Ask any book worm and they’ll tell you that holding an actual book in your hands has a different and generally better feeling than holding a Kindle or a tablet. Regardless, books- whether hardbound or not- serve as gateways to adventures, ideas, and can even unlock precious memories. And much like a first impression, a book cover is the first thing people see. If you’re an author or blogger, you want to create a lasting and positive first impression when it comes to your books or eBooks.
To create a book cover of your own, follow these simple steps:
- Browse through dozens of creative designs and ideas for your own book covers.
- Customize it the way you want and download it in your preferred file format.
People often say you can’t judge a book by its cover. But in this case, an eye-catching and creative book cover could be your ticket to reaching greater heights. Let these 50 plus book cover ideas stir your imagination and inspiration!
1. Catchy Title
One of the most important decisions for any author is deciding on the title. You want to make sure it captures your ideas but at the same time, is memorable enough to make people look twice. The toddler story book cover below uses a title that is almost urgent yet alluring enough for kids to remember.
2. Simple Illustration
Aside from text, images are another important aspect to consider. Pictures and imagery make your book cover come to life. The classic book cover example below has checked two boxes: a though-provoking title and a simple yet captivating illustration.
3. Update a Classic
There are hundreds of famous and beloved fairy tales that have been shared for generations. One such example is the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. Don’t be afraid to give your own twist to a classic. Even if that means just giving the book cover a more refreshed, modern look.
4. Sassy Silhouette
Artistic techniques like emphasizing a silhouette creates a richer and deeper dimension to your book cover. The sample book cover below uses playful florals as a background to soften the darkness and seriousness of the silhouette.
5. Know Your Audience
A regular atlas book is bulky, serious, and even intimidating. The example below shows a kids version of the non-fiction book, as it incorporates colorful elements and famous landmarks all rolled into one. If your target audience are children, you need to adjust accordingly.
6. Lead the Way
A common reason why people buy books is because they’re in search of information. The business book cover below explicitly states that it’s a guide for startups. It’s good to share information and tips that might help other people succeed.
7. Spotlight
Images have a way of grabbing all the attention. The more appealing the picture, the more likely it is to pique interest. The cookbook cover below wastes no time in using an appetizing food photo as the primary focal point.
8. Ride the Fame
Famous places and people give additional leverage to any form of promotion. The immediate affinity to a well-known place instantly establishes interest. Take the travel agency eBook cover below. Machu Picchu in Peru is a popular bucket list destination and is sure to tickle the travel buds of any reader.
9. Viva Vintage
There’s a certain appeal to old, antique-like book covers. It’s as if it automatically brings you to another time and era. The vintage style book’s old-fashioned design and aged-effect is sure to stand out on any bookshelf.
10. Universal Themes
If you’re in doubt as to what kind of book it is you want to write, one easy way to get out of that rut is by picking universal human themes. The more people can relate to your ideas, the easier it is to get your message across. The universality of romantic love is a popular choice for books, as the sample cover below suggests.
11. Delve into Fantasy
There’s nothing that captures the imagination quite like the fantasy genre. Of course, there are different types of fantasy; and one example is the Wattpad book cover below. It easily gives off a science fiction vibe that’s hard to ignore.
12. Keep the Faith
The prayer journal book cover below not only establishes immediate familiarity with the silhouette of Jesus and his crown of thorns; but it uses Scripture as part of the book title. The book just calls out to people who identify with Christianity.
13. You Are the Brand
Self-promotion can backfire if it’s not done properly. But sometimes, as in the case of artists or photographers, their work speaks of their brand. The artists themselves are the brand and this gives weight to their credibility as professionals. The art book cover below espouses this perfectly.
14. Match-Making
Make sure your book cover contains a title and image that match and complement each other. This may sound obvious and apparent; but even confusion can be a deterrent for book sales. Fruits and vegetables are often dubbed as ‘glow food’. The recipe book cover below uses a simple yet impactful word then associates it with colorful vegetables.
