designed by”? Or do I just leave that off completely and only say “written by”? Again, thank you for your informative, and easy to follow videos!
Hi Sarah, thank you for your kind words! I'm so glad my videos helped you! There's definitely nothing wrong with using stock art for your book, as long as you're putting thought and effort and heart into what you create 💕 and you are helping support other artists - the ones who created the stock art! Re: the cover - you're correct that you wouldn't put "illustrated by". You can just do "by", or "story by" or "written by". I probably wouldn't do "designed by" because that might be confusing for the random person that picks your book up at the store or something. They might not understand what that means. Also, just as an FYI, Canva terms says that you are not required to give attribution. I hope that helps!!
Hi! The front and back are one file together. Here's a tutorial: th-cam.com/video/YOsZ8Ha7NcI/w-d-xo.html And this video might also be helpful: th-cam.com/video/V8pRM4evxUk/w-d-xo.html&si=fM105o2CgoOc1gym
Hi! The book I showed in the beginning of this video was actually for a client so I have no idea. But in general I find that I sell my books much better at local shops and local in-person events.
Great video! I have a question, if I use Canva to do my illustrations, can I still take credit for the illustrations on my book? Can I put “Illustrated by: My name”? Although I’ll be using the stock images on Canva?
Hi, great question! No, I definitely would not put "illustrated by" - that implies that you drew the illustrations yourself. I would just say "written by" or "story by" and just not mention an Illustrator.
Such a great point you make in that reply, Heather--and in addition to this awesome video tutorial! Thanks! Blown away by your simple helps, tips, insights, guidance, and answers. I see that books you've published carry either the "Words & Art by," "Art & Words by," "Art by," or just "By" "Heather Cash." What's the significance for each of those in association with your name on your book covers, e.g., do you use the "By" only when you just write the book, but use Canva images/art for the book's illustrations? My mother's looking to publish her children's book (and because of your videos) is figuring on using Canva as you do, re: illustrations/art, to bring about her book for Kindle/Amazon. Should she just put on the cover "By" and her name? And what about on a copywriter page for such a children's book, does she need to mention in some fashion that the images are from Canva or Canva creatives?
@@ChrisBuonoWrites Hi! For your mother, I would have her put "by" and her name. I use Art & Words or Words & Art when I illustrate my own books. No, you don't need to mention that the images are from Canva. I hope that helps!
@@HeatherCashArt , ace advice! Thanks so much. 🤔With book cover particulars--like how one should bill their name on it--now out of the way, you should really consider doing a vid about the copyright page. Many people may not include one, as you hadn't in your forest mouse's book, but for those who wish to include it in their book--whether for its specific purpose, e.g., (c)year pub'd, publisher name/address, etc., or just as a page to up their page count, if their children's book is too short for a Kindle upload, I think many could learn from your input in that regard. Your choice, of course, Heather. Just my two cents. Keep on writing and teaching!
Hi Heather, thanks for this! Dumb question, I looked into Canva but couldn't find this book layout that you are demonstrating. Is it because I was using the basic free trial or am I missing something?
Hi! I'm not sure I understand what you mean - I created the document from scratch. Do you mean the video that I mention near the beginning, that shows you how to calculate your page size? If so, that is here: th-cam.com/video/Xn3dCLDoifo/w-d-xo.html
Hi, thanks for the video. To start the book in Canva, what exact template do I start with? You said “do u”.. so is there an option to start with a document or should I use an ebook template
Another question...do we need a special license from Canva to use their illustrations? I want to create a kids book in KDP on Amazon so want to make sure it's all legit in both Canva and Amazon side
@@KenTrafton-p2c I explain in the beginning of my video that all of Canva's illustrations come with a commercial license and are ok to use for your children's book 🙂
This is amazing! I can't thank you enough. Can you tell me how to size the cover and the binding match the booklet? If I want to use your consulting and services, but don't want to use KDP, is that possible? I don't want Amazon to set the price (lower it) for my book. May I engage your time, for a fee, to ask questions before I get too far down this path?
Hi! I have a video showing you how to create a cover for your book: th-cam.com/video/YOsZ8Ha7NcI/w-d-xo.html If you go on my website, you can schedule a help session with me :) www.heathercash.art
Thank you Heather. Your input is highly appreciated. I love Canva and have used it to create many posts for my social media page and recently started having with Canva for my children's book illustrations. I am aware and have used many elements for each page of my design so it is definitely original. But when uploading to KDP they ask us if we are the copyright holder? I am seeing some videos, stating although we have a license to use the original artwork for commercial purposes, we are not the copyright holder. Can you clarify this?
Hi, thanks for your question! If you mean the part where it asks, " I own the copyright and I hold necessary publishing rights." - this is not referring to each individual element in the book separately. It is referring to the story and the composition, in other words your book itself is essentially an "artwork". Is the story your own? If you wrote the story, yes. Is the graphic design your own? If you put the images together to make the compositions (or paid someone) then yes it is your own. Under the Artist's Copyright, when you create a work of art, it automatically becomes copyrighted as your own. Your book is a work of art and is covered under the Artist's Copyright. Does that make sense? For the second part, "and hold the necessary publishing rights" - that is where the license from Canva comes in. The separate elements of your design are covered by a commercial license so therefore you do have the rights to use them in your design. Hope that helps!
