Finding the Best eBook Templates for Your New Publication

Are you considering publishing an eBook for your business, such as a case study or portfolio? If you have already prepared the content, the next step is designing your eBook. This process takes time. You must organize your content and remember design principles to ensure your eBook is readable and structured. But a handy template can become your savior if you don’t have design experience and want to avoid publishing delays. Where, then, can you find the best eBook templates? 

Ebook and Ebook Template Overview

If you look ebook up in the dictionary, you will find its definition as “an electronic book which can be read on a small computer screen.” Pretty straightforward, right? If an ebook is just a book in a digital format, that technically means that many things are not actually ebooks. Does it truly define an ebook? 

An ebook is a non-editable, portable book converted to digital form, making it readable on any digital device, including a personal computer or mobile device. 

To get a better understanding of what an ebook is, let us look at the two unique characteristics of an ebook: 

• Non-editable: The text in an ebook is not editable, so it is always converted into a format that ensures it is uneditable. With thousands of people accessing ebooks on digital devices, they could change any content without the author’s permission. The text on an actual ebook should not be able to change in any way, just like a printed book. 
• Portable or Reflowable: This means that regardless of the screen size, it will always fit your device’s screen when you read the ebook. The text will remain formatted with chapters and line breaks, and images will resize to fit the size of your device’s screen. But there is one exception: PDFs. PDFs cannot be edited, but they are not reflowable. So, technically, they don’t qualify as an actual ebook. However, businesses are taking advantage of easy PDF download and distribution, and PDFs are still used as ebook formats.

Speaking of formats, below are the widely used ebook formats: 

EPUB (.epub)

The most widely supported ebook format is electronic publication, or EPUB. It can be accessed on various devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and most ebook readers (except Kindle). 

AZW(.azw)

AZW files are a proprietary format developed by Amazon specifically for its Kindle eReaders. These files can store rich content, including bookmarks, annotations, and highlights. However, their use is restricted to Kindle devices and devices with Kindle apps. Moreover, AZW can only be accessed from the Amazon online bookstore. 

PDF (.pdf)

A PDF, or portable document format, isn’t technically a valid ebook based on the definition, but it is the format most people are familiar with. While PDFs are easy to use and offer custom layouts, they can be difficult to read on a small screen. While not reflowable, PDFs are still one of the most commonly used ebook formats, especially for digital marketers. 

So, what is an ebook template? An ebook template provides a ready-made framework for creating an ebook, pre-designed with elements like color schemes, fonts, headings, structure, and layout. You can edit and customize these elements to create interesting ebook designs. 

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Points to consider when choosing ebook design

Now that you’ve understood the basics of ebook and eBook templates, here are the key factors to consider when browsing for  free ebook templates:

Style & Formatting

While you can customize and edit most free ebook templates, their fundamental structure remains unchanged. You must find an ebook template that fits your style and preference. Browse through the options before choosing the final template for your ebook. You must consider these essential layout aspects in ebook templates: 

• An eye-catching ebook cover 
• Easy to read 
• Consistent design across all pages 
• With high-quality images that are relevant to the topic

Customization Options

If your ebooks are intended for clients or customers, it is important that they feel a personal connection with your brand. Give them something special and unique instead of a generic template.

Editing Features

Your dream ebook template needs styling and formatting options like font styles, themes, and tools. So, look for a template that is flexible and easy to customize.

Importing and uploading Options

You should also look for a template with a built-in team asset-sharing feature to allow your team members to collaborate on your ebook design. This way, you have everything you need in a shared space and use the same elements.

Customer Reviews & Testimonials

In browsing customer reviews, note if inconsistencies in the ebook design are common in the negative feedback. Avoid those templates. Instead, research the most positive reviews and only use a template you have confidence in after reading all the details.

13 Websites to Find eBook Templates

1. Visme

One of the top choices to get eBook templates from is Visme. Even if Visme specializes in presentations and data visualizations, you can download eBook designs from them. You can find educational, how-to, recipe, travel and marketing eBooks, and so much more! 

They require you to sign up if you want to use their templates immediately. As for the price, you can edit on Visme for free. But subscribing to their plans will give you access if you need to use premium design assets.

