Hardback Book Mockup
What's inside
- Applications Photoshop
- File Types PSD
- License Free (see author's terms)
- Author Pixeden
A cookbook looks better on a hardback book mockup than on a white artboard, and this mockup is set up for exactly that.
Good pick for cover designers, publishers or anyone putting together a portfolio. Tip: design the spine too, even if it’s narrow. Book mockups showing the side look unfinished with a blank spine.
It also makes a good cover image for a Behance or Dribbble post, where the first thumbnail decides whether anyone clicks.
Use it for
- A cookbook
- An annual report cover
- A novel jacket
The file is made by Pixeden. The download button takes you to their page, where you get the original file and the licence details.
What you can edit in this Hardback Book Mockup
The PSD is layered, so you can change:
- Your design, placed through the smart object
- Paper texture you can turn up or down
- Paper or background colour
How to use the Hardback Book Mockup
- Set up the design flat at the real print size and keep text inside a safe margin.
- Open the file in Photoshop and double-click the smart object thumbnail in the Layers panel.
- Paste your design, resize it to fill the area, then save (Ctrl/Cmd + S) and close that tab.
- Save a JPG for clients and social media, and keep the PSD for later changes.
Worth remembering: keep text at least a few millimetres from the edge. The mockup shows the trim, and cramped margins read as a mistake.
Best uses for this Hardback Book Mockup
- Use it as the cover image for a cookbook in your portfolio.
- Make two or three colour versions of a novel jacket and let the client pick.
- Present a book cover in a client proposal or brand guide.
Good to know
- Made by Pixeden. The download size and format are listed on their page.
- Built for Adobe Photoshop. A recent CC version handles the smart objects best.
- Check the licence on the author’s page. Personal and commercial terms differ from file to file.
- The preview shows the angle, background and lighting you’ll get.
Need a different angle? The book mockups category has plenty more free PSD files.
Questions about this mockup
What licence does it come with?
Pixeden 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.
Which Photoshop version do I need?
A recent Photoshop CC version is best. Older versions can open the file but sometimes have trouble with smart objects and effects.
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.