Thank you for your thorough and speedy reply. It does make sense and that is what I believed to be true, but there seems to be conflicting videos on youtube regarding Canva and KDP. You are an expert in the field, and I was hopeful you would clear up the confusion. It is my story and I used the elements in my unique way for each and every page...so I thank you for helping me release the doubt. Now I am able to move forward with my beautiful children's book! Thanks again for your reply and thank you for helping newbies like myself create and share with the world! Blessings XO@@HeatherCashArt
@@beaconoflightnewyork7979 Yes I know, there are a lot of people out there that misinterpret what they read! I am so glad I could give you some peace of mind ☺️ I would love to see your book once it's finished!
Absolutely...Thank you for your interest. This book expresses what I am most passionate about, the mind body spirit connection. It's called You Are Love and it's meant as a reminder for the little ones - that Love is their true nature and they have all the power they need within themselves. My words have a new life and it's been an exciting creation . @@HeatherCashArt
So helpful. Any recommendations for creating non human characters? Like a personified animal or plant as the main character. This is my current struggle.
Hi! You can search in Canva for face, or eyes, or mouth and add them to any object. You might have trouble finding a plant in different positions, but for example if you're doing a flower, maybe add the leaves on separately so that you can move them around based on the plant's expressions. Does that help at all?
Hi, I appreciate your step by step guide. I've finished my short book and used the free elements. But now that I'm about to prep the cover, I'm so confused about how to 'credit' the illustrations. I've checked the canva site and googled it. It's written by me, but illustrated by 'Whom'??
Hi! You can just leave that part out. Just don't mention an illustrator. It is not required. You can just write "written by" or "story by" with your name.
@@HeatherCashArt Thanks so much for the quick reply. I really appreciate the how-to videos you do; they help me with fulfilling my goal of writing books :)
Amazing video! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. One question- I'm not seeing "magic recommendations" is this only suggested when you have Canva-pro?
It is available for both free and pro. You do have to make sure that after you type your search query, you click on the *type* of result, i.e graphics vs photos vs videos. The magic recommendations won't show up under the "all" tab. Hope that helps!
I know you mentioned this but I just wanted to ask. I also looked at canvas terms but I’m still confused. We are able to use and edit these images provided via canva to publish a book without copyright?
Hi! Yes you are able to use these for your book. I don't know what you mean when you say "without copyright", but basically you have a license to use these in your design, and your design is your own creation so you own the copyright to your design. Does that make sense? I plan to make a video soon going over all of this since I get this question so much!
Hi! Yes you can use a free account and then you are able to use the free images in designs that you create in Canva. (You can't just "obtain" the images, i.e. you aren't allowed to download them as standalone images. You need to create your final design with the images in Canva). For more details on copyright re: Canva, check out this video: th-cam.com/video/YGjLeyTMjRg/w-d-xo.html
Hi! Great question! No, I would just not mention an illustrator. If you say that you illustrated a book, it implies that you actually drew the illustrations. So instead, you can just have an author, and don't mention an illustrator.
I do, but you should still see the pro elements come up, because you can still use pro elements even if it's a free account (you just have to pay for them individually when you export). How did you create the project? Did you do a custom size canvas or did you pick from their predetermined sizes? Sometimes I find that when I pick from their predetermined sizes I get weird results when trying to add elements.
Thank you for the video! Incredible content. Question...If I am designing an Ebook how do I decide what dimensions to use for the cover and the insides of the book? Thanks
Thanks!! For the ebook you don't have to worry about it too much because it will just resize to the size of the device the reader is using. Do you already have a print book that you are now making an ebook out of? If so you can just use the same PDF. If you are ONLY designing for Kindle and not print, I think it's really up to you. If you display everything as spreads you can have your pages square or rectangle, really whatever you want, because when they're put together as a spread they will make a wide spread either way.
If you're just picking out different design elements and placing them, then no that is not AI-generated. AI-generated content would be where you use AI software to generate your image based on what text you give it, like "a fox carrying a basket of leaves" and then it actually generates it from scratch (rather than pulling up search results). Canva does have some features that do things like this, but if you're just searching for elements the way I do in the video, then you are not doing anything related to AI. Hope that helps!
Hi, are we allowed to use the images from canva free and pro on KDP? There is so much of confusion around this and I would appreciate some clarity. Thank you. Love your video ❤ so informative.
Thanks! That was very informative. Do you still copyright your work? Since it’s not ok to say you illustrated the book can you not put illustrator or can you say designed on canvas? If it says designed in canvas instead of illustrated in canvas will it be ok or is it better to not put anything?
@@gwenlopez6774 I would just put "by Gwen Lopez" or "story by Gwen Lopez" and don't write anything about the illustrations. I think "designed by" would just be confusing and I don't think people really need to know that level of detail.
Ok. I was thinking about that. So, I don’t list the illustrator in the book or do I give credit to the artist who did the images? Do you have to list an illustrator in a book? What did you do on the book that you did on canva?
@@gwenlopez6774 No you don't have to list the illustrator. I would just leave it out. Here's an example of a book created in Canva, and it just says "by Karen Copeland" www.amazon.com/Adventures-Titan-Little-Dogs-World/dp/B0CKVP798R
You must be careful when using AI. Canva's terms state, "You may use your Output for any legal purpose, provided that you comply with these terms and that you accept that any such use is at your own risk. When using Output in your Canva designs, we ask that you let viewers of your designs know that the content is AI-generated." Also, please see my video regarding AI-generated content: th-cam.com/video/D-ZHkfbFCXw/w-d-xo.html
You shouldn't, because you don't know whether it is ok to use or not. You can try searching for license free images and find images that way. There are a lot of great websites like unsplash for example. But I definitely wouldn't just grab any image from Google images, because most likely it is not free to use.
