WOW! You just upped my game with this video. I am not an artist, but I am an IT guy and this just unlocked my understanding on how to use Photoshop. I have struggled with the exact steps you showed here. BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the instructions, I'm using Affinity Publisher/Designer like Adobe. The way you put the book together as a master was wonderful and what a time saver. It takes me way too long to put books together, this is a shortcut I'll be using.
Been using Adobe CC for years as a beginner to intermediate user. I'm no graphic designer but I got by with some limited skills. You've just substantially increased my knowledge on the fine-tuning aspects of the programs. I'm so very grateful for your incredible teaching style...many thanks!
Thank you so much for all your help Craig. I choose you to be my tutor because you are so easily understood by me , who English isnt my mother language. I started following you step by step in this video and as you recommended I used Photopea. I am totally new to all this and every little problem is a milestone for me. At the very beginning, (when setting the page dimensions) at the color mode when I try to pick CMYK color,the only options that appear sRGB, Adobe RGB, Pro Photo RGB, Display P3. I cant find the CMYK option at all! Can you please help me? I am doing exactly as you are showing.
Fantastic video. Thank you for making it look so easy with your clear, easy-to-follow explanations. I'm looking forward to the second video. On another note, I love your logo.
When you create for a living, you need to streamline the process as much as possible. On big projects, you can save hours of turning layers on and off just to figure out what they are, by simply naming them and keeping them in the same order as they're stacked on your art board.
@@CraigBabin My aversion to tidiness is probably why I'm not a professional, lol! I've been tinkering with PS since 2000 (mostly photo-manipulations with endless masks at the time) until I switched to Linux and started using OpenSource Software. I guess I'm more a 'Live to Create' sort of person. Doesn't pay the bills though.
@@Svartr.HrafnSvartr Don't let it get to you. I read somewhere once that Michelangelo never made his bed, and he was an artistic genius! So you're in good company.
@@Svartr.HrafnSvartr Yeah but do you really want to be pigeon holed as someone who paints ceilings for the rest of your life?! I mean once all of the churches are done, what then? Children's bedrooms?! lol
PNG images do not affect the quality of the book when printing ? I work with idiogram Ai and I find it difficult to convert images to vector in Illustrator. My question is, is there a problem if I work with PNG images ? Thank you very much for the explanation.
Not really, the printing presses that KDP uses can pretty much make anything look good. You're not going to be uploading PNG's to KDP, you're going to be converting your book to press quality PDF. I just finished a book that used a mixture of AI as well as hand drawn images and the images used were also a mix of RGB and CMYK. I did my best to balance out the value in the images, but other than the print being a little dark, it all ended up looking pretty cohesive.
Great video but I have a quick question. In Photopea it doesn't have a color mode - it shows a Profile dropdown. I'm new to this so not sure what to do. Thank you!
Yeah, I don't think there's an option to work in CMYK in Photopea. So just use the sRGB setting. Most of your interior files will be black and white anyway, so it really won't make much of a difference.
I’m new to KDP, and am working on a coloring book. Using Canva and I’m wondering if I should extend the coloring pages to the very edges rather than sticking to the templates? I’ve used the template then submitted for publication and KDP returns and states that I need to increase the size?? I’m not sure I understand! I’d be grateful for any assistance!
If your image is too small on the page and it's leaving a lot of blank space around it, then KDP may ask you to increase the size of your image. If you're image is taking up the entire page and goes right to the edge of the page, they may be asking your to add bleed to your page. You can watch my video explaining margins and bleed here: th-cam.com/video/_hMj7PkXRXc/w-d-xo.html
I don't think you can because that would be creating competition for the original art. If you created the artwork yourself, then yes. But not if you're using artwork from Creative Fabrica. Artwork from Creative Fabrica can not be resold digitally in any way, it's right in their terms of use.
Can we duplicate a non-coloring book such as a blank notebook & offer multiple versions of it by having different covers for it? Some people collect these (aka me) 😁
Blank notebook pages are pretty much going to be the same in all notebooks, so yes, you can use the same content with different covers. What you can't do is put the same coloring book images in multiple book interiors with different covers. Amazon will close your KDP account for doing that.
