Self Publishing vs Traditional Publishing: Key Differences Explained
November 12, 2025
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Staring at a blank screen, thinking about how to make sure your book cover stands out in the plethora of books available online? After spending countless hours on your manuscript, it is now time to take on the truly difficult task of designing your book cover. This is what will make your book shine, even though you aren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover- but let’s be honest, a good book cover is what attracts us the most to begin with.
This article will walk you through each and every step of the process, helping you create the perfect book cover that not only looks good but also truly depicts what your book is about. Setting the readers off to a great start. So, read on and learn how to give your book the cover it deserves.
Your book cover is your strongest marketing tool, and it has a three-second critical window. It is more than a decoration item; its main role is to be a silent salesperson of your book. An effective professional book cover must accomplish three essential tasks.
First, it should immediately capture the attention of a reader scrolling past thousands of choices in an overcrowded online marketplace. Second, it has to clearly convey the genre of your book and the general tone, as a romance novel should look quite different from a horror novel. This is a visual communication that controls the expectations of the readers.
Finally, your cover must possess an appeal of high-level professionalism, because a cover not done professionally may also give the impression that the story within it is not a well-written story. The significance of this is confirmed by industry data, which shows that your cover is your key ambassador.
Most readers will discover new books by browsing online retailers, implying that your small thumbnail picture will be the sole and first point of contact. Moreover, a good cover affects their ultimate purchase decision, even after they have read a favorable review.
These simple rules for book covers should be learned before you begin designing. Every successful professional book cover is based on them.
Rule 1: Clarity: The best covers are simple. Avoid too many details. Use one strong focal point. Even a plain design can be read when the cover is small. A hectic composition is a messy mush.
Rule 2: Genre Conventions: Readers seek familiar signs. Typical fonts and vintage images are often used in historical fiction books. A science fiction book is written in modern fonts and features futuristic scenes. These are genre cues that can help your target reader locate your book.
Rule 3: Typography: The font type is crucial. The use of a fancy script font implies a romance novel. The use of a chipped font can imply a thriller. Your font should complement the tone and atmosphere of your book.
Rule 4: Less is Almost Always More: Utilize Negative Space. This is the space around your design. It makes your cover look modern and professional. It also encourages the reader to focus on the significant sections.
This is the most valuable piece of advice. You have to design the little picture first. Your cover will resemble a thumbnail on a website to most readers.
Put your cover to the test by making it tiny. Can you still read the title? Is the author’s name clear? Is the picture still good? When the answer is no, you have to simplify your design. This is what makes a great book cover online.
An inappropriate book cover design, size, or arrangement can make your book look like an amateur writer has written it. You need to do things technically right the first time. This is one of the major tasks when learning how to make a professional book cover.
For printed books, a complete wrap cover is required. It is a file that contains the front, spine, and back. Its size is determined by two factors: your book trim size and page count.
The last size of your printed book is the trim size. Common trim sizes are 5″ x 8″, 5.5″ x 8.5″, and 6″ x 9″. You choose this size first.
Bleed is an additional picture that extends outside the page of your book. This additional element is removed after printing. You must bleed to make color all the way to the edge. Normal bleed is 0.125 inches on all sides.
The spine is the part of the book that holds the pages together. It varies in width depending on the page number of your book and the kind of paper you use. An online calculator can be found on your printer, such as Amazon KDP, to find the exact measurement.
The full wrap refers to the entire flat cover that you have to design. Its total width may be computed by two times the trim width + the spine width + two times the bleed formula. This provides you with the full canvas size to work with.
The recommended or safe ebook size is 2,560 in width and 1,600 pixels in height. Always print in CMYK color mode, as it is the standard color mode used by printers. In eBooks, RGB color mode should be used, as that is what computer and phone screens support.
These are the steps that you can follow to know how to make a professional book cover.
Do not begin without first seeing. Visit the bestseller list of your genre on Amazon. Look at the top 10 covers. What colors do they use? Which fonts? What images? Save images and create a mood board. This helps you understand the appearance of successful books in your genre.
Choose the one big idea of your cover. Is it a character? A symbol? A place? Your idea must be compelling and simple.
Search for your key image on stock photo platforms. Select a fine/high-quality high-resolution image. Find pictures with blank areas to place your title text.
This is the point where good covers turn into great.
Hierarchy: The largest and most significant text should be your title. Your author name is next. Demonstrate this order with the use of size and boldness.
Font Pairing: There should be one interesting font in the title. Use an easy-to-read font. Do not use too many fonts.
Placement and Alignment: Neat up your text. Line up your text by using software guides. Do not overstretch a font.
Above all, ensure that your text color is easily noticeable in the background because it is a key element in creating a beautiful book cover.
Do not skip this step.
You can make a brilliant cover. However, in some cases, hiring a professional book design service is the appropriate approach. An excellent designer can create personalised art and possess superior abilities.
You should hire a pro if:
When you hire a designer, apply what you have read here. Share your research and ideas with them. A clear brief helps them provide you with a good cover.
Your book cover is the major investment in your success, and it is a critical selling point to readers. In these steps, you now understand how to make a professional book cover that not only catches the eye instantly, but also communicates genre and quality.
You can work with professionals in case you desire a cover that best reflects the bestseller in your book. They will assist you in creating a valuable first impression and present your story in the best way possible.
Your book cover is your primary marketing vehicle, since it has only a few seconds to attentively capture a reader online.
For eBooks, use a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. For print, the size will be based on your trim size and the number of pages in the book.
The trim size refers to the final height and width of your printed book, after the printer has trimmed it.
This is when you make your cover as small as possible to see whether it is clear and readable.
A professional designer is preferred over a competitive genre, and that depends on your budget and ability.
They are available on both paid websites, such as Shutterstock and iStock, as well as on free websites, including Unsplash and Pexels.
A mood board is a collection of images and ideas that will help you establish the visual style for your cover.
During the editing part, you need to start early to have ample time to get it right.
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