Pricing:

• Basic – Free
• Starter  – $29.99/mo
• Pro – $59.99/mo
• Teams – Contact sales

Pros:

• Strong focus on visual content creation, including ebooks
• Offers a good selection of customizable templates, interactive elements, and data visualization tools. 
• Suitable for infographics and data-heavy ebooks.

Cons: 

• Free plan is limited. 

2. Canva

An alternative to Visme to find eBook designs is in Canva. This graphic design software has templates for social media, blogging, website graphics, and more. They have 146 templates to choose from. As for designs, most design themes follow the current graphic design trends. Meanwhile, you can use their templates for:

• Novels
• Workbooks
• Notebooks
• Catalogs
• How-tos

Although they have a free plan, you need a subscription to use their premium designs. In addition, you can buy templates from other sites on this list to edit on this graphic design software.

Pros: 

• User-friendly interface
• Huge library of templates (including ebook covers and some interior page layouts). 
• Tons of free stock photos and design elements.
• Easy to collaborate on designs.

Cons: 

• Free plan has limitations on assets and some templates. 
• Template quality can be inconsistent.

3. Marq

Lucidpress, now Marq, also offers free eBook templates for marketing and sales teams. Before signing up to edit your desired eBook template, you will get a preview. 

In addition, some eBook designs are interactive. They incorporated features like CTA buttons and videos. Like other sites here, you can edit the eBooks for free. But to access other elements and features, such as stock photos and icons, more templates, and the branded assets manager, you need to subscribe to their pricing plans.

• Free
• Pro – $10/user
• Team – $12/user (3 minimum)
• Business – Contact sales

Pros: 

• It focuses on brand consistency, making it good for businesses creating ebooks. 
• Offers collaborative features
• Offers templates and design tools.

Cons: 

• More expensive than many other options. 
• Free trial is limited. 

4. Flipsnack

Flipsnack is another option to download and edit eBook designs. Even if they don’t have a wide design selection, you can find eBooks for personal or business use. The majority of their selection is for photobooks and marketing. Plus, they offer simple yet trendy designs.

Unlike other graphic design apps here, Flipsnack doesn’t have a free plan, but they offer a 14-day free trial before you subscribe.

Pros: 

• It specializes in creating interactive flipbooks, which can be in a unique ebook format. 
• Offers templates and customization options. 
• Good for visually rich content.

Cons: 

• Some features might not be ideal for traditional ebooks.

5. Envato Elements

Although Envato Elements is for designers, you can download eBook templates. You can download the following eBook templates on the marketplace:

• Company profiles
• Workbooks
• Guides
• Magazines
• Portfolios
• Business proposals
• Cookbooks

Designers have created eBook templates editable on Canva, InDesign, and Microsoft Word. In addition, most eBook designs are minimalist and modern.

To download an eBook template, you need to subscribe. Here are their pricing plans:

• Individual – $16.50/mo
• Teams – $14.50/mo/member (for two members)
• Enterprise – Custom pricing

Pros: 

• A massive library of design assets includes ebook templates, stock photos, fonts, and graphics. 
• Subscription-based access which is cost-effective if you need more templates

Cons: 

• The large volume of assets can be overwhelming.
• Quality can vary.
• Requires design software to edit the templates.

6. Vista Create

Among the graphic design apps on this list, Vista Create has more than 200+ eBook designs to select from. On top of designing eBook covers, you can also design and edit the content of your eBook on this platform. You can expect high-quality and trendy designs for the following eBook types:

• Product offering
• Cookbook
• Magazine
• Educational
• Travel guide
• Health and fitness guides
• Real estate guide

Pros: 

• User-friendly design tool with a good selection of templates. 
• Offers free and paid plans. 

Cons: 

• There are fewer interior page layout options than some other tools. 
• The free plan has limitations.

7. Venngage

Venngage is a famous infographic maker, but they have expanded to providing templates for marketing and branding assets. They have a small collection of eBook designs. But it’s worth browsing since they have templates for marketing, travel, how-to, and non-profit purposes. Not all designs are free to use, so you need to subscribe to their premium or business plans to edit them.