Hi Craig! Thank you for another video. I went on creative fabrica as you said and downloaded my first package of 30 coloring pages (which came in a zip file), that had been listed yesterday! But since this is the first time that I’m making a coloring book and I’m new to the softwares and I have never used them, I was wondering if it would be okay to use the templates unchanged for this book as I downloaded them. Do you think I could be in trouble later for that? As much as I want be good at using these tools, right now I feel that making unique designs for all my 30 pages isn’t really an option for me.
You're definitely taking a risk. If the images are really good and a lot of people start using them, Amazon will start issuing repeat content strikes to those seller's who are using the images. I get where you're coming from, about not having the skills yet. But what you have to remember is that KDP was created for artists (authors, illustrator, photographers, etc), so that they could publish their original content. It was never meant for people who just want to use existing content to try and make a quick buck. Amazon doesn't want that on their platform. Repetition is bad for business. And becoming an author or an illustrator is hard work and it takes time (years) ... and that's why not everybody does it. But if you truly want to make it in self publishing, you're going to have to take the time to learn how to create content yourself (even if it's just modifying existing content) ... using other people's content (as is) will only take you so far. And because it's not your own copy written content, it can be taken away from you at any time. If you're willing to put in the time, the skills will come. If you want to make a living as a creative, you can't be in a rush. There's no finish line for artists, success is in the journey.
@@CraigBabin Thank you for taking the time to write this comment, it has helped me see things clearly. Although I'm not good yet, I want to put in the time and someday publish work that I can say I'm happy with. I thoroughly agree with what you said about success being in the journey. I think you really have to enjoy what you're doing to achieve it.
I wanted to add as a new KDP person very much wanting to follow licensing guidelines, although with creative fabrica (and vecteezy and maybe more) you buy the pro version that allows you to upload the image as is, if you ever stop subscribing to the website, you will need to remove any book that has even ONE image up put up unchanged. So, changing everything - significantly is required - will protect you that you can keep selling your item even when you no longer subscribe to that website.
Hi , Can you please make a video on how to use KDP templates in abobe illustrator for coloring books for amazon? But show the entire process please . Will really be helpful
You don’t need to put anything on the back of your coloring page. I have done many coloring books with nothing on the back. What KDP doesn’t like is consecutive blank pages.
Yeah, a lot of people even put black pages on the back just so the next image doesn't bleed through. I only mention it because when you're competing against professionally made books, they usually have some type of imagery on every page. Doing a color-able font is just an easy way to fill up those blank pages. In the end, the more content you have in your book, the more valuable it will be to your customers. 80 coloring pages will always be better than 40, at the same price.
Creative Fabrica Special Offer:
Unlimited Downloads - 30 Day Trial for $1 : bit.ly/38WGAZV
WOW! You just upped my game with this video. I am not an artist, but I am an IT guy and this just unlocked my understanding on how to use Photoshop. I have struggled with the exact steps you showed here. BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!
I'm glad you found the video useful.
Thanks for the instructions, I'm using Affinity Publisher/Designer like Adobe. The way you put the book together as a master was wonderful and what a time saver. It takes me way too long to put books together, this is a shortcut I'll be using.
I'm glad I could help Linda.
Been using Adobe CC for years as a beginner to intermediate user. I'm no graphic designer but I got by with some limited skills. You've just substantially increased my knowledge on the fine-tuning aspects of the programs. I'm so very grateful for your incredible teaching style...many thanks!
Stick around, I have plenty more Adobe tutorials on the way.
wow, this video was amazing and as an absolute beginner, it made me so so excited to try out Photopea :) can’t wait to see where this journey leads!!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for all your help Craig. I choose you to be my tutor because you are so easily understood by me , who English isnt my mother language. I started following you step by step in this video and as you recommended I used Photopea. I am totally new to all this and every little problem is a milestone for me. At the very beginning, (when setting the page dimensions) at the color mode when I try to pick CMYK color,the only options that appear sRGB, Adobe RGB, Pro Photo RGB, Display P3. I cant find the CMYK option at all! Can you please help me? I am doing exactly as you are showing.