If I make my book in Canva, does Canva HAVE to print it? I want to make a book. In high resolution. Then, download it to my computer and print it anywhere that I want. I tried Blurb and they don't allow me to have a high res copy of the book. THEY have to print it and they are too expensive. So, my question is can I design my book in Canva and then own/keep it and take it to a local printshop and print it. Thanks for your time and energy!
Hi! Yes you absolutely can! Canva allows you to export your designs in many different formats - jpg, PNG, etc - and for designs that you want to print you can export them as PDF Print, which will be 300 DPI and perfect for printing 🙂
When you use the illustrations in canva, do you have to put the name of the illustrator on your book or could i just put by Me, myself, my name, as author and illustrator
Great question! You don't need to include the illustrator if you use Canva illustrations - the license that Canva provides for using the images doesn't require attribution. (If you wanted to you could but you will likely end up using illustrations from many different illustrators and it will get complex.) You shouldn't put your own name as the illustrator though because that would mean that you illustrated the book, i.e. drew the illustrations yourself. So, I would just not mention an illustrator. Just leave that part out. Hope that helps!
@@L_K_Rising you could either use all free elements, or if you want a bigger selection then Canva pro is $15/month. You could even sign up for just a month of Canva pro and then after you finish your book cancel it.
Hi! It is SUPER important to flatten your PDF because it makes it so that it does not have actual text with fonts in the PDF and separate elements as separate layers - instead, each page is basically just like an image. This ensures that your pages show up correctly in KDP and also helps prevent the ambiguous "error processing interior" after upload.
Hi i am looking for a way to make 1 book for my baby, not for sale, just one book with a story, for my baby. Does anyone know where i can do that? somewhere i can use ai to draw pictures and writing and print it out for myself.
I've never printed just a single book before without publishing, but there are a ton of printing services out there that do it. Just Google "hardcover book printing" and you'll see a bunch of them come up. 🙂
Hello, I have written a children's book and have drawn my own illustrations using colored pencils. Where I feel stuck, is in the process of digitalizing and editing the colors in my drawings to make them brighter and more professional looking. Can Canva be used for this too? I'm not very tech savvy. I find using photoshop difficult. Canva seems more user friendly from what I've seen in this video, thanks
Hi! You can do some basic editing like changing the overall color in the whole artwork. You can add saturation to make all the colors brighter, and you can adjust your darks and lights etc. You do this by going to "adjust" and it will come up on the left panel. It does have limitations however. In Photoshop you can adjust specific colors in your drawing, like make all the blue parts look a little greener, or even select a portion of it to edit, really the possibilities are endless. So it really just depends on whether Canva's options are enough or not. I know Photoshop can be intimidating when you first go into it. It has a big learning curve. When I was younger I hated Photoshop because I opened it and was so confused and lost. It wasn't until I took a college class on Photoshop that I really fell in love with it. Now I couldn't live without it ❤️
iPads are so expensive. I got mine off of eBay refurbished. It is a first generation iPad pro and I got it for $250. Still a lot, but much less than a brand new one. Also, that price has probably come down a bit since then too, since it's now even older than when I bought it.
"Ma'am, I want to ask you, for children's book illustration, do we need skills in graphic design, or is there anything else we should learn? Because in this field, the client shares their story, and we have to create illustrations according to it. Please help me understand how to approach illustration in this context. You're a great teacher; I appreciate your guidance."
Hi! I do think graphic design skills are VERY helpful in this field. I have a video with some graphic design tips for children's books that can show you some of the things I think it's good to keep an eye out for when you are designing: th-cam.com/video/e6izf3DKOvQ/w-d-xo.html
If someone puts the time and effort into creating the scenes using Canva illustrations, is that not "putting love and care into it"? Not everyone can afford to hire an illustrator.
Illustrations? Yes I'm aware. I draw all my own for my books 🙂 This video is for those who aren't confident in drawing their own illustrations, and can't afford to hire an illustrator.
Hi guys! I've had a ton of questions lately about how to illustrate your children's book if you don't think you can draw, and can't afford to pay an artist. Here's the answer! I hope this helps! If you do create your book using Canva illustrations I'd love to see - link it in the comments below!
Here are the links I mentioned in this video 🙂
📚 Lay out your children's book page in Canva
(Explains how to calculate page size, bleed, etc)
th-cam.com/video/Xn3dCLDoifo/w-d-xo.html
📚 My Light Shines Bright All Through the Night
(The book I laid out using all Canva illustrations)
www.amazon.com/Light-Shines-Bright-Through-Night/dp/B0CCZWL8XC
📚 How to Catch a Dream
(Boy version of My Light Shines Bright)
www.amazon.com/How-Catch-Dream-Joanna-Locke/dp/B0CD13PTZK
🎨 Join my Creativity Club, where we discuss our projects, and motivate each other! 🎨
facebook.com/groups/heatherscreativityclub
Have fun creating!! ❤
Thank you, so helpful!!
Heather, this tutorial gave me the step by step to create my first ebook. I’m so happy I found your page Thank you!😊
Yay!! I'm so glad that you like my videos! Thanks also for joining my creativity club! Can't wait to see your ebook!
I am wondering if as an author do I need to give credit to “canva” anywhere in the credits? Like I would credit an illustrator?
You are so awesome !!!! This video is helping me so much! I had nightmares last night about my illustrations and how to do them. I was actually going to give up on my dream of writing picture books until I saw this video. I can't Thank You Enough for getting me re-motivated !!!!! You are amazing!