Pricing:

• Free
• Premium – $19/mo/user
• Business – $49/mo/user
• Enterprise – $499/mo/user

Pros: 

• It focuses on infographics and data visualization, making it suitable for non-fiction ebooks. 
• Offers templates and customization options.

Cons: 

• Pricing can be a factor.

8. Creative Market

Creative Market is another marketplace made for designers. However, you can also find eBook designs and graphics for your new publication. You can find various eBook types, such as journals, workbooks, magazines, book mockups, and cookbooks. Like other eBook designs on this list, you can use Canva or InDesign to customize your eBook. 

Plus, you can buy an eBook template for as low as $10. Or, you can buy a bundle for around $80+.

Pros: 

• Marketplace for independent designers selling templates and other design assets. 
• High-quality, unique designs.

Cons: 

• Templates are purchased individually, which can be expensive. 
• Requires design software to edit the templates.

9. Adobe Express

If you’ve written a new book and need an eBook cover template, Adobe Express is one of the best places to design and download one. 

They have limited selections, but you can customize the eBook cover with icons, illustrations, pictures, fonts, and colors. Plus, you can choose between their free or premium options. Aside from designing an eBook cover with their templates, you can design your new fiction or non-fiction book by adding more pages in the editor.

If you want access to their premium eBook designs, you must subscribe to their premium plan. It’s $9.99/mo.

Pros: 

• Easy-to-use design tool with some free template
• Integrates with other Adobe products.

Cons: 

• Limited ebook interior layout options. 
• Free plan has limited features

10. Etsy

One unexpected place to find and download eBook designs is Etsy. Unfortunately, you won’t find anything free on the eCommerce platform.

On Etsy, you can find workbooks and recipe books. Plus, you can save money by purchasing bundles too. You can rely on Etsy sellers for captivating and engaging eBook designs since they’re professional designers too. In addition, they’ve optimized their eBook designs to Canva and InDesign.

Pros: 

• Unique and artistic ebook cover templates from independent designers. 

Cons: 

• Templates are purchased individually, which can be expensive. 
• Requires design software to edit the templates.

11. Xara

Xara is another design software business owners, and marketers use to edit their eBook designs. The software company has its set of templates to design in a matter of minutes. With Xara, you can edit your eBooks for this purpose:

• Customer journey
• Digital marketing plan
• Milestone
• Company portfolio
• Key account management

Pros: 

• More advanced design software with good ebook layout capabilities. 
• Offers templates and customization options.

Cons: 

• Steeper learning curve than some other tools. 
• Not as many free templates.

12. Hubspot

Hubspot is well-known for its educational and in-depth marketing and sales eBooks. That said, they’ve become an authority on these topics. Plus, they’re great at designing their eBooks as well. 

On top of their marketing and sales blogs and content, they’re also providing small businesses and marketers with simple and compelling eBook template designs. Hubspot offers 30+ templates in a bundle to download for free. Included in the bundle are the following:

• Microsoft PowerPoint templates
• Google Sheets templates
• Adobe InDesign templates
• Customizable icons
• A guide to creating your eBook
• In-page templates

Pros: 

• Focuses on marketing materials, including ebooks. 
• Offers templates and resources for creating lead magnets.

Cons: 

• Ebook designs are limited.

13. Snappa

Snappa is a cloud-based graphic design tool that offers free eBook cover templates. These templates cover various genres and styles, giving you a good starting point for your eBook cover design. With its easy customization feature, you can change the colors, fonts, images, and layout with Snappa’s user-friendly drag-and-drop interface.

Snappa has three pricing plans: Starter (Free), Pro ($10 per month for 1 user), and Team ($20 per month for 5 users). 

Pros: 

• User-friendly. 
• Offers free and paid plans. 

Cons: 

• The free plan has limitations.

Here’s How Penji Can Help

Although it’s easy to use and download templates, one caveat is that it’s not tailored to your business. Sure, you can customize it or slap your logo on the eBook. But it doesn’t have your signature business brand. So, if you need a branded eBook design, you can partner with Penji for your eBook! Penji designers will ensure that you’ll receive compelling and killer eBook designs that your readers will love. If you want to learn how Penji can create your designs, sign up for a demo today!