The book cover is the first thing a potential reader sees when they come across your book. The cover will make the reader pick up your book or keep scrolling. Therefore, designing an eye-catching book cover is crucial to the success of your book.
Here is a beginner’s guide to designing a book cover that sells.
1. Think About Your Target Audience
Before you start designing your book cover, you need to know your target audience. Who is your book aimed at? What age group is it for? What genre is it? Understanding your target audience will help you design a cover that appeals to them.
For example, if your book is aimed at children, you may want to use bright colors and bold images that catch their attention. If your book is a thriller, you may want to use darker colors and a more ominous image. Understanding your target audience will help you design a cover that resonates with them.
2. Select an Attractive Image
Your book cover image is the most important element of your cover. It needs to be eye-catching, memorable, and relevant to your book. A good book cover image can make or break your book’s success.
There are two main types of book cover images: photographic and illustrated.
You can choose either depending on the genre, but keep in mind that a photographic cover will require a high-quality image.
You can purchase stock photos or hire a photographer to get an image that fits your book. For illustrated covers, you can hire an illustrator to create a custom image that fits your book’s theme.
3. Maximize the Power of Typography
Typography is the art of arranging words on a page. The typography on your book cover is crucial to its success. It needs to be legible, clear, and attractive to the reader.
When choosing typography for your book cover, use simple fonts that are easy to read. Avoid using more than two different fonts. Use contrasting colours for your text to make it stand out from the background. Keep your title, and author name prominent on the cover.
4. Keep the Design Simple
Simplicity is key when it comes to designing a book cover. Avoid cluttering your cover with too many elements. Keep your cover clean and easy to read. Use negative space to emphasise your image and typography.
Remember, your book cover needs to be easily recognisable in thumbnail size. When designing your cover, ensure it looks good on a small screen. A simple design is more likely to catch the reader’s eye than a cluttered one.
5. Consider the Spine and Back Cover
Don’t forget about the spine and back cover when designing your book cover. The spine is the first thing a reader sees when your book is on a shelf. It needs to be easy to read and recognisable. Use the same typography and image on the spine as on the front cover.
The back cover is where you can add your blurb, author bio, and reviews. Ensure your blurb is engaging and entices the reader to buy your book. The author bio should be short and relevant to the book. Include any reviews or endorsements that your book has received.
6. Edit Very Meticulously
Once you have designed your book cover, it’s time to edit it very meticulously. Check for any spelling or grammar errors. Ensure that your title and author name are spelt correctly. Get feedback from friends and family to see if they understand your cover’s message.
Final Thoughts
Designing a book cover takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. Your book cover is the first impression that readers will have of your book. By investing in a good book cover, you can make your book stand out from the rest and increase sales!
For book cover design services, work with us at Maple Publishers! We offer custom cover illustrations to elevate your book to the next level. Message us today for a free quote!