Paper Notes Notebook Mockup
What's inside
- Applications Photoshop
- File Types PSD
- License Free (see author's terms)
- Author Pixeden
Show a journal cover the way it will actually look: on a paper notes notebook mockup. The paper surface is the main character here, so designs with some contrast stand out best.
Good pick for Etsy sellers, corporate gift designers or anyone putting together a portfolio. A small tip: keep text at least a few millimetres from the edge. The mockup shows the trim, and cramped margins read as a mistake.
It also makes a good cover image for a Behance or Dribbble post, where the first thumbnail decides whether anyone clicks. If you’re building a full identity, pair it with an envelope or letterhead mockup for a matching set.
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’s inside the Paper Notes Notebook Mockup PSD
Open it in Photoshop and you can change:
- Your design, placed through the smart object
- Paper texture you can turn up or down
- Shadows and highlights on their own layers
- Front and back artwork, where both sides are shown
How to edit this Paper Notes Notebook Mockup in Photoshop
- Get your artwork ready at print size, with 3 mm of bleed if it runs to the edge.
- In the Layers panel, find the layer with the small smart object icon and double-click it.
- Drop your artwork in, fit it to the canvas, save and close. The mockup updates by itself.
- Export with File › Export › Export As: JPG for sharing, PNG for the web.
One more thing: dark designs often look flat on paper mockups. Turning the highlight layer up slightly brings back the sheen.
Ways to use this Paper Notes Notebook Mockup
- Show a planner design to a client before it goes to print or production.
- Share a journal cover on Instagram, Behance or Dribbble with a real-looking preview.
- Use it as the cover image for a branded cover in your portfolio.
Quick notes on this mockup
- 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.
- Some free mockups ask for credit when you post them. A short line in your caption is enough.
Scroll down for similar notebook mockups from other designers.
Questions about this mockup
Is it free for commercial use?
It's free to download, but the licence belongs to Pixeden. Check their page: it states whether commercial use is allowed and if attribution is needed.
How do I put my artwork on the notebook?
Find the smart object layer (it has a small icon on its thumbnail), double-click it, place your design, then save and close that tab.
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.
Will my artwork look printed or pasted on?
Most print mockups keep the paper texture and lighting on separate layers above your design, so it takes on the grain and shadows. If it still looks too clean, lower the opacity of your artwork a little.
