Lifestyle Books

Canva - templates and instructions

Seldex Lifestyle Book Designs

We have created a range of cover designs that can be used in Canva for free. These designs are OPTIONAL - you do not have to use them! We have created them for those photographers looking to save some time, or those seeking inspiration.

Our Seldex cover designs can be used in Canva only and are available to suit 10x10", 9x12" or 10x14" albums. Each design has 3 links below the image and when you click on the link your design will open. Design instructions for using these designs can be found in the accoridan below named HOW TO DESIGN LIFESTYLE BOOKS - USING SELDEX COVER DESIGNS.

Design 1

10x10 9x12 10x14
Design 2

10x10 9x12 10x14
Design 3

10x10 9x12 10x14
Design 4

10x10 9x12 10x14
Design 5

10x10 9x12 10x14
Design 6

10x10 9x12 10x14
Design 7

10x10 9x12 10x14
Design 8

10x10 9x12 10x14
Design 9

10x10 9x12 10x14
Design 10

10x10 9x12 10x14
Design 11

10x10 9x12 10x14
Design 12

10x10 9x12 10x14
Design 13

10x10 9x12 10x14

How to design Lifestyle Books - using Seldex cover designs

Please note you do not have to use our Seldex cover designs. Our cover designs are there to help and inspire, but you can also create your own designs! Below you will find 2 videos showing you how to create a cover and slipcase in Canva, and below that are written instructions if you don't wish to watch the video.

STEP 1 - On this webpage you will find multiple accoridans for Album Cover & Slipcase Templates. The template you need to select will depend on the size of the album, the paper type and the number of spreads within the book - for example if your 9x12" album is to be printed on lustre paper and has 13 spreads you will need to open the template called 9x12 LSB Album cover template 13-14 lustre spreads. To get started click on the album template link you wish to open, and your template will appear on screen as below. Click on "view template" followed by "open in editor".

STEP 2 - A copy of the album cover template will have now opened in Canva. Album cover templates are green and white as per the image below. When you open the template it will clearly display the front and back cover of the album as well as the spine area. The white Wrap Areas around the outside of your template show the part of the cover that will be wrapped (folded over or turned in) during the manufacturing process. This area will not appear on the front or back cover of your album when it is closed, but you will see this when the album is opened.

Before continuing you should now rename the template with the clients name (or studio reference) whilst keeping the album size and number of spreads in the title - this will ensure its easy to find in the future and both you, and Seldex, will know which template was used to create the file. In the image displayed below I have added the client name Taleigha to the file name whilst keeping the albums size and spreads. We have added guidelines to the template so that when you add images and text over the template you can still clearly see the front & back cover, spine, gutters and wrap areas. Please ensure you turn the guides on. Go to File > Settings > Show Rulers and Guides.

STEP 3 - You are now ready to start designing using one of our cover designs! On the Lifestyle Book cover design webpage, you will find an accordian titled SELDEX LIFESTYLE BOOK DESIGNS. Open this accordian to view the designs and click on the design size that you wish to use. For example we're going to use Design 10, as shown below, for a 9x12 album. Once you click on the 9x12 link below the image the template will open in a new tab, click on "view template" followed by "open in editor" and the design will appear in Canva.

STEP 4 - You now need to copy the Seldex design onto your album template.

FOR PC USERS - Whilst on the Seldex design tab click CTRL A (to select all) then CTRL C (to copy the design) then click on the album cover template in your other open tab. Once on this template click CTRL V (to paste the Seldex design into your album cover template).

FOR MAC USERS - Whilst on the Seldex design tab click COMMAND A (to select all) then COMMAND C (to copy the design) then click on the album cover template in your other open tab. Once on this template click COMMAND V (to paste the Seldex design into your album cover template).

You can now drag the Seldex design into the correct position on the album cover as displayed below.