Yay I'm so glad!!! Check out the video I JUST published like 5 minutes ago! If you like this one then you'll like the new one too!! ❤️
I am not a fan of Canva but you may have just changed my mind. Lol. This was so easy to follow. You explained everything well. Thank you!
Aww thank you! I am a Photoshop girl through and through, but when people started asking me to make Canva tutorials awhile back, I started using it for that, and I've gotten hooked. I love the collaborative aspect (like how multiple people can go in and edit a document) and it's so nice that I can just search and drop in elements instead of having to go to a stock photo website and search and download. Oh yeah and also when I'm super lazy I can go in edit stuff on my phone while I'm laying in bed 🤣
Thanks for sharing your expertise on this channel -- much appreciated! Some really good stuff here!!!
You're so very welcome!
Thank you so much!!! I love how simple you explain step by step how to use Canva. I've learned a lot. Thanks again!!!
Aw! You're so welcome! Thank you for your kind words!!
This was SUPER helpful and I'm glad I came across this!
Yay!! Thank you!!
I always learn something new from you! I would have chosen a few different elements in my book, “Related By Love” if I was using the pro version at the time. So many more options! I’ll use it for the next one! Thanks Heather for all of your tips!
Aww you're welcome! So glad you liked it. You could always make adjustments to Related by Love and upload the new file to your current listing, if you wanted to.
Thanks for this tutorial, Heather. I use Canva for low content books - your tutorial has opened up new ideas. However, printing in color might be costly for newbies on a tight budget.
Hi! I don't think the cost is too bad for a children's book on KDP. I mean you're not going to make a ton of profit but for example my children's book is 28 pages I believe, and I sell it for $12 and get a few bucks profit per book.
Thank you for doing this video. It’s extremely helpful!
You're so welcome!
Lovely tutorial. i'm so happy I found your channel! However I would warn you about using canva fonts. Not all of them can be used for your commercial creative projects. It's not the same as with the images that you can use them if you create something new with them. Before I'd use any font, I would first google it to see if you can use it for commercial purposes. Just to be on the save side, because I have heard of cases of KDP accounts being suspended for using fonts without buying the commercial licence.
Do you have a source for this info about not all of them having a commercial license? If this did happen, KDP may just need to see proof of the license. I would recommend getting in touch with Canva support about it. I would actually love to see the email from KDP (or error message, etc) about the project that got flagged, because I'd love to make a video about it and I could walk you through what to do in that situation.
Here is Canva's info on their licensing:
www.canva.com/en_gb/help/licenses-copyright-legal-commercial-use/
"A licence is issued to you when you use content in a design."
"Our Free and Pro Content licences cover all of the content we offer - from photos, icons and illustrations, to videos, audio, fonts, and templates."
I have Canva Pro. I am a self-published author and illustrator. When I used canva to format my last book, I used a custom font and was unable to get my book approved. I tried everything to fix the issue, and the only thing that worked was removing the custom font and using a standard one. I still don’t know why it happened.
I've just discovered your channel through this video. Thank you so much for sharing! Best of luck in your work!
Aw thank you so much!!
Great tutorial! I just tried my first attempt at using Canva for illustrations and it's so great (not perfect yet but really amazing how it's coming together). Your tutorial got me started. Thanks so much!
That's awesome!! I'd love to see your book when it's finished!
Heather Cash, you are the Bomb Diggity! Thank you so much for this video. Tremendously helpful to me as I am not ready to pay for an illustrator. Like you mentioned in the video, I want to see if my children’s book sells before investing money for an illustrator. I think my stories are great 😅 however a child or parent might think differently.
Ha ha thanks!!!! I even thought of posting the video in Creativity Club and saying "Karen, this one's for you!" I love hearing you guys' projects and pain points because it helps me to know what videos to make! Thank you so much for that! ❤️
Charming video tutorial!!💐💐
Gratitude my friend.
Gratitude 🙏
I am so glad I came across this video! I've been trying to illustrate a children's book but I've been having trouble finding an affordable artist. Now I can do it myself, and it's fun! Thank you!
You're welcome! I'm so glad I could help 🙂 BUT, just be careful using the word "illustrate". If you say you illustrated the book, that means you actually drew the pictures. You don't want to end up with copyright issues by saying you illustrated it. But other than that... Enjoy and have fun! ☺️
Thank you so much! That was very helpful, I usually do my own illustrations, but this is great for future books.
That's awesome if you do your own!! 💕
If I were to draw my illustrations… as a newbie who’s never published a book. Is it too difficult to transfer to digital ?
Your illustrations are very helpful!
This was super detailed and helpful to watch ❤..thank you!!😊
You're so welcome - thank you for the kind words! 🥰
Hi Heather, thanks for the video. Following the use of the free license creatively and uniquely, one in combination with other elements , can I check the copyright part on KDP? Can I say I own the copyright knowing I combined several elements to make the book and book cover?
Short answer: yes
Long answer: th-cam.com/video/YGjLeyTMjRg/w-d-xo.html
🙂
Great informative video and inspiring
Thank you! So glad you liked it!
This is very helpful. Thanks.
You're welcome!
Great video!
Thank you I'm so glad you liked it!
Great job
Thank you for this ! Big help,
You're very welcome!
I recently have started a cartoon channe using canval,should I use d story and illustrations for an ebook and also guide how and where to publish.thank you
Thank you for the video. My dream will come true. Question- what should I write in a book who is the illustrator? Thank you
Hi! You can just leave the illustrator part out.