15. Wordplay
Using clever wordplay and sharp wit is always a good way to grab attention. The finance template below playfully spins the word manifesto to make it an appropriate title for the book’s topic.
16. Build Memories
Books aren’t only made up of text and paragraphs. Photo books, like the example below, can be used to record or document important milestones and moments. Pair the cover photo with elegant fonts and captions for a timeless touch.
17. Always up for Adventure
Most people are naturally curious. Some are always on the lookout for their next big adventure. Explore the action-adventure genre and open your reader’s mind to a world of possibilities. The children’s book cover below is practically inviting the reader to experience a fun-filled adventure.
18. The Devil is in the Details
Images, particularly in architecture and art, have to be unpacked for its beauty to be fully appreciated. The book cover below zeroes in on the finer details, giving it a more interesting touch.
19. It’s All Perspective
If you want to capture the reader’s attention in a unique way, try shifting perspectives and angles. The fiction book cover below doesn’t use just a regular photo of a bridge. It virtually places the person or reader at the foot of a bridge.
20. Feed the Wanderlust
Younger people easily get swayed by artsy and Instagrammable photos. Add a travel element to it, and you’ve got the perfect cocktail for likes and shares. The non-fiction book cover below practically calls out to readers and screams wanderlust. Add an irresistible title and you’re all set.
21. Classic Stereotypes
Not all stereotypes are negative. Italians are known for their exquisite cuisine and mastery in the kitchen. The recipe book cover below distinctly makes the association between pasta and Italian food. It’s not only an appetizing picture, but the cover’s easily identifiable.
22. Very Vogue
For fashion, it’s all about what’s in style and what’s in vogue. So it’s a no-brainer that a fashion collection book cover would feature stylish trends. The fashion template below plays with the color red and various geometric shapes.
23. Food Porn
With smartphones practically everywhere, it’s made it easier for people to refine their photography skills. Take for example the popular hashtag foodporn, it’s made amateur culinary photographers out of regular people. The cookbook cover‘s attraction can be attributed to its lively colors and detailed arrangement.
24. Captivating Collage
A collage is a common technique that’s fairly easy to do. The trick is to pick out the most appealing photos and ensure that it blends into a single, captivating narrative. The photo collage template below compiles different shots of family life yet still adheres to a theme.
25. Bend the Rules
People love lists. Even if some don’t like to admit it, rules and lists give people a sense of control and certainty. A book title that gives a reader the impression that if certain rules are followed eventually leads him to believe it could potentially improve his situation. The business book cover below uses rules in its title as one way to lure the reader into the complex world of capitalism.
26. Figures, figures, figures
Numbers can be intimidating and taxing to look at. The good news is that pie charts, graphs, and any other statistical representations are suitable alternatives that help summarize data. The report template below keeps it simple with a drawing of a bar graph.
27. One for the Team
Business and entrepreneurial book covers are often serious. Add some spunk and spirit to a business-centered book by conveying values such as teamwork. The Wattpad template below portrays teamwork using an image of a set of hands all in it together.
28. Bust-a-Rhyme
Rhymes aren’t only reserved for fancy poetry. Don’t be afraid to play around with words. Who knows? It might even help in name recall. The floral book cover below keeps it quaint with its rhyming title and rustic image.
29. Back to Basics
Minimalism is more than just a style. It’s a lifestyle and movement. Going back to basics offers a clean and fresh canvass that’s versatile and easy on the eyes.
30. The Shape of You
Mixing shapes can add dimension and depth to your book design. The creative book cover below uses a variety of shapes in different colors and sizes.
31. Kid’s Fashion
The retail industry has a whole section devoted to kids. Fashion is not exclusively for runways or elite models. The book cover, as seen below, features stylish yet functional outfits for kids.
32. Capture Imagination
Reading can transport anyone to a whole other dimension and world. The key is allowing your imagination to take flight. The story book cover below aptly expresses this notion with the mind’s unlimited potential for dreams and possibilities.