STEP 5 - You can now finish your cover design by making any adjustments you need to. As you can see from the image below we have changed the cover image and have moved the heading down, and also changed it to white, as the grey from the template got a bit lost in the new image. We've also added text to the spine and copied the cover image to the back cover, and then dropped in a new back cover image. These are all simple changes to make once you are familiar with Canva.

Please remember that you need to fill the ENTIRE space with either image or solid colour - we've added a white background to this template to cover the green template. You must ensure you DO NOT finish your image on the edge of the wrap area/guideline - your image must go to the outside edge of the template - or well within it, like we have done with this design. You can include your client's names, dates or other design elements and we encourage photographers to also add their studio logo.

Do not place text or other design elements too close to the guidelines and expect them to line up exactly with the edge of the cover. The mounting process is not exact and you MUST allow space for the image to shift when mounting.

IMPORTANT - The Wrap and Spine guidelines are estimates only. Silk can stretch during the mounting process so the guides can, by no means, be exact determinations of the actual fold. If you are going to use a solid colour on the spine then this may be seen on the front or back cover (by a couple of millimetres) when it is mounted.

Once you are happy with your design remember to click File > Save.

STEP 6 - You are now ready to create your slipcase. On the Lifestyle Book cover design webpage click on the Slipcase template link you wish to open (this will be in the same accordian as the album cover template). The template will appear on screen, just as it did with the album cover template, click on "view template" followed by "open in editor" and it will open in Canva in a new tab. Slipcase templates are grey and white as per the image below. When you open the template it will clearly display the front and back cover of the album as well as the spine area. It's important to note the front cover is now on the left and the back cover is on the right - the opposite to the album cover. The white Wrap Areas around the outside of your template show the part of the cover that will be wrapped (folded over or turned in) during the manufacturing process. This area will not appear on the front or back cover of your slipcase, but you will see part of this on the inside of your slipcase.

STEP 7 - Like the album cover template it's important to rename the template with the clients name (or studio reference) whilst keeping the slipcase size and number of spreads in the title - this will ensure its easy to find in the future and both you, and us, and we will know which template was used to create the file.

STEP 8 - If you want your slipcase template to be the same as the album cover then you need to copy the design over.

FOR PC USERS - Whilst on the album cover tab click CTRL A (to select all) then CTRL C (to copy the design) then click on the slipcase template in your other open tab. Once on this template click CTRL V (to paste the cover design into your slipcase cover template).

FOR MAC USERS - Whilst on the album cover tab click COMMAND A (to select all) then COMMAND C (to copy the design) then click on the slipcase template in your other open tab. Once on this template click COMMAND V (to paste the album cover into your album cover template).

Remember the Slipcase front and back cover is reversed compared to the album cover. You will need to move the front cover and back cover images, as well as text etc into the correct position as shown in the first image below. The slipcase is also slightly larger than the album cover so you can increase the size of the content to suit the template. Alternatively you can design a totally different cover for the Slipcase as shown in the second image below. Once you are happy with your design remember to click File > Save.

STEP 9 - You're now ready to export your files that you will send to us! With the album cover open in Canva click on the SHARE button in the top right hand corner, then click DOWNLOAD. The file type needs to be changed to PDF PRINT. This is the only export option that will keep the size of the file correct at 300dpi. Leave the colour profile at RGB (best for digital use) and click DOWNLOAD. Once the download has completed, repeat the process using the Slipcase design. These 2 files are what you will upload to us when you place your order.

STEP 10 - You're done! Now you are ready to place your order.

How to design Lifestyle Books - your own design

STEP 1 – On this webpage, you’ll find Album Cover & Slipcase templates for Canva.

Choose the right template based on:
- Album size
- Paper type
- Number of spreads
For example: If your 9x12" album is printed on lustre paper and has 13 spreads, select the template named “9x12 LSB Album Cover Template 13–14 Lustre Spreads.”
Open the template:
- Click on the album template link you want to use
- Click “View Template”
- Then click “Open in Editor”

Your template will now appear on screen and is ready to use.

STEP 2 – Your album cover template will now be open in Canva. Album cover templates are green and white, showing the front cover, back cover, and spine.

