How I created distressed old sci-fi novel covers for my DEEP SPACE TTRPG

I was asked how I create distressed old sci-fi novel covers for my DEEP SPACE TTRPG so here's a guide for my fellow indie creators!

After deciding on the fonts I want I build the cover using LibreOffice Writer which is basically a free version of basic MS Word. I choose to build that way because I want to emulate similar restrictions that typesetters had when creating covers of the time, so I have to be creative with the layout of the lettering and how the image in the background fits.

I then source the images from wherever I can find free images, and there's plenty to choose from.

After making sure the image site is reputable, the image isn't AI and doing a final search to make sure that the image hadn't been lifted from anywhere, I crop it to size and put in the background.

Once I'm happy with it I snip the final picture and save it as an image file. Then I open MSPaint and copy it in. Nothing fancy, just basic MSPaint. It's here I want to add some lines to make the book look creased so I draw white lines at the corners, add some to the edges to make it look a bit torn and even draw it down the spine to look used.

Then I save and open an online tool to help distress the book called iPiccy. This gives me the ability to add layers of grunge, lighting effects and paper styles, and as a bonus the white of the lines I drew are then browned and look even more worn. Once finished, I can then download the image at it's highest resolution and that's it.

The whole process from deciding fonts, images and layout to final cover can take 2-3 hours. There's always some tweaking going on from font colour and shading to colour correction to image manipulation, but once the initial layout is done on LibreOffice the rest of the process is straightforward.

And that's it. That's how I create my Deep Space covers. It's a bit of work but there are no costs at all and it's a simple case of being creative with what you have.

Links below to my sources:

www.libreoffice.org

jspaint.app

ipiccy.com

www.freepik.com

www.pexels.com

pixabay.com

I've done what due diligence I can and these sites are as legit as I can find but I always check the images I use to be on the safe side and credit where credit is due.

I never use AI or any kind of AI text, mainly because I'm a human being with a soul and morals, and I buy stock art where I can afford it.

I'm working on an expanded print version of Deep Space next year and it will have paid artists involved (I've already snagged an awesome cover artist), but this way costs nothing and with a bit of work and imagination yields great results.

Hope this helps, fellow indie creators!

OUT NOW - DEEP SPACE SOURCEBOOK #5 - THE COALITION

As the Cold War went on and dozens of star systems found themselves being handed around like playing pieces, a few members of different nations realised that the old ways were going to tear the human race apart – even out here amongst the stars – and that a new way of governing the people was required. Long gone were the days of controlling dozens of worlds from a central seat, they thought; what we need is a way for worlds to take care of their own affairs and yet still defer to a central body that ruled for the benefit of all the member systems, and not just those who had the most power or resources.

These few politicians began a movement that took almost a decade to come to fruition, and before the nations realised it eight stars systems situated quite close to each other had split from their parent governments and declared themselves The Coalition...

DEEP SPACE SOURCEBOOK #5 - THE COALITION is a 2-page book providing information and stats for the nation including military forces, starships, the government system, the star systems, and the trouble they cause for other nations and themselves...

Requires 'DEEP SPACE - A SIMPLE SPACE ADVENTURE ROLEPLAYING GAME'