They say, "Don't judge a book by its cover," but in the fiercely
competitive world of literature, an alluring book cover can be the
make-or-break factor that entices potential readers to delve into its
pages. As authors and publishers alike strive to make their literary
works stand out amidst the vast ocean of titles, the art of designing a
book cover has become an essential skill worthy of admiration and
awe.
In this age of digital dominance and ever-evolving marketing strategies,
a captivating book cover is not just a piece of art; it's a powerful
marketing tool that must not be underestimated. Beyond showcasing a
stunning visual, a well-crafted book cover
design communicates a story, sets the tone, and conveys the
essence of the written masterpiece within. To achieve this delicate
balance of creativity and purpose, authors and designers must journey to
understand the intricacies of designing a book cover that truly stands
out. The following blog layout 6 essential steps that could make
designing a book cover easier.
Step 1 – Get On The Creative Hat
You may or may not have read any books in these years, but you might feel attracted to a book cover design or its title. Gather it and analyze it! You must note the odds and the elements that seem fascinating to your eyes and persuade you to fall for it. Frequently visit the book outlets and scrutinize different book cover designs. It is also suggested to prepare a mood board to organize the ideas.
Step 2 – Consider your Book Genre
In the fascinating world of book cover design, it's not enough to create an
aesthetically pleasing masterpiece; you must also decipher the code that
gets right to your readers' emotional cores. And here is where genre
indicators come in, providing those subtle yet significant visual clues that
might help your book cover connect with the proper readers.
Imagine the terrifying attraction of a dark home with a lighted window
drenched in enticing blues and yellows, luring mystery fans into an exciting
crime thriller. Alternatively, an illustrated cover may provide a homely
touch, luring readers of romantic novels and cosy mysteries into a warm and
inviting setting. Finally, the paranormal fantasy genre has believable
people in exotic settings and encourages readers to go on
out-of-the-ordinary journeys.
Genre indications are like mapposts for cover art, but you must find a
middle ground between being derivative and being on trend. In the same way
that standing out too much might scare off readers, blending in too much
could cause your work to be overlooked. The trick is to fill your cover with
familiar and innovative elements, producing a magnetic attraction that
distinguishes your book from the others.
However, don't worry! It is recommended to seek the advice of a professional
designer if you are lost in the maze of current book cover styles. If you
hire them, they will use their experience to give form to your thoughts and
realize your vision for the cover, making it more likely that your work will
be seen in a sea of competitors.
Step 3 – Seek a Professional Cover Designer
DIY book covers are simpler than ever in this era of computers and online
resources. The accessibility of cover design tools like Canva and Adobe
Express encourages do-it-yourself efforts. Crafting a world-class book cover
design that competes in the market requires a professional designer's touch,
just as 3D-printing a pacemaker without medical competence is imprudent.
Here is the book "Island
of Gold" with its gorgeous jacket created by "Patrick Knowles.". It is
a masterwork that captures the story's spirit while being recognizable in
its genre. If you want your book to have lasting influence, you'll need to
reach this level of proficiency.
Are there statistically significant increases in clicks and sales from
professionally designed book covers? When we tested this, we found that it
increased the marketability of books by an average of 35%.
While sites like Fiverr and Upwork may provide freelance designers and
illustrators access, Reedsy is your best bet for finding experts who have
worked in the publishing industry for a decade or more.
If you want to employ a designer, looking at their previous work is
important. Choose experts whose work you'd be happy to have on your cover,
with an eye towards those already known about your genre. After you've
narrowed down your list of possible applicants, it's time to contact them.
Work with them to define the project's scope, schedule, and outcomes.
Step 4 – Define your vision to the designer
Be ready with the checklist
✅ Identify your Target market
Determine your book's genre and research your intended readers' demographics
before proceeding. This data will serve as the basis for a cover that
connects with your readers, whether you're trying to attract adult ladies
(aged 25–45) or young adults (aged 13–18).
✅ Reveal Your Book's Heart and Soul
Give the designer a persuasive summary of your book. Provide a sneak peek
into the meat of your work by summarising its key points and themes. The
designer won't have to read the whole book if they have this summary to get
the necessary information.
✅ Illuminate your Main Characters
Give the designer some history on the major characters and emphasize their
most important exterior and interior characteristics. Thanks to your
detailed descriptions, the designer may develop something representing your
characters.
✅ Embrace the Elements
Indicate the book's size, title, tagline, reviews, and any other pertinent
information you feel should appear on the cover. Instruct the designer how
you'd want the cover to look so they may create something that fits your
needs.
