I use Canva to do my final book covers. Honestly, I don't see what a lot of these negative reviews are complaining about--as far as the free version of my account.I have been using Canva for a year or two. Frankly, my book cover designs are a big improvement over covers I made with Amazon KDP's Art Painter, which makes my covers look like textbooks.Most of the templates I end up using for my books are made by Canva's in-house staff, but I also have the option to use free or paid templates by artists. I've been using the free ones and I credit the artist in my About The Cover section.I love the fact that artists can post their work on this site and wish I could support them by paying. What saves me is that I can continue using the free version of the site to do my work, and thank you to all the artists putting your work up free! Most of us authors aren't making a whole lot of money. I've made $50 since 2009 on Kindle Direct Publishing, and that's the average most of my peers make.Because of Canva having so many features on the free version, I can have nice book covers. When I bring my graphics into Canva, I already have them cropped and color-adjusted. All I have to do is choose a book cover template I like, drag my design in and make it the background, type in my title and name, add my logo, adjust the print sizes, and download! It only takes a few minutes. Canva also has stock photos available so I can use them in my design. The layers make it easy to work with, though I usually have trouble with my logo wanting to replace my background.I think at least one negative reviewer expects Canva to be a GIMP or Photoshop replacement. Maybe at the subscription rates, it is. But not on the free version.As for subscription rates going up, I really hope Canva isn't going to stop having a free version, for indie authors like me and others who run small businesses. I am a woman and disabled, so I really appreciate Canva for giving us such a nice software with so many functions, on the free account.I do hope they'll consider backing some of those prices down, for people having to pay more right now.
