Where Do You Get Covers/Thumbnails for Your Novels

[inevitabley]

UPDATE: I posted a request for an artist here (thank you!): click here

Hey guys, I'm new to Tapas and have come here from Wattpad. In Wattpad, there was a specific club (catergory) where you could get free covers, but you'll have to request from the person that opens that forum or thread. It can sometimes not be free, and the payment can usually range from commenting on their stories or to a simple follow.

I'm not sure how the system here works for when you would like a cover to your novel (when you can't draw - me lol XD). So, I was curious to where I look for it? I'm not saying it has to be free, but I would still like to know.

I usually do graphic designed covers (using Photoshop), but I've noticed that a lot of the thumbnails here are usually drawn by artists instead of made using actual photo manipulation, so I wasn't sure whether or not photo manipulation thumbnails (with usually copyrighted images from Deviantart) was allowed on here.

Thank you~

[SleepingPoppy]

Commissioning an artist would be the most effective approach.

[VibrantFox]

this threads got some pretty good answers to your questions if your curious

I cannot graphic design or draw. At all. (that is the extent of my image editing skills) My thumbnails take awhile to get because I ask for permission of the artists to use it, and sometimes there is a really good picture that I want for my thumbnail but can't get it because I cannot find the artist. For writers/comic writers out there who have a similar problem, what do you do to circumvent this? Use a specific software? Get someone else to do it? Please let me know!

[inevitabley]

Where do I commission an artist on Tapas?

[inevitabley]

The thing is, I can usually do graphic designing like Photoshop and stuff. But, the images I used are often copyrighted or from DeviantArt and I've noticed that a lot of thumbnails here are drawings so I was wondering if graphic designed thumbnails are allowed lol

[VibrantFox]

like @SleepingPoppy mentioned you can commission an artist, sometimes the Collaboration topic is a good place to start either by making a post yourself or seeing who's offering commissions.

graphic design images should be fine as well. usually if your looking to use photo's but want to ensure there's no issues of copyright Unsplash and StockSnap.io are two places that I know of.

There's also another site mentioned in the thread I'd linked Canva that can be used to create thumbnails and cover images for your series

As for tips on creating your cover there's this Medium article from Tapas that's been pretty useful

[inevitabley]

Thank you so much!

[VibrantFox]

glad to be of help

[SleepingPoppy]

Where do I commission an artist on Tapas?

Make a board advertising that you'd like to commission someone. Include some detail about your story and what kind of image you'd want, and either offer a budget or wait and see what the artists suggest.

But, the images I used are often copyrighted or from DeviantArt and I've noticed that a lot of thumbnails here are drawings so I was wondering if graphic designed thumbnails are allowed lol

Graphic design is allowed. Using copy righted images is not! Whatever images you use must either be free to use or belong to you. And I see @VibrantFox gave you some advice there, so hopefully that will help you out.

[inevitabley]

Make a board advertising

Do I make a board on the Collaboration forums like @VibrantFox suggested? Thank you

[SleepingPoppy]

Yep

Good luck

[inevitabley]

Thank you for the help

[mariusthered]

i make my own. and if you pm me happy to talk about working for you no probs.

[VibrantFox]

you can check out the application post here:

Hello! I am seeking someone to draw a thumbnail for a Wuxia story. It would be a head shot (or from chest up) or half-body (depending on the idea you decide to go from) thumbnail request :blush: I am willing to pay for the thumbnail (through PayPal only), but I am willing to pay no more than $20 - depending on the drawing. For more info on the price, please private message me here~ For the title of the story, you don't have to draw or put it on the thumbnail because I'm not really sure abou…

[mariusthered]

thanks i just got to that. I wont hold my breath

[Harmony-S-S]

For me, I make my own thumbnails. I can't draw so I use other tools