In Photopea, you don't have the option for CMYK, that's one of it's limitations (and why it's free). Just use sRGB or Adobe RGB in this case.
Fantastic video. Thank you for making it look so easy with your clear, easy-to-follow explanations. I'm looking forward to the second video.
On another note, I love your logo.
Thanks. I'm glad you're finding the videos easy to follow.
I'm so envious of your layer management skills!
I'm really messy when I'm creating images...
When you create for a living, you need to streamline the process as much as possible. On big projects, you can save hours of turning layers on and off just to figure out what they are, by simply naming them and keeping them in the same order as they're stacked on your art board.
@@CraigBabin My aversion to tidiness is probably why I'm not a professional, lol! I've been tinkering with PS since 2000 (mostly photo-manipulations with endless masks at the time) until I switched to Linux and started using OpenSource Software. I guess I'm more a 'Live to Create' sort of person. Doesn't pay the bills though.
@@Svartr.HrafnSvartr Don't let it get to you. I read somewhere once that Michelangelo never made his bed, and he was an artistic genius! So you're in good company.
@@CraigBabin Yes. But his messy genius got him some of the biggest art commissions in history! Don't worry, I'm just poking a little fun at myself.
@@Svartr.HrafnSvartr Yeah but do you really want to be pigeon holed as someone who paints ceilings for the rest of your life?! I mean once all of the churches are done, what then? Children's bedrooms?! lol
I just found your channel. I really like your teaching style. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome Jim.
This is exactly what I want to do next!
There are a lot of videos in my playlist "Self Publishing 101" to help you do just that.
PNG images do not affect the quality of the book when printing ? I work with idiogram Ai and I find it difficult to convert images to vector in Illustrator. My question is, is there a problem if I work with PNG images ? Thank you very much for the explanation.
Not really, the printing presses that KDP uses can pretty much make anything look good. You're not going to be uploading PNG's to KDP, you're going to be converting your book to press quality PDF. I just finished a book that used a mixture of AI as well as hand drawn images and the images used were also a mix of RGB and CMYK. I did my best to balance out the value in the images, but other than the print being a little dark, it all ended up looking pretty cohesive.
Great video. Will have to see it a few times and try it. Thank you
You're welcome Rose. I'm glad you liked it.
This is a real master piece of work. You are a legend
Wow, you're easily impressed. lol
@@CraigBabin thanks Craig, can I ask which type of books are selling best, coloring books or other low content like logbooks, journal...etc
@@MohamedRahim Coloring books and any type of activity book sell the best (puzzles, mazes, etc).
Great video but I have a quick question. In Photopea it doesn't have a color mode - it shows a Profile dropdown. I'm new to this so not sure what to do. Thank you!
Yeah, I don't think there's an option to work in CMYK in Photopea. So just use the sRGB setting. Most of your interior files will be black and white anyway, so it really won't make much of a difference.
I’m new to KDP, and am working on a coloring book. Using Canva and I’m wondering if I should extend the coloring pages to the very edges rather than sticking to the templates? I’ve used the template then submitted for publication and KDP returns and states that I need to increase the size?? I’m not sure I understand! I’d be grateful for any assistance!
If your image is too small on the page and it's leaving a lot of blank space around it, then KDP may ask you to increase the size of your image.
If you're image is taking up the entire page and goes right to the edge of the page, they may be asking your to add bleed to your page.
You can watch my video explaining margins and bleed here: th-cam.com/video/_hMj7PkXRXc/w-d-xo.html
@@CraigBabin Thank you Craig!
@@TeeJamma No problem.
Awesome video! Thanks
You're welcome.
can we do that on canva? plz make a video on this
I'm pretty sure you can, but I don't use Canva.
Great video! Thank you!
You're welcome!
