Canva vs Bookfairy: the complete paperback cover
Both get you a cover. The difference is who handles the measurements: front, spine and back in one file, sized to your book, with barcode and logo on the back.
Short answer
For a print-ready paperback cover, Bookfairy builds front, spine and back as one print PDF. In Canva you lay out the wrap by hand.
- Spine calculated for youFrom your page count and paper, all in one print PDF.
- Barcode and logo on the backISBN barcode and your publisher logo, placed for you.
- $12 per bookThree free drafts. Canva Pro: $18 a month or $144 a year in the US, plus tax; Canva Free $0.
Canva vs Bookfairy: one paperback cover
One book, one complete cover for print. What you do yourself and what is done for you.
Compared task: a complete, print-ready paperback cover with front, spine and back for one book.
| Feature |  | Canva Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Front, spine and back | All three in one print PDF, sized to your trim and page count | Set up by hand at a custom size, from a template or a blank design26 |
| Spine width | Calculated from page count and paper | You work it out and enter it as part of the custom size2 |
| Back cover | Back cover text, EAN-13 barcode from your ISBN and your publisher logo placed for you | Laid out by hand; barcode from the barcode generator app25 |
| New trim size or page count | Cover rebuilt with the new spine, $2.4020 tokens | New custom size, panels rearranged by you2 |
| Price for one book | $12.00100 tokens once, no subscription; 3 drafts free | $18 a month or $144 a year for one person, excl. tax; free plan $01 |
As of 8 November 2026. Canva prices for the US, in USD excluding tax.
Canva, Kindle Direct Publishing, IngramSpark, 99designs and Book Brush are trademarks of their respective owners. Bookfairy is not affiliated with them.
Who handles the measurements
What you get at the end
- The full wrap as a print PDF with bleed: front, spine and back
- The front as its own image for the ebook
- Back cover text, ISBN barcode and your publisher logo on the back
- Changes in your own words, the print PDF rebuilt each time
After the cover: translate, resize, audiobook
The cover workshop works on any finished cover from Bookfairy and on covers you upload, including one made in Canva.
- Translate the cover: it looks exactly the same, only in the other language (title, subtitle and back cover text), $4.8040 tokens
- New trim size, paper or page count, spine recalculated: $2.4020 tokens
- Audiobook cover, square 3,000 × 3,000 px: $2.4020 tokens
- Swap or remove the barcode and logo on the back: $1.2010 tokens
- Change an uploaded cover in your own words: $1.2010 tokens per change
Paying for one book
The rest of the book in the same account
- Typesetting with one PDF/X-1a print PDF for KDP and bookstores
- Book description for the back cover and your store page
- A+ Content images for your Amazon page
- Every price on the pricing page, paid per book
Frequently asked
Is Bookfairy free to try?
Yes. You see three cover drafts free, in low resolution with a watermark. Unlocking the finished cover costs $12 once, with front, spine, back and the ebook front. No subscription.
Can Bookfairy make a full cover with spine, back and barcode?
Yes. Bookfairy builds front, spine and back as one print PDF with bleed, calculates the spine from your page count and paper and places the EAN-13 barcode, your publisher logo and the back cover text.
Do I need a subscription for a print-ready book cover?
Not at Bookfairy: you pay $12 once per cover. In Canva, the CMYK colour profile for print PDFs is listed for paid plans; Canva Pro costs $18 a month or $144 a year in the US, plus tax.
Can Bookfairy translate or resize my cover?
Yes. The translated cover looks exactly the same, only in the other language. Translating title, subtitle and back cover text costs $4.80, a new trim size or page count $2.40, an audiobook cover $2.40. It also works with covers you upload.
Can I bring a cover I made in Canva to Bookfairy?
Yes. Upload it to the cover workshop and swap barcode or logo for $1.20, change it in your own words for $1.20 or adjust it to new measurements for $2.40.
Sources (11)
- Canva, Plans and pricing, US view: prices in USD, excluding applicable tax (page as of 1 Nov 2026, checked 8 Nov 2026). canva.com/pricing/
- Canva Help Center, Design from scratch: custom size (accessed 7 Nov 2026). canva.com/help/design-from-scratch/
- Canva Help Center, Use margins, bleed, rulers, and crop marks (accessed 7 Nov 2026). canva.com/help/margins-bleed-crop-marks/
- Canva Help Center, Choose the right download file type (accessed 7 Nov 2026). canva.com/help/download-file-types/
- Canva, Free Online Barcode Generator (accessed 7 Nov 2026). canva.com/barcode-generator/
- Canva, Book cover templates (accessed 7 Nov 2026). canva.com/book-covers/templates/
- Amazon KDP Help, Cover Creator (accessed 7 Nov 2026). kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201113520
- IngramSpark, File Creation Guide (24 Aug 2026), p. 5 (accessed 7 Nov 2026). ingramspark.com/hubfs/downloads/file-creation-g…
- IngramSpark, Pricing & Services Guide (effective 15 Aug 2023, accessed 7 Nov 2026). ingramspark.com/hubfs/downloads/pricing.pdf
- 99designs, Book cover design, US packages, prices exclude sales tax (page as of 27 Oct 2026, checked 8 Nov 2026). 99designs.com/book-cover-design
- Book Brush, Plans and pricing (accessed 7 Nov 2026). bookbrush.com/pricing/