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:
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!
I love this! I'm also curious if you will publish it via Osprey and if not, where?
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