Fabuloso! Me has dado un montón de ideas. Gracias Craig!😊
Estoy contento de poder ayudar Liliana.
What a Gold! Thank you so much!!!
You're welcome.
Can I sell my coloring sheets as printables on my website as well as publish them to Amazon KDP?
I don't think you can because that would be creating competition for the original art. If you created the artwork yourself, then yes. But not if you're using artwork from Creative Fabrica. Artwork from Creative Fabrica can not be resold digitally in any way, it's right in their terms of use.
@@CraigBabin Okay thank you.
Can we duplicate a non-coloring book such as a blank notebook & offer multiple versions of it by having different covers for it? Some people collect these (aka me) 😁
Blank notebook pages are pretty much going to be the same in all notebooks, so yes, you can use the same content with different covers.
What you can't do is put the same coloring book images in multiple book interiors with different covers. Amazon will close your KDP account for doing that.
@@CraigBabin thankyou. Love all of your content- I've subscribed! 🙏
@@WordGirlPhotoEdits I'm glad you like it. Thank for subscribing.
Hi Craig! Thank you for another video. I went on creative fabrica as you said and downloaded my first package of 30 coloring pages (which came in a zip file), that had been listed yesterday! But since this is the first time that I’m making a coloring book and I’m new to the softwares and I have never used them, I was wondering if it would be okay to use the templates unchanged for this book as I downloaded them. Do you think I could be in trouble later for that? As much as I want be good at using these tools, right now I feel that making unique designs for all my 30 pages isn’t really an option for me.
You're definitely taking a risk. If the images are really good and a lot of people start using them, Amazon will start issuing repeat content strikes to those seller's who are using the images.
I get where you're coming from, about not having the skills yet. But what you have to remember is that KDP was created for artists (authors, illustrator, photographers, etc), so that they could publish their original content. It was never meant for people who just want to use existing content to try and make a quick buck. Amazon doesn't want that on their platform. Repetition is bad for business.
And becoming an author or an illustrator is hard work and it takes time (years) ... and that's why not everybody does it. But if you truly want to make it in self publishing, you're going to have to take the time to learn how to create content yourself (even if it's just modifying existing content) ... using other people's content (as is) will only take you so far. And because it's not your own copy written content, it can be taken away from you at any time.
If you're willing to put in the time, the skills will come. If you want to make a living as a creative, you can't be in a rush. There's no finish line for artists, success is in the journey.
@@CraigBabin Thank you for taking the time to write this comment, it has helped me see things clearly. Although I'm not good yet, I want to put in the time and someday publish work that I can say I'm happy with. I thoroughly agree with what you said about success being in the journey. I think you really have to enjoy what you're doing to achieve it.
I wanted to add as a new KDP person very much wanting to follow licensing guidelines, although with creative fabrica (and vecteezy and maybe more) you buy the pro version that allows you to upload the image as is, if you ever stop subscribing to the website, you will need to remove any book that has even ONE image up put up unchanged. So, changing everything - significantly is required - will protect you that you can keep selling your item even when you no longer subscribe to that website.
I’m just learning Canva and book bolt I don’t think I have room in my brains to learn adobe
I know the feeling!
Nice
Hi , Can you please make a video on how to use KDP templates in abobe illustrator for coloring books for amazon? But show the entire process please . Will really be helpful
The process for setting up a KDP cover template in Adobe Illustrator can be found in this video: th-cam.com/video/J5IvD_-3KBo/w-d-xo.html
Hahaha..you're absolutely right to say " 5-hour long video" ...funny
You don’t need to put anything on the back of your coloring page. I have done many coloring books with nothing on the back. What KDP doesn’t like is consecutive blank pages.
Yeah, a lot of people even put black pages on the back just so the next image doesn't bleed through. I only mention it because when you're competing against professionally made books, they usually have some type of imagery on every page. Doing a color-able font is just an easy way to fill up those blank pages.
In the end, the more content you have in your book, the more valuable it will be to your customers. 80 coloring pages will always be better than 40, at the same price.