The Authors Spending Wisely series is designed to help authors manage their publishing budgets and be proactive in putting money where it makes the most sense.
As an Indie Author there is so much to design:
- Covers
- Ads for Multiple Platforms
- Marketing Materials
- Social Media Images
The slip into subscriptions and pay to play situations gets out of control quick.
Check out these must try options!
Did we miss your favorite? Comment your favorite so we can check it out!
Image Editors
A free photo editor and collage maker with an extraordinary array of photo editing tools. Using our web apps, you can quickly improve photos with both basic tools and advanced ones such as filters, effects, frames, overlays, adding text and much more.
Remove the background from your image for free. Easily remove the background from images in Adobe Express, your all-in-one AI content creation app. Continue editing your image in Adobe Express to quickly change the background, add graphics, and more.
A free-to-use online graphic design tool. Use it to create social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos and more.
Tip: Canva is a great free tool, but they push upgrading at every turn. When you use the element search try sticking with single words, this will result in more free options. Be creative with word choices, popular words will have more paid options than free.
Graphic Design Software
Photopea: Advanced Image Editor
Free online editor supporting PSD, AI, PDF, SVG and CDR formats. Create a new image or open existing files from your computer. Save your work as PSD, or as JPG / PNG / SVG.
Affinity: Designer, Photo & Publisher
A free-to-use online graphic design tool. Use it to create social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos and more.
This one time payment software is amazing, and a great way to get rid of the monthly subscription to comparable products. There are great tutorials on Youtube, and a helpful community of Affinity enthusiasts.
Image Websites
When cover designing it is recommended to buy the images from trusted sources to verify the proper rights are in place.
Many sites will say royalty free, or free for commercial use, but they aren’t regulating what people upload to them.
11 Resources for Public Domain Images – These are great to use where ever!
The internet’s source for visuals. Powered by creators everywhere.
Tip: People upload these photos, and allow anyone to use them without crediting the creator. There is no regulation on what is uploaded, so an image of say Disney World isn’t free to be used on a cover.
The best free stock photos, royalty free images & videos shared by creators.
Download Free Vectors, Stock Photos, Stock Videos, and More Professional quality creative resources to get your projects done faster.
293 million files on Depositphotos: royalty-free images, videos, vectors, illustrations, and music. Discover our large thematic collection of stock photography, and explore our stock video and music library to find exactly what you need for your projects. We’re trusted by leading international companies that turn to our library for visual and audio content.
Tip: They have sales on credits often, if you join their mailing list they always announce the sales. This is one of the best priced sites we’ve found.
As the original stock content site created by creatives for creatives, we get you. You need unique images and videos that connect with your audience, at prices that fit your budget. We’ve got all that—and more.
Tip: This is my second favorite site, they have a good amount of graphics to pick from, and as long as you stick with the Essentials, it’s not too bad on price.
Font Websites
Font is another thing recommended to buy, if you’re using it for your brand or covers so you know you have the proper rights to use them on your cover.
Many sites will say royalty free, or free for commercial use, but they aren’t always regulated.
1001 Fonts
About: This site is filled with free to use fonts, they tell if they are free for personal use or commercial use and link to the creator.
Deal Jumbo
About: While this is also an image site, they do great font packages. Being able to pick up 20 fonts at once for a good price can be helpful in design adventures.
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