Customizable Hardcover Mockup
What's inside
- Applications Photoshop
- File Types PSD
- License Free (see author's terms)
- Author Zippypixels
This customizable hardcover mockup is a quick way to show a cookbook without a photo shoot.
Useful for cover designers as much as for authors. Tip: design the spine too, even if it’s narrow. Book mockups showing the side look unfinished with a blank spine.
Seeing a layout on a real book is also the easiest way to catch problems early. A phone number that looked fine on screen can turn out too small once it sits on paper. If you’re building a full identity, pair it with an envelope or letterhead mockup for a matching set.
The file is made by Zippypixels. The download button takes you to their page, where you get the original file and the licence details.
Editable options in the Customizable Hardcover Mockup PSD
The PSD is layered, so you can change:
- Your design, placed through the smart object
- Front and back artwork, where both sides are shown
- Paper or background colour
- Paper texture you can turn up or down
Add your design to the Customizable Hardcover Mockup
- Export your artwork as a high-resolution PNG or JPG, around 300 ppi at print size.
- In the Layers panel, find the layer with the small smart object icon and double-click it.
- Place your design, hide the sample artwork, save, and go back to the main file.
- Export with File › Export › Export As: JPG for sharing, PNG for the web.
Another tip: dark designs often look flat on paper mockups. Turning the highlight layer up slightly brings back the sheen.
Where the Customizable Hardcover Mockup works best
- Show an annual report cover to a client before it goes to print or production.
- Present a book cover in a client proposal or brand guide.
- Share a novel jacket on Instagram, Behance or Dribbble with a real-looking preview.
Quick notes on this mockup
- Made by Zippypixels. The download size and format are listed on their page.
- Some free mockups ask for credit when you post them. A short line in your caption is enough.
- Check the licence on the author’s page. Personal and commercial terms differ from file to file.
- Built for Adobe Photoshop. A recent CC version handles the smart objects best.
More free book mockups are listed below, each linking to the original author.
Questions about this mockup
Is it free for commercial use?
Zippypixels sets the licence, and it can differ from file to file. Many free files allow personal and commercial use, but some are personal-only or ask for credit. Read the terms on the download page before a paid project.
How do I add my design?
Open the file in Photoshop, double-click the smart object thumbnail, paste or place your artwork in the new tab, save it (Ctrl/Cmd + S) and close. The main file updates on its own.
Do I need Photoshop?
Yes. This is a PSD mockup built with smart objects, so you edit it in Adobe Photoshop. Any recent CC version works.
Can I show both sides?
It depends on the file. Many print mockups include a front and a back smart object; the preview usually shows whether both sides are visible.