I love your video!! I created two books already!! I just wanted to know if I have to credit the illustrator on my book
Yay I'm so glad! No, you don't need to include the illustrator. You can just leave that off.
Thank you so much for the information!
You're so welcome!
Heather, thank you so much for these tutorials! I am already an experienced Canva user, and I’ve wanted to create children’s books for many years now. I am a traditional artist, but I currently don’t have the money, or the means to produce my own work for publications. Like many others I’m hoping to earn the money from Canva creations, so that I can later use my own art. I had been struggling with feeling like this is cheating, and thinking about what others might say about using the Canva elements to illustrate my books, but you have made me feel better about that. I do have a question about what to put on the cover/title page. I know I wouldn’t say “illustrated by” because I didn’t draw them, but would I say “designed by”? Or do I just leave that off completely and only say “written by”?
Again, thank you for your informative, and easy to follow videos!
Hi Sarah, thank you for your kind words! I'm so glad my videos helped you! There's definitely nothing wrong with using stock art for your book, as long as you're putting thought and effort and heart into what you create 💕 and you are helping support other artists - the ones who created the stock art!
Re: the cover - you're correct that you wouldn't put "illustrated by". You can just do "by", or "story by" or "written by". I probably wouldn't do "designed by" because that might be confusing for the random person that picks your book up at the store or something. They might not understand what that means. Also, just as an FYI, Canva terms says that you are not required to give attribution.
I hope that helps!!
@@HeatherCashArt Thank you for answering my question, that it is huge help! Take care!
Thank you very much for providing this video!
You're so welcome!
Hello. As I understand cover is done separate for Amazon KDP. What about the back of the book? Is that consider a cover?
Hi! The front and back are one file together. Here's a tutorial:
th-cam.com/video/YOsZ8Ha7NcI/w-d-xo.html
And this video might also be helpful:
th-cam.com/video/V8pRM4evxUk/w-d-xo.html&si=fM105o2CgoOc1gym
@@HeatherCashArt thank you!!
Great tutorial
Thank you!!
Thanks for this tutorial ! Can I upload my own illustrations to make a maquette to have an idea the way my book would look?
You mean like a mockup? Canva does have some mockup templates for you to use.
very useful video thanks! How many sales of this book have you made on Amazon so far?
Hi! The book I showed in the beginning of this video was actually for a client so I have no idea. But in general I find that I sell my books much better at local shops and local in-person events.
Great video! I have a question, if I use Canva to do my illustrations, can I still take credit for the illustrations on my book? Can I put “Illustrated by: My name”? Although I’ll be using the stock images on Canva?
Hi, great question! No, I definitely would not put "illustrated by" - that implies that you drew the illustrations yourself. I would just say "written by" or "story by" and just not mention an Illustrator.
I understand! Thank you so much for your response! ☺️
Such a great point you make in that reply, Heather--and in addition to this awesome video tutorial! Thanks! Blown away by your simple helps, tips, insights, guidance, and answers. I see that books you've published carry either the "Words & Art by," "Art & Words by," "Art by," or just "By" "Heather Cash." What's the significance for each of those in association with your name on your book covers, e.g., do you use the "By" only when you just write the book, but use Canva images/art for the book's illustrations? My mother's looking to publish her children's book (and because of your videos) is figuring on using Canva as you do, re: illustrations/art, to bring about her book for Kindle/Amazon. Should she just put on the cover "By" and her name? And what about on a copywriter page for such a children's book, does she need to mention in some fashion that the images are from Canva or Canva creatives?
@@ChrisBuonoWrites Hi! For your mother, I would have her put "by" and her name. I use Art & Words or Words & Art when I illustrate my own books. No, you don't need to mention that the images are from Canva. I hope that helps!
@@HeatherCashArt , ace advice! Thanks so much. 🤔With book cover particulars--like how one should bill their name on it--now out of the way, you should really consider doing a vid about the copyright page. Many people may not include one, as you hadn't in your forest mouse's book, but for those who wish to include it in their book--whether for its specific purpose, e.g., (c)year pub'd, publisher name/address, etc., or just as a page to up their page count, if their children's book is too short for a Kindle upload, I think many could learn from your input in that regard. Your choice, of course, Heather. Just my two cents. Keep on writing and teaching!
Hi Heather, thanks for this! Dumb question, I looked into Canva but couldn't find this book layout that you are demonstrating. Is it because I was using the basic free trial or am I missing something?
Hi! I'm not sure I understand what you mean - I created the document from scratch. Do you mean the video that I mention near the beginning, that shows you how to calculate your page size? If so, that is here:
th-cam.com/video/Xn3dCLDoifo/w-d-xo.html
Hello! I do have a question. In this case, if you print the book, what do you write on the cover: Designed by...? Thank you!
Hi! I would put just your name underneath, or "by Your Name" 🙂
Hi, thanks for the video. To start the book in Canva, what exact template do I start with? You said “do u”.. so is there an option to start with a document or should I use an ebook template
Hi! Don't use a template! Create using a custom size. Here is a video to walk you through it 🙂
th-cam.com/video/Xn3dCLDoifo/w-d-xo.html
Thanks so much super helpful I can't afford an illustrator so this is perfect!
Yay!
Another question...do we need a special license from Canva to use their illustrations? I want to create a kids book in KDP on Amazon so want to make sure it's all legit in both Canva and Amazon side
@@KenTrafton-p2c I explain in the beginning of my video that all of Canva's illustrations come with a commercial license and are ok to use for your children's book 🙂
This is amazing! I can't thank you enough. Can you tell me how to size the cover and the binding match the booklet? If I want to use your consulting and services, but don't want to use KDP, is that possible? I don't want Amazon to set the price (lower it) for my book. May I engage your time, for a fee, to ask questions before I get too far down this path?
