Paperback Hardcover Book Mockup
What's inside
- Applications Photoshop
- File Types PSD
- License Free (see author's terms)
- Author Mockups Design
This paperback hardcover book mockup is a quick way to show a cookbook without a photo shoot.
Good pick for cover designers, publishers or anyone putting together a portfolio. A small tip: design the spine too, even if it’s narrow. Book mockups showing the side look unfinished with a blank spine.
Clients sign off faster when they can picture the finished piece, and a flat PDF rarely does that as well as a photo of the book. If you’re building a full identity, pair it with an envelope or letterhead mockup for a matching set.
Credit goes to Mockups Design. We link to their download page rather than re-uploading the file, so check their terms there before commercial use.
What you can edit in this Paperback Hardcover 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
- Shadows and highlights on their own layers
How to use the Paperback Hardcover 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.
- Drop your artwork in, fit it to the canvas, save and close. The mockup updates by itself.
- Save a JPG for clients and social media, and keep the PSD for later changes.
Export your artwork at the size the smart object asks for; scaling a small file up is the usual reason print mockups look soft.
Ways to use this Paperback Hardcover Book Mockup
- Present a book cover in a client proposal or brand guide.
- Show a novel jacket on your online shop or product page.
- Share a cookbook on Instagram, Behance or Dribbble with a real-looking preview.
Good to know
- Made by Mockups Design. The download size and format are listed on their page.
- Check the licence on the author’s page. Personal and commercial terms differ from file to file.
- Some free mockups ask for credit when you post them. A short line in your caption is enough.
- Check the smart object size before you design, so your artwork fits without stretching.
Scroll down for similar book mockups from other designers.
Questions about this mockup
Can I use this book mockup for client work?
That depends on the author's terms. The download page lists what is allowed; when in doubt, ask the author directly.
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.
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.
