How to Create a Book Cover?

Although the name itself is self-explanatory, a Book Cover is the first covering of a book. It can be seen in the front part of the book. It contains the book title and book artwork. Book covers may sometimes contain textures either debossed or embossed for added effect. For hardbound books, printable book covers are removable.

Expectations arise from the cover of the book. Much like people initially judge others by their looks, such as the same in books. A book’s cover represents its face, so if the book cover looks sloppy and amateur, they will expect the same from its contents. With such low expectations, the book probably won’t sell as much. Book covers today have become their own business and marketing tool. The book cover needs to draw attention, set the tone of the story, and engage readers on a personal level to sell copies. That’s a lot of pressure to expect at face value.

They say not to judge a book by its cover, but the fact remains that many do so, especially now that there are budding writers in every corner. With hundreds of titles getting published every year through self-publishing authors plus millions of books to choose from in different languages, a memorable and beautiful book cover will be a deciding factor for buyers.

If you want to make a creative book cover that will surely attract potential buyers, read through our tips below.

1. Wear the Shoes of Your Reader

Photo book covers are an advertising tool, and when we pertain to an advertising tool, the audience should be our priority. You have to put yourself in the shoes of your audience. See what they want to see and feel and what they want to feel. Avoid placing your preferences first because you might not be selling copies as you expect.

2. Title Vs. Cover

Like partners in crime, the title and the artwork should compensate for each other's incapacity. If your book title is not long enough to capture your audience's interest, then work more on the artwork and vice versa. This should go well together, and if the book title and artwork do not need compensating, then much better. To entice bookworms to purchase your books, you may provide a book voucher.

3. Strike a Chord

Book covers should make you feel something. Maybe you have experienced walking through a bookstore without a specific book in mind, but you ended up buying because that book struck a chord in you. You may have noticed that a book's theme is evident in the book cover. Design it in a way that will trigger an emotional reaction in your audience.

4. Be Permissive

Book authors cannot be book cover designers at the same time (but this may be untrue to some). They will have to work with a designer to create an aesthetic book artwork for them. Before designing, you might have an ideal book design in mind. Sometimes, your idea and the designer's idea won't be parallel. You have to let the designer take the wheel and astonish you with the result.

5. Use the Book Cover

Once done, you are now ready to use the modern book cover. Maybe you have noticed that the book covers---especially classic novels, change over time. Studies show that 51% of revamped book covers generate more income compared to the original covers. As an author, don't be afraid to redo your simple book covers in the future because it might bring in more profit than usual.

General FAQs

  • How to Make Book Covers Attractive?

    • Use hooking words and white space,
    • Use high-quality and eye-catching graphics,
    • Add fewer words,
    • Set the tone in which the message would be conveyed,
    • You can also use 3D covers,
    • Give insight into the narrative with designs and patterns,
    • Play with color combinations, etc. 

  • What are the Components of a Book cover?

    A book cover allows you the space to represent and communicate different embedded ideas from inside the book. The main components required for making a book cover are a title, author’s name, associated graphics, a simple description of the book, designs, patterns, and colors. 

  • What is the Purpose of a Book Cover?

    A book cover gives way to imagination. It attracts the audience's attention and drives them with curiosity to know more about it. A cover helps to represent the content added inside the book. In short, a cover gives the spectator an idea about what is inside a text.

  • What are the Types of Book Covers?

    • Paperback: It is a colorful softcover.
    • Hardcover Case wrap: This colorful cover contains laminated print with glossy touch. 
    • Hardcover Dust Jacket: These covers are lined with black fabric and are wrapped with colorful paper covers.

  • Why are Graphics Important on a Book Cover?

    Compelling images on a book cover can tell the audience your entire story without turning a single page. Covers work as a teaser to your book; thus, a wise selection on significant graphics is essential to attract the audience's attention.