Hi! I have a video showing you how to create a cover for your book:
th-cam.com/video/YOsZ8Ha7NcI/w-d-xo.html
If you go on my website, you can schedule a help session with me :)
www.heathercash.art
Thank you Heather. Your input is highly appreciated. I love Canva and have used it to create many posts for my social media page and recently started having with Canva for my children's book illustrations. I am aware and have used many elements for each page of my design so it is definitely original. But when uploading to KDP they ask us if we are the copyright holder? I am seeing some videos, stating although we have a license to use the original artwork for commercial purposes, we are not the copyright holder. Can you clarify this?
Hi, thanks for your question! If you mean the part where it asks, " I own the copyright and I hold necessary publishing rights." - this is not referring to each individual element in the book separately. It is referring to the story and the composition, in other words your book itself is essentially an "artwork". Is the story your own? If you wrote the story, yes. Is the graphic design your own? If you put the images together to make the compositions (or paid someone) then yes it is your own.
Under the Artist's Copyright, when you create a work of art, it automatically becomes copyrighted as your own. Your book is a work of art and is covered under the Artist's Copyright.
Does that make sense?
For the second part, "and hold the necessary publishing rights" - that is where the license from Canva comes in. The separate elements of your design are covered by a commercial license so therefore you do have the rights to use them in your design.
Hope that helps!
Thank you for your thorough and speedy reply. It does make sense and that is what I believed to be true, but there seems to be conflicting videos on youtube regarding Canva and KDP. You are an expert in the field, and I was hopeful you would clear up the confusion. It is my story and I used the elements in my unique way for each and every page...so I thank you for helping me release the doubt. Now I am able to move forward with my beautiful children's book! Thanks again for your reply and thank you for helping newbies like myself create and share with the world! Blessings XO@@HeatherCashArt
@@beaconoflightnewyork7979 Yes I know, there are a lot of people out there that misinterpret what they read! I am so glad I could give you some peace of mind ☺️ I would love to see your book once it's finished!
Absolutely...Thank you for your interest. This book expresses what I am most passionate about, the mind body spirit connection. It's called You Are Love and it's meant as a reminder for the little ones - that Love is their true nature and they have all the power they need within themselves. My words have a new life and it's been an exciting creation . @@HeatherCashArt
@@beaconoflightnewyork7979 that sounds amazing ☺️
Very helpful video. Thank you.
You're welcome! Glad you liked it!
So helpful. Any recommendations for creating non human characters? Like a personified animal or plant as the main character. This is my current struggle.
Hi! You can search in Canva for face, or eyes, or mouth and add them to any object. You might have trouble finding a plant in different positions, but for example if you're doing a flower, maybe add the leaves on separately so that you can move them around based on the plant's expressions. Does that help at all?
I understand for some fonts you have to be careful they are allowed to be used for something that is marketed.
If the fonts are in Canva then you're fine - check out this video that I made re: copyright & Canva elements:
th-cam.com/video/YGjLeyTMjRg/w-d-xo.html
Hi, I appreciate your step by step guide. I've finished my short book and used the free elements. But now that I'm about to prep the cover, I'm so confused about how to 'credit' the illustrations. I've checked the canva site and googled it.
It's written by me, but illustrated by 'Whom'??
Hi! You can just leave that part out. Just don't mention an illustrator. It is not required. You can just write "written by" or "story by" with your name.
@@HeatherCashArt Thanks so much for the quick reply. I really appreciate the how-to videos you do; they help me with fulfilling my goal of writing books :)
Amazing video! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. One question- I'm not seeing "magic recommendations" is this only suggested when you have Canva-pro?
It is available for both free and pro. You do have to make sure that after you type your search query, you click on the *type* of result, i.e graphics vs photos vs videos. The magic recommendations won't show up under the "all" tab.
Hope that helps!
@@HeatherCashArt thanks so much for your response!
Ma'am I am writing story it helped lot. But how I to publish my book
These videos walk you through the process!
CANVA - Children's Book for Amazon KDP: th-cam.com/play/PLfwRTvxmUwGyGN_hvhs6ghn7zssVvy9UT.html
Maybe I missed it in your video, but i tried uploading my kids book and it says it needs to be a minimum of 72 pages. Yours only has 24. any advice?
Yep! Here you go 🙂
th-cam.com/users/shortshmp59Z61UVs?feature=share
You could have just duplicated the same first girl. You did a good job wow
What did you mean about duplicating the first girl?
Do you do a video where you create the cover?
Yep, here you go :)
th-cam.com/video/YOsZ8Ha7NcI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=-Wz1iU4b0BR0cRxT
Thank you so much for this video
You're so welcome!
I know you mentioned this but I just wanted to ask. I also looked at canvas terms but I’m still confused. We are able to use and edit these images provided via canva to publish a book without copyright?
Hi! Yes you are able to use these for your book. I don't know what you mean when you say "without copyright", but basically you have a license to use these in your design, and your design is your own creation so you own the copyright to your design. Does that make sense?
I plan to make a video soon going over all of this since I get this question so much!
Can you use the free account to obtain images and are they copyright free?
Hi! Yes you can use a free account and then you are able to use the free images in designs that you create in Canva. (You can't just "obtain" the images, i.e. you aren't allowed to download them as standalone images. You need to create your final design with the images in Canva).
