TL;DR
In Covers, select your book, set Layout Mode → Print, and edit BACK COVER, SPINE, and FRONT COVER. Set Cover Size (presets, spine, bleed), optionally Sync Cover from your ebook, add blurb/spine/ISBN tools, then Save Cover. Export Download Print Shop PDF when you need a file; use Publish Cover validation when ordering prints.
Table of contents
- Why print covers differ from ebook covers
- What print cover mode includes
- Step-by-step: build a full wrap
- Tips
- FAQ
- Related help
User summary
A Storyloft print cover is a full wrap—back, spine, and front—sized for your trim, page count, and bleed. Authors searching for Storyloft print cover design or how to sync an ebook cover to print use Layout Mode → Print in Cover Creator. Getting dimensions right before Publish validation prevents cover PDF rejections; syncing from a finished ebook front speeds layout so you can focus on spine foil area, blurbs, and barcodes.
What it does
In Print layout (PrintKonvaCanvas), Storyloft shows three panels you can activate:
- BACK COVER / ✓ BACK COVER
- SPINE / ✓ SPINE
- FRONT COVER / ✓ FRONT COVER
The Cover Size sidebar offers Book Size Presets, Fine Tuning (Width, Height, Spine Width, Bleed), Show Bleed Lines, optional Page Count for spine calculation, and a Layout Summary. Toolbar Sync Cover copies the ebook front onto the print front and can add spine text. Print exports include Download Print Shop PDF and Download CMYK Print Shop PDF. AI tools support blurbs, full backgrounds, spine content, and ISBN barcodes.
Steps
Step 1 — Open Covers, select book, switch to Print
Click Covers → Select a Book. Set Layout Mode → Print. Confirm the wrap panels appear.
Step 2 — Set Cover Size and bleed
In the right Cover Size panel, pick a preset (for example 6″ × 9″) or fine-tune Width (in), Height (in), Spine Width (in), and Bleed (in). Enter Page Count (Optional) to auto-calculate spine width when available. Toggle Show Bleed Lines to see the dashed safety guides. Review Layout Summary (back/spine/front, total size, resolution).
Step 3 — Sync from your ebook cover (recommended)
If you already designed an ebook front, click Sync Cover (Sync Cover from Ebook). Success toast: Cover Synced — ebook art moves to the print front; spine text may be added. Otherwise, generate or upload art directly in Print mode.
Step 4 — Design each panel: front, spine, back
Click FRONT COVER, SPINE, or BACK COVER to focus that panel (checkmarks indicate the active panel). Add text with Add Text, assets with Add Image Asset, and print AI actions as needed:
- Add Spine Content
- Generate Cover Blurb (back-cover copy)
- Generate Full Background
- Upload Cover Background
- Add ISBN Barcode → Enter ISBN / ISBN Number
Step 5 — Save the print cover (creates or updates link)
Click Save Cover. First save may toast Print Cover Created (linked to the ebook cover); later saves show Print Cover Updated. Reloading can show Print Cover Loaded.
Step 6 — Export a print shop PDF (optional)
Open Export and choose Download Print Shop PDF or Download CMYK Print Shop PDF for your own files or vendor uploads.
Step 7 — Use the cover in Storyloft Publish
When ordering prints, continue in sidebar Publish. The Cover step can open Cover Generator and validate the wrap against your Product trim and page count—keep Cover Size aligned with those options to pass validation.
Tips
- Match trim to your Publish Product page size (for example 6×9 trade).
- Update spine width when page count changes after interior generation.
- Keep critical text inside safe margins away from bleed lines.
- Sync ebook → print after the front is final to avoid rework.
- Linen hardback foil/stamping needs are product options in Publish—cover art still must fit wrap dimensions.
FAQ
How do I make a print cover in Storyloft?
Covers → Select a Book → Layout Mode → Print, set Cover Size, design back/spine/front, then Save Cover.
What does Sync Cover do?
Sync Cover copies your ebook cover onto the print FRONT COVER and can add spine text (Cover Synced toast).
How do I set spine width?
Use Cover Size → Fine Tuning → Spine Width (in), or enter Page Count (Optional) when automatic calculation is available. Recheck after major interior changes.
Can I add an ISBN barcode?
Yes—use Add ISBN Barcode, enter your ISBN Number in Enter ISBN, and place the barcode on the back cover.
How do I download a print-ready PDF of the wrap?
In Print mode, open Export → Download Print Shop PDF (or Download CMYK Print Shop PDF). For manufactured orders, also complete Publish cover validation.
Why did my gallery click switch me back to Ebook?
Selecting some gallery covers can return Layout Mode to Ebook. Choose Print again to continue wrap editing.