The white Wrap Areas around the edges indicate the parts of the cover that will be folded or turned in during manufacturing. These areas won’t appear on the front or back when the album is closed, but you’ll see them when the album is open.

Before you continue:

Rename the template with the client’s name or a studio reference, while keeping the album size and number of spreads in the title. This makes it easy to find later and helps us know which template was used.
- Example: “Andrijic – 9x12 LSB Album 13–14 Lustre Spreads.”
Add guidelines to match the template’s wrap areas and spine lines:
- For a vertical guideline, drag from the left-hand ruler
- For a horizontal guideline, drag from the top ruler
- If rulers aren’t visible, press Shift + R

Add guidelines over all the template markers so you can see the wrap areas and spine lines while designing.

STEP 3 – Start Designing

You’re now ready to design your album cover! Canva is easy to use - you can add images, text, design elements, and more. In the example below, we’ve added a photo, text, and the studio logo.

Important design tips:

Fill the entire space with either an image or solid colour. The white background in the template covers the green template areas.
Don’t stop your image at the wrap area/guidelines. Make sure your design extends to the outside edges of the template, or stays safely within it, as shown in our example.
You can include client names, dates, or your studio logo, but avoid placing text or important elements too close to the guidelines—there’s some shift during mounting.
Wrap and spine guides are estimates only. Silk can stretch slightly, so colours or images may shift a few millimetres. If using a solid colour on the spine, it may appear slightly on the front or back cover.

When your design is complete, click File > Save to save your work.

STEP 4 – Create Your Slipcase

You’re now ready to design your slipcase!

On the Lifestyle Book webpage, click the slipcase template link you want to use.
Click “View Template”, then “Open in Editor”. The template will open in Canva in a new tab.
Slipcase templates are grey and white. They show the front cover, back cover, and spine.
IMPORTANT: For slipcases, the front cover is on the left and the back cover is on the right, opposite to the album cover layout.
The white Wrap Areas around the edges indicate parts of the cover that will be folded during manufacturing. These areas won’t appear on the front or back of the slipcase, but may be visible inside the slipcase.

STEP 5 – Create Your Slipcase Design

Remember: The slipcase front and back covers are reversed compared to the album cover.
To copy your album cover design:
- PC Users:
  - On the album cover tab, press CTRL + A (select all) → CTRL + C (copy).
  - Go to the slipcase template tab → CTRL + V (paste).
- Mac Users:
  - On the album cover tab, press COMMAND + A (select all) → COMMAND + C (copy).
  - Go to the slipcase template tab → COMMAND + V (paste).
Adjust your design:
- Move images, text, and other elements into the correct positions.
- The slipcase is slightly larger than the album cover, so you can resize content to fit.
- If needed, expand your images (e.g., using Photoshop’s generative fill) to cover the extra space.
Optional: You can also create a completely different design for the slipcase (as shown in the second image)
When you’re happy with your design, click File > Save.

STEP 9 – Export Your Files

Open your album cover in Canva.
Click the SHARE button (top right), then select DOWNLOAD.
Change the file type to PDF Print – this ensures the correct size at 300dpi.
Leave the colour profile as RGB.
Click DOWNLOAD.
Repeat the same process for your slipcase design.

These two files are what you will upload when placing your order.

STEP 10 - You're done! Now you are ready to place your order.

10x10 Album & Slipcase templates - matte paper

You can design your Lifestyle Book album cover and slipcase in either Canva or Photoshop. Below are links to our Canva templates. Unfortunately you cannot save an entire folder of files to Canva so each template will need to be saved individually. It sounds time consuming but its actually a very quick process! Before starting you will need to create a Canva account (www.canva.com) and this can be the free account.

When you click on a link the template will open, and you should click on "view template" followed by "open in editor". Once in Canva it will save a copy of the template to your home page. You could save the templates into a folder in Canva for future use or you can return to this webpage and download individual templates as needed.