For more details on copyright re: Canva, check out this video:
th-cam.com/video/YGjLeyTMjRg/w-d-xo.html
thanks for the video.. ı want to know: if ı write a book and sale it. do ı have to pay permision to canva?
Here's your answer 🙂
th-cam.com/video/YGjLeyTMjRg/w-d-xo.html
Awesome info! So if the book is written with Canva illustrations- would you say illustrated by the author as well?
Hi! Great question! No, I would just not mention an illustrator. If you say that you illustrated a book, it implies that you actually drew the illustrations. So instead, you can just have an author, and don't mention an illustrator.
@@HeatherCashArt Thank you so much!
Do you have canva pro? I am not getting the same results when I search my canva (currently only have the free version)
I do, but you should still see the pro elements come up, because you can still use pro elements even if it's a free account (you just have to pay for them individually when you export).
How did you create the project? Did you do a custom size canvas or did you pick from their predetermined sizes? Sometimes I find that when I pick from their predetermined sizes I get weird results when trying to add elements.
Thank you for the video! Incredible content. Question...If I am designing an Ebook how do I decide what dimensions to use for the cover and the insides of the book? Thanks
Thanks!! For the ebook you don't have to worry about it too much because it will just resize to the size of the device the reader is using. Do you already have a print book that you are now making an ebook out of? If so you can just use the same PDF. If you are ONLY designing for Kindle and not print, I think it's really up to you. If you display everything as spreads you can have your pages square or rectangle, really whatever you want, because when they're put together as a spread they will make a wide spread either way.
Oh also, check out my video where I show you how to use Kindle Kids Book Creator to create your ebook
Hello, thank you so much for video!! I followed your link to Amazon but is says your book is not available?
Hmm, it worked for me, but I'm in the US - are you in Australia? If so I wonder if that's why? I might need to check the publish settings.
Hello, yes I am in Australia. Maybe that's why. Thank you so much for you videos, you explain things SO well ❤
@@aussiefarm aww, you're so welcome!!! ❤️
is this just in canva Doc? I don't see how to add pages. i don't have that grid thingy.
It's in Canva and on a computer... Are you maybe on a phone or tablet?
When making a book like this, would it be considered AI-generated in KDP? I edited an image in canva for my book cover and not sure what to put. Thx!
If you're just picking out different design elements and placing them, then no that is not AI-generated. AI-generated content would be where you use AI software to generate your image based on what text you give it, like "a fox carrying a basket of leaves" and then it actually generates it from scratch (rather than pulling up search results).
Canva does have some features that do things like this, but if you're just searching for elements the way I do in the video, then you are not doing anything related to AI.
Hope that helps!
@@HeatherCashArt awesome I get it! Thank you!
You are great!
Aw thank you!!
Hi, are we allowed to use the images from canva free and pro on KDP? There is so much of confusion around this and I would appreciate some clarity. Thank you. Love your video ❤ so informative.
Hi! Yes I go over that at 1:02 in the video 🙂
@@HeatherCashArt Thank you ❤️
Hi. Are you sure all of the art and fonts can be used for commercial purposes?
Hi! Please watch this video where I answer that question in detail 🙂
th-cam.com/video/YGjLeyTMjRg/w-d-xo.html
Thanks! That was very informative. Do you still copyright your work? Since it’s not ok to say you illustrated the book can you not put illustrator or can you say designed on canvas? If it says designed in canvas instead of illustrated in canvas will it be ok or is it better to not put anything?
@@gwenlopez6774 I would just put "by Gwen Lopez" or "story by Gwen Lopez" and don't write anything about the illustrations. I think "designed by" would just be confusing and I don't think people really need to know that level of detail.
If you illustrate it in canva using pre made illustrations and editing, can you still list yourself as the illustrator on the book?
Hi! No you shouldn't list yourself as the illustrator, because that would imply that you drew the illustrations yourself.
Ok. I was thinking about that. So, I don’t list the illustrator in the book or do I give credit to the artist who did the images? Do you have to list an illustrator in a book? What did you do on the book that you did on canva?
@@gwenlopez6774 No you don't have to list the illustrator. I would just leave it out. Here's an example of a book created in Canva, and it just says "by Karen Copeland"
www.amazon.com/Adventures-Titan-Little-Dogs-World/dp/B0CKVP798R
Does the licensing also include the magic tools, such as the AI image generator?
You must be careful when using AI. Canva's terms state, "You may use your Output for any legal purpose, provided that you comply with these terms and that you accept that any such use is at your own risk.
When using Output in your Canva designs, we ask that you let viewers of your designs know that the content is AI-generated."
Also, please see my video regarding AI-generated content:
th-cam.com/video/D-ZHkfbFCXw/w-d-xo.html
Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!
You're so welcome!!
can we add image from Google images to canva pages ?
You shouldn't, because you don't know whether it is ok to use or not. You can try searching for license free images and find images that way. There are a lot of great websites like unsplash for example. But I definitely wouldn't just grab any image from Google images, because most likely it is not free to use.
If I make my book in Canva, does Canva HAVE to print it? I want to make a book. In high resolution. Then, download it to my computer and print it anywhere that I want. I tried Blurb and they don't allow me to have a high res copy of the book. THEY have to print it and they are too expensive. So, my question is can I design my book in Canva and then own/keep it and take it to a local printshop and print it. Thanks for your time and energy!
