How to Make Kindle Screensavers

Amazon's Kindle e-reader is loaded with screensavers that appear on the screen when the device is shut off. Because Amazon made the Kindle's source code available for developers, altered versions of the firmware allow Kindle owners to load their own screensavers onto the device. Though some pre-made Kindle screensavers are available online for download, you can make your own using any photograph and basic graphics-editing software.

Instructions

1. Download and install a graphics-editing program that allows you to change a photograph to grayscale, such as Gimp (gimp.com), Photoshop (adobe.com) or Paint.net (paint.net). Restart your computer when installation is finished if prompted.

2. Launch the graphics-editing program. Open the photograph you want to turn into a Kindle screensaver by pressing "Ctrl" and "O" at the same time and selecting the photograph in the window that appears.

3. Resize the image to 600-by-800 pixels for the regular Kindle, or to 824-by-1200 for the Kindle DX. Though the specific menus vary depending on the software you use, many graphics-editing programs list the image size editor within the "Edit" menu. Check the box that says "Maintain Aspect Ratio," then change the image's width to 600 for the regular Kindle or to 824 for the Kindle DX; this automatically adjusts the height while maintaining the aspect ratio. Change the canvas size if the image is smaller than the Kindle's resolution by selecting "Canvas Size" instead of "Image Size"; enter your Kindle's resolution, then click "OK."

4. Convert the image to 8-bit grayscale. Most graphics-editing programs list color options under "Mode" within the "Edit" menu. Select "8-bit" and grayscale, then click "Save" to apply the changes. Close the software when finished.

References

• Amazon: Kindle Development Kit