✅ Time-Saving Strategies
To expedite your experience on Reedsy's
marketplace, you may send your brief to up to five designers
simultaneously. You may get many prices depending on characteristics like
expertise, design complexity, and rounds of revisions, and you save time in
the process.
Once you send in your design brief, you'll get estimates that are made just
for your project. The final price will depend on factors like the designer's
level of experience and the complexity of the design, but you'll have a book
cover that does justice to your literary masterpiece.
Step 5 – Experiment and experiment
As your book cover takes shape, the magic begins as the designer delves into
the world of typefaces and colour schemes. From typography to layout, the
possibilities are endless, and this stage is all about experimenting with
different concepts to find the perfect fit. The designer will present you
with several cover versions, allowing you to fine-tune and personalize the
design to your liking.
Let's explore an example to see how this creative process unfolds. Below,
you'll find two captivating iterations of the chosen concept. One features a
slight variation in the color palette while maintaining the essence of the
plant leaves and scarf detail. The other adopts a minimalist design, with a
compass between two Devil's Club branches, showcasing vintage tones.
Ultimately, the author chose a fusion of her favourite elements: a vintage
colour scheme, an iconic piece of her uniform, and the earthy charm of the
Devil's Club leaves. The final design was completed with a slightly rounded
font type and a well-matched colour combination.
Settling on the ultimate design may take some revisions, but the result is a
breathtaking cover that brings your book to life in ways you never
imagined.
Now, let's talk about licensing images. Most book cover designs incorporate
licensed images from reputable sources like Getty Images,
iStock, and Shutterstock. Designers
manipulate these images, adding or removing elements to craft unique works
of art. If your cover includes licensed images, this is the stage where
you'll need to purchase the rights to use them. Designers usually work with
watermarked and low-resolution images during the initial concept phase until
you approve the final version.
💡 Pro tip: Negotiate and confirm the license terms and limits for the
images. If possible, consider purchasing the license to retain full
rights for using the images in your published work.
As you approach the finish line, your book cover is now a captivating
masterpiece ready to conquer the publishing world. With the final touches
applied and the print-ready cover files prepared, your literary creation is
set to impact readers far and wide. Embrace the journey of book cover
design, for it can unveil your story's soul with every stroke of
artistry.
Step 6 – Some final touches to the printing success
Your book cover is more than just a front facade; it's a masterpiece that
demands attention from every angle. As you near the final stages of the
design process, true artistry comes to light as the designer crafts the back
cover, spine, and possibly flaps to fit your intended print formats
perfectly.
Refining the Details
Before your cover is ready to dazzle the world, there are a few crucial
decisions. You might want to include a compelling one-liner review from
another author or an authoritative profile on the front or back cover. Don't
forget to leave space for essential elements like a captivating blurb,
author bio, logo, and room for the ISBN
barcode.
Your designer is an invaluable resource at this stage, guiding you with
expert advice on back cover design and ensuring every aspect of your cover
aligns with your vision. With all corners squared away, it's time to
finalize the files for upload and print.
Getting the Perfect Dimensions
Ensuring your cover fits flawlessly in its intended format is vital, whether
it's an offset print, print-on-demand, or digital-only release.
Ebooks:
For ebooks, the standard front
cover size on KDP is 1600 x 2560px, with other retailers having
their specifications. Keep your ebook covers in PNG or JPEG format, ensuring
minimal compression to maintain high-quality visuals.
Print Books:
Publishing a physical edition requires attention to the specifications of
the back cover, spine, and flap (for hardcovers). The spine can be
particularly tricky, depending on format, binding type, paper stock, and
page count.
Fortunately, major digital and print providers offer tools to calculate book
cover dimensions, generate templates for designers or provide specifications
for pixel-perfect results.
Time to Export
With your cover dimensions checked and verified, your designer will provide
you with print-ready PDF files for upload to your chosen print or
distribution service.
Concluding Thoughts:
A fascinating book cover is essential in today's highly competitive publishing industry since it is the first thing readers see and will ultimately be remembered. It's not simply a pretty face; it's a promotional tool that effectively communicates the core ideas of your literary masterwork. The successful book covers result from a combination of the designer's imagination, knowledge of the book's genre, and professional design skills. Through trial and error, you may create a cover that makes readers feel something, conveys a tale, and encourages them to dive into an extraordinary experience. Accept the power of book cover design, and your work will stand out in the huge literary world.