Hi! Yes you absolutely can! Canva allows you to export your designs in many different formats - jpg, PNG, etc - and for designs that you want to print you can export them as PDF Print, which will be 300 DPI and perfect for printing 🙂
When you use the illustrations in canva, do you have to put the name of the illustrator on your book or could i just put by Me, myself, my name, as author and illustrator
Great question! You don't need to include the illustrator if you use Canva illustrations - the license that Canva provides for using the images doesn't require attribution. (If you wanted to you could but you will likely end up using illustrations from many different illustrators and it will get complex.) You shouldn't put your own name as the illustrator though because that would mean that you illustrated the book, i.e. drew the illustrations yourself. So, I would just not mention an illustrator. Just leave that part out. Hope that helps!
Thank you yes it did, I love your videos, you helped me figure out procreate and canva. Those are the two I'm using
@@stellathomas8265 that's a great combo!
For canva licenses expense , estimated budget, how much you pay for using canva elements in this book ?
@@L_K_Rising you could either use all free elements, or if you want a bigger selection then Canva pro is $15/month. You could even sign up for just a month of Canva pro and then after you finish your book cancel it.
Very Nice and useful Video💗💗 one question please, what is the important of choosing a Flatten PDF?
Hi! It is SUPER important to flatten your PDF because it makes it so that it does not have actual text with fonts in the PDF and separate elements as separate layers - instead, each page is basically just like an image. This ensures that your pages show up correctly in KDP and also helps prevent the ambiguous "error processing interior" after upload.
@@HeatherCashArt Thank a lot 😍😍♥️♥️
@@MyHarmony0_0 you're so welcome!!
Hi i am looking for a way to make 1 book for my baby, not for sale, just one book with a story, for my baby. Does anyone know where i can do that? somewhere i can use ai to draw pictures and writing and print it out for myself.
I've never printed just a single book before without publishing, but there are a ton of printing services out there that do it. Just Google "hardcover book printing" and you'll see a bunch of them come up. 🙂
I was told that Amazon wouldn’t let you use the pictures. Is this true?
Short answer: you are allowed to use them. Long answer:
th-cam.com/video/YGjLeyTMjRg/w-d-xo.html
Hello, I have written a children's book and have drawn my own illustrations using colored pencils. Where I feel stuck, is in the process of digitalizing and editing the colors in my drawings to make them brighter and more professional looking. Can Canva be used for this too? I'm not very tech savvy. I find using photoshop difficult. Canva seems more user friendly from what I've seen in this video, thanks
Hi! You can do some basic editing like changing the overall color in the whole artwork. You can add saturation to make all the colors brighter, and you can adjust your darks and lights etc. You do this by going to "adjust" and it will come up on the left panel.
It does have limitations however. In Photoshop you can adjust specific colors in your drawing, like make all the blue parts look a little greener, or even select a portion of it to edit, really the possibilities are endless. So it really just depends on whether Canva's options are enough or not.
I know Photoshop can be intimidating when you first go into it. It has a big learning curve. When I was younger I hated Photoshop because I opened it and was so confused and lost. It wasn't until I took a college class on Photoshop that I really fell in love with it. Now I couldn't live without it ❤️
Can I copyright a book illustrated on canva?
Here's your answer 🙂
th-cam.com/video/YGjLeyTMjRg/w-d-xo.html
Who do you credit at your books illustrator.
Since you didn't have a single specific illustrator, you can just leave it out.
My daughter is a graphic designer and is making my characters. Should I just say “character illustrations by …”
@@Jackpotstat you could do that! As long as she is actually *drawing* them.
Yes, she is! Thank u for the quick reply
How do you put it on the book as a illustrator if you didnt draw it
You can just leave out the "illustrated by"
@@HeatherCashArt Thank you so much!!!
Thank you❤
Thank you
I don't have the $$ to buy an ipad to draw my illustrations, so I use Canva. I can draw very well and maybe one day I can make illustrations myself.
iPads are so expensive. I got mine off of eBay refurbished. It is a first generation iPad pro and I got it for $250. Still a lot, but much less than a brand new one. Also, that price has probably come down a bit since then too, since it's now even older than when I bought it.
@@HeatherCashArt Thanks a lot. You are very helpfull. I wish you all the best.
What is the layout size or dimension for your panels?🙂
What do you mean, like my book size? This was just an example, you do any size you want like 8x10, 8.5x8.5, etc
It would actually be easier to see what’s available and the write the book based on the illustration.
"Ma'am, I want to ask you, for children's book illustration, do we need skills in graphic design, or is there anything else we should learn? Because in this field, the client shares their story, and we have to create illustrations according to it. Please help me understand how to approach illustration in this context. You're a great teacher; I appreciate your guidance."
Hi! I do think graphic design skills are VERY helpful in this field. I have a video with some graphic design tips for children's books that can show you some of the things I think it's good to keep an eye out for when you are designing:
th-cam.com/video/e6izf3DKOvQ/w-d-xo.html
Are you required to mention where you got all the illustrations from?
No you are not.
If you want to make a picture book, put more love and care into it. Hire an illustrator do make the illustrations.
If someone puts the time and effort into creating the scenes using Canva illustrations, is that not "putting love and care into it"?
Not everyone can afford to hire an illustrator.
hmmm, you can make your own you know.
Illustrations? Yes I'm aware. I draw all my own for my books 🙂 This video is for those who aren't confident in drawing their own illustrations, and can't afford to hire an illustrator.
Arial is good for people with dyslexia. It's disability friendly.
There are a lot of great alternatives to Arial. Try to choose a sans serif font that is easy to read.