Finding Free Book Mockups Covervault And Alternative Resources

CoverVault was a popular resource for authors, designers, and marketers seeking free mockup templates for books, eBooks, and other digital products. The website offered a collection of free Photoshop SmartObject mockups that allowed users to showcase their book designs professionally. While CoverVault is no longer operational, understanding its offerings and finding similar resources remains valuable for creators looking to enhance their visual presentation without incurring design costs.

What Was CoverVault?

CoverVault emerged as a valuable resource in the self-publishing and design community by providing free access to high-quality mockup templates. According to available information, the platform featured a "treasure trove of freebies and eBook mockup files" that users could download and utilize for branding their landing pages and promotional materials.

The mockups available through CoverVault were specifically designed for books and related products, including: - eBooks - Hard books - Box sets - Audiobooks - eReaders

These templates used Photoshop's SmartObject technology, which allowed users to easily insert their own cover designs by simply replacing the placeholder image. The smart layers would automatically adjust to the proper perspective and lighting, creating realistic mockups without requiring advanced design skills.

The service was particularly beneficial for independent authors and small publishers who needed professional-looking product imagery but had limited budgets for graphic design services. By providing these templates for free, CoverVault helped level the playing field for creators who otherwise might not have been able to afford professional mockup creation.

The Status of CoverVault

CoverVault ceased operations within the past year or two, leaving many creators seeking alternatives for their mockup needs. The shutdown of this popular resource created a gap in the available free mockup options for the design community.

Despite the website's closure, some individuals who had previously downloaded the mockups have taken steps to preserve and share them. One source indicates that approximately 40 CoverVault source files are still available through a shared Dropbox folder. These files maintain their original functionality as Photoshop SmartObject templates, allowing users to continue utilizing the mockups despite the original site's absence.

The shared files have been cropped from their original size to create transparent PNGs with minimal extra space, though the backdrops and detail layers such as shadows remain intact. These templates are compatible with all current versions of Photoshop, including older versions as noted by one user who successfully employed them with an outdated copy of CS5.

For those who may have additional CoverVault mockups in their possession, an open invitation exists to contribute to the shared folder. Interested individuals can contact the maintainer of the collection using a specific subject line "CoverVault contributions" to arrange adding their files to the public collection.

Alternative Free Mockup Resources

With CoverVault no longer available, several other platforms offer free mockup templates for designers and creators. These alternatives provide similar functionality and variety, though they may not specialize exclusively in book mockups.

Free Mockup World

Free Mockup World is a comprehensive resource offering a wide range of free mockups for various design needs. The site receives approximately 4,050 daily visitors and has an estimated worth of $9,500. It provides templates across multiple categories including:

• Stationery
• Business cards
• T-shirts
• Books
• Magazines
• Flyers
• Posters
• Frames
• Packaging
• Logos

The platform allows users to easily add their own designs into blank areas on mockup templates, making it a versatile tool for various branding and marketing purposes.

Mckups.com

Mckups.com focuses on providing free mockups, PSD templates, and design freebies from talented creators. The site attracts about 2,500 daily visitors and has an estimated worth of $4,200. It emphasizes handcrafted resources that can help users "level up their creative projects" with professional-quality templates.

APEMockups.com

APEMockups.com specializes in high-quality device mockups, templates, and design resources. The site receives approximately 1,650 daily visitors and has an estimated worth of $3,300. It is particularly well-suited for showcasing apps, websites, and UI designs in professional contexts.

MockupDen

MockupDen offers a "huge collection of best free mockup PSD templates" for various digital projects. While daily traffic figures aren't provided, the site is positioned as a premium resource for digital mockups that can enhance the presentation of creative work.

These alternatives provide a range of options for creators seeking free mockup templates, though they may require some exploration to find book-specific designs similar to what CoverVault specialized in.

Professional Design Services for Book Covers

For creators who prefer professionally designed book covers rather than creating their own, numerous services are available at various price points. These options range from design contests to individual designers with specialized expertise.

Design Contest Platforms

99 Designs operates on a contest-based model where users can create a brief outlining their design needs and receive multiple cover options from different artists. Contests start at $299, and if no satisfactory designs are received, participants receive a refund. The platform also offers design services for other author branding elements like logos and business cards.

Specialized Design Services

100 Covers offers custom ebook cover designs starting at $100, with higher-priced packages ($200-$300) that include guaranteed promotions on Buck Books or CreateSpace-ready print cover designs.

MiblArt provides affordable covers across various genres and is noted as one of the best budget options for custom illustrations.

Upwork serves as a freelance platform where users can post design jobs for free and connect with designers worldwide. The system allows for searching based on job performance, hourly wage, or design specialty.

DeviantArt functions as an online community where artists showcase their work, potentially connecting authors with designers for custom projects.

Established Design Studios

Rocking Book Covers offers over 1,000 fiction premade book covers priced between $50 and $150, spanning genres like Thriller, Mystery, Romance, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Horror, and Paranormal. All designs are unique and sold only once, with free font and text changes included. The company, based in New York, has been in business since 2013 and is known for customer service.

Several full-service agencies also provide book cover design as part of comprehensive publishing packages. These services typically range from $310 to $679 for cover and formatting services, with some agencies offering packages starting at $499 that include editing, formatting, and distribution services.

DIY Book Cover Design Tools

For authors and designers who prefer to create their own book covers, various software options are available, ranging from free to premium solutions.

Free Options

Canva offers a free online design tool that is simple to use, with free templates available. However, many advanced features and images require payment.

Microsoft Word can be used to create adequate book covers, though it's not ideal for professional results. The software is free for users who already own it or costs approximately $150 (or a monthly subscription) for new users.

DIY Book Covers provides a free online design tool created by The Master Book Designer. The package includes templates and tutorials for creating bestselling covers, with a more comprehensive package available for $87.

Paid Options

Adobe Photoshop or InDesign represent advanced software options for those with superior design and technical skills. These programs cost approximately $20.99 per month and offer extensive capabilities for professional design work.

BookCreative is downloadable app software for cover design and page formatting, with a standard version priced at $97 and a deluxe version at $197. The deluxe version includes tutorials and templates plus the opportunity to receive critique from a professional designer for three covers.

Testing Book Cover Designs

Regardless of whether a book cover is professionally designed or created using DIY tools, testing the design is crucial for effectiveness. Various methods can be employed to evaluate how a cover performs with potential readers, including A/B testing, focus groups, and gathering feedback from target audience members.

The testing process should go beyond simply selecting the design that the creator personally prefers. Instead, objective measures of engagement and conversion should be considered to determine which cover design most effectively communicates the book's content and genre to potential readers.

Conclusion

CoverVault served as a valuable resource for the creative community by providing free, high-quality book mockup templates that allowed authors and designers to showcase their work professionally. While the platform is no longer operational, some of its mockup files continue to be shared through community efforts, ensuring that these resources remain available.

For those seeking alternatives, numerous platforms offer free mockup templates for various design needs, though finding book-specific designs may require some exploration. Additionally, professional design services and DIY tools provide options for creating compelling book covers, with solutions available at every price point.

By leveraging these resources and testing designs effectively, authors and publishers can enhance their visual presentation and potentially improve their book's market performance without necessarily incurring significant design costs.

Sources

1. YourChicGeek - Tools for Creating Landing Pages
2. EJ Fisch - Announcements about CoverVault Mockups
3. SitePrice.org - Competitors to Mockup.Love
4. Kindlepreneur - Book Cover Software, Designers & Services