33. Impressive Interiors
Interior design is an interesting topic for books. Aside from the practical and decorative ideas it can give, the photos are often aesthetically pleasing. The hotel eBook cover below uses a clean-cut albeit partial image of a bedroom that naturally draws the eyes to it.
34. Passion Photography
Whatever the topic of the book, make sure you pick out images that speak passion. This is especially true for photo books. The collection template below uses several vivid pictures that serve as a preview of the photo collection contained inside.
35. Basic Borders
Borderlines help create a more put-together look. The vintage book cover below emphasizes the title by using contrasting colors and delicate borders.
36. Name Drop
Using a real name as a title is one option for photo books. It’s simple and straightforward. The baby template cover below also includes a preview photo, brief description, and date of birth.
37. Love Wins
Some people find it cheesy and cliché, but documenting a couple’s journey together is not just for show. It can also serve as a reminder of the commitment that was made.
38. Light and Breezy
The travel book cover below gives off a light and airy vibe; it’s almost as if you can picture yourself soaking up the sun and sipping cocktails in the Bahamas. Not only is the background photo alluring, the fonts are clean and crisp too.
39. Solution-Driven
If you’re looking to promote your service business or market a product, one tip is to summarize your services. You don’t want to give everything away in your book cover; but just enough solutions and details to hook the reader.
40. Classy, Not Trashy
Fashion can take many forms. It’s fluid and always ever changing. If you’re unsure of what to feature as a book cover, timeless pieces and designs are your best bet. The fashion book cover below works because the simple yet elegant sketch commands just the right amount of attention.
41. Dancing with Decades
Eras, particularly of the twentieth century, have always been typically marked by momentous events, cultural movements, fads, and trends. A book that highlights a particular era is bound to conjure up nostalgic feelings and memories. An example of this is the template below and its ode to 1980s fashion.
42. Ask a Question
A title that’s sure to grab a reader’s attention is a question. Don’t settle for a regular title. Asking a relevant question, especially if it’s phrased in an impactful way, can force an audience to stop and think.
43. Stand Out
It can be a challenge to stand out amid fierce competition in the market. This, however, doesn’t mean you can’t try. The bakery template cover below provides a brief background on what makes their products different from the rest.
44. Light vs Dark
Sharp, contrasting elements can deliver the right effect if used correctly. Note how the novel cover template strategically uses the word summer in its title yet the dark background conveys the total opposite.
45. Mystery and Mayhem
Mysteries, crime thrillers, and suspense stories are popular book genres. The thriller book cover below gives off an eerie vibe that leaves you with more questions than answers.
46. Color and Chaos
Children are fond of bright colors because of the life and energy it brings. A multicolored book cover is sure to attract kids and make early readers out of them.
47. Age-Appropriate
Some books include a disclaimer on their cover. The puzzle book cover below informs the reader that it’s suitable for kids aged seven and up.
48. Rundown
Compilations and lists are both informative and practical. Whether it’s party ideas or self-improvement tips, including a fixed number in your title immediately gives the reader an idea of what the book is all about.
49. Man’s Best Friend
Pets are considered family in many households. The pet care template below encapsulates this perfectly. Keep your cover nice and practical with a candid background and basic color schemes.
50. Autobiography
“Her life is an open book” is a popular saying. Many celebrities and public figures publish their life stories and memoirs. The template below uses a noir effect that makes the red title all the more intense.
General FAQs
How do I make a book cover?
You can have a professional design it for you. If you’re planning to create one yourself, there are dozens of available apps and software that allow you to design your own book cover. The easiest way is to choose from existing templates and customize it to make it your own.
How do I make an interesting book cover?
It would highly depend on your topic. But regardless if it’s fiction or non-fiction, make sure you’ve done enough research and weighed your options. It’s good to have a couple of choices before deciding on a final cover.
What is first page of book called?
It’s called the title page. It normally contains the same content as the book cover (i.e., title, author’s name).
What makes a good book cover?
A good book cover effortlessly combines wit and appeal while using the appropriate design and imagery.
Why are book covers important?
Book covers are what captures the initial attention. It’s the drop off point that will get most readers to eventually read the book.