Writing a journal for Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) can seem overwhelming, especially for those new to self-publishing. However, with Canva’s user-friendly design tool, you can easily create your own journal. This blog post will guide you through the process of designing a simple yet polished journal in Canva for KDP.
Why use Canva?
Canva is a design platform with an intuitive interface that makes it ideal for beginners. It offers a multitude of templates, fonts, and design elements that you can use to make your journal unique and professional.
Step 1: Create a New Design in Canva
Login to your Canva account and click on ‘Create a design’ button on the top right corner. In the drop-down menu, choose the Custom dimensions option. Enter the dimensions based on KDP’s recommended size for journals, which is 6″ x 9″. Choose inches as the unit and then click on the Create new design button.
Step 2: Choose a Template or Start from Scratch
Once your new design page opens, you have two options. You can either choose a template from Canva’s library or start designing from scratch. If you choose a template, simply click on it and it will be automatically applied to your design page.
Step 3: Customize Your Journal
Now, it’s time to let your creativity shine. If you chose a template, you can customize the texts, colors, and even the images. You can add pages to your journal by clicking on the Add a new page button at the bottom of your design page.
Step 4: Download Your Design
Once you are satisfied with your design, go to the top right corner of the page and click on the Download button. Choose PDF Print from the options. Make sure the ‘Crop marks and bleed’ option is ticked.
Step 5: Upload your Journal to KDP
Log in to your KDP account and go to your dashboard. Click on Create Paperback. Input your book details, then upload your journal PDF file.
Conclusion
Designing a journal for KDP does not have to be a challenging task. With Canva, you can create a professional-looking journal without any design skills. So, why not give it a try and start designing your own journal today?
