Although we all say don’t judge a book by its cover, the truth is we all judge a book by its cover. This is obvious because it is the first potential thing about the book that readers interact with, and this interaction can either make or break the decision to buy and read a certain book.
A captivating book cover tells readers that it is professionally made and worth their time and money whereas a random cover without any concept draws no attention of the readers even if the story is amazing. Creating a custom book cover design is both an art and a science. It is about balancing creativity with market appeal by combining design and psychology so readers instantly connect with your story.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through important tips and tricks for designing a standout book cover that truly showcases your work.
Let’s make your custom book cover design that captures the magic of your story.
Steps to make a custom book cover
1. Look for book cover inspiration
Whether you are designing the book cover yourself or working with a designer, the first step is to research and get inspiration for your cover. The best way is to explore the best sellers in your genre because your cover should look unique but must fit in naturally with other book covers in the genre. That’s why analyze their layouts, fonts, color schemes, images, and other relatable elements. This is because these design elements have been working well to attract readers of that particular genre and boost sales.
Non-fiction covers generally appeal to readers in a logical sense, like they should be interesting or funny, while fiction cover content focuses on emotions. Storybooks can use images and colors that convey the mood of the story to invite readers into their world.
Once you understand what works for your genre, start brainstorming ideas that reflect the unique feel of your book. Think about the topics covered and what kind of readers will enjoy this story. Your cover page should give potential readers a brief glimpse of the book.
Always be honest in the process don’t attract readers with images or elements that don’t match with the theme of the story. For example, if your book doesn’t have any kind of connection with dragons, then don’t include them on the book cover to attract readers. This is because it’ll quickly lead to disappointment among your readers; they’ll question your credibility, give negative reviews, and ultimately affect your career and book sales. The key is to highlight the most exciting and genuine elements of your book and let them attract readers naturally.
2. Choose your book designer
If you’re not going for DIY, then choose a book designer. Although professional book cover designers can be a bit costly, their expertise in creating custom book cover designs that are both eye-catching and genre-appropriate can be a worthy investment. They ask for your inspiration and a synopsis of your book to create a book cover that truly reflects your story.
Illuminations Graphics specializes in full book design services that combine artistic creativity with a strategic approach. They know how important it is to stand out in the self-publishing world. They work closely with authors to understand their stories, themes, and audience then create a design that encourages readers to stop, look, and dive deeper into your work.
3. Select your cover dimensions
Before you start designing your book cover, you need to select your book’s cover dimensions to meet each market’s requirements. Keep in mind that each market has unique requirements and recommendations for book cover dimensions. If you are unsure contact a professional designer to understand what works for you.
4. Find images for book cover
Choosing the right images for your cover is very difficult. It should deliver curiosity, excitement, suspense, or intrigue without being too overcrowded or complex. Mostly, simple and minimalistic images suit memoirs; bright and colorful go with children’s books, and dark and mysterious are for horror and fantasy.
Following are the two types of images used in book covers:
Illustrations
Ideal for giving your cover a unique and professional look. Designers often create custom illustrations using graphic designing software to perfectly convey the mood of the book. Even though it costs more, if you are willing to invest, custom illustrations can make a huge impact by signaling readers that you are serious about your book.
Photographs
They are extremely usable, especially for non-fiction books. Biography can use early-stage and later-stage photographs of the subject and Non-fiction books can use the author’s picture to establish credibility. Stock photos are also a good and affordable resource. Many designers can creatively edit these images to fit the style of the book.
Always work on high-resolution images to ensure the cover gets a polished look, and make sure you have copyright permission to be legally protected.
5. Pick your colors
The 2-3 cover colors you pick should help create the mood and message you’re trying to send. Complimentary colors (across from each other on the color wheel) tend to work well together, as do analogous colors (next to each other on the color wheel) of combined dark and light tints.
Many covers feature a blue/orange color palette or a black/white/red one because these colors work well together. But it’s not necessary to follow these themes. Just use colors that suit well with each other and the theme of the book.
6. Pick your font
Some authors only focus on the cover image, but the typography and title layout should not be overlooked. Picking a font for your cover is essential for conveying a clear message, invoking an emotion, and reinforcing the genre.
You should treat your title like a logo. Choose a font that stands out in people’s memories. Most designers recommended that if you use a “fancy” font for your title, use a simple font for the author’s name and vice versa.
Furthermore, if you’re an author of a book series, choose some element of your book covers to keep the same. This cohesive design can be a theme, image, or font to strengthen your branding as an author.
7. Test your custom book cover design
Many authors skip this crucial step but testing is very important. Testing can help you get the perfect look that viewers will see and evaluate whether it will capture attention or not.
Start by gathering feedback. You can show some of your design options to friends and family or even share them on social media to see which one gets the best response. But don’t stop there. Try asking someone knowledgeable in the industry, such as your local bookstore or librarian. They look at a lot of books and often know what readers like.
You can also do a quick online test. Check how your cover looks at a small size, like the thumbnail size on Amazon. Since many people browse books online, your cover needs to stand out even when it’s tiny. One common mistake is when the title blends too much with the background or is hard to read at a smaller size.
Conclusion
Making a custom book cover is such an exciting part of bringing your book to life! Whether you decide to try your hand at designing or want something truly unique and professional, remember that your cover is your book’s first impression. If you’re ready to take it to the next level, reach out to Illuminations Graphics. We’d love to help you design a cover that captures the heart of your story and catches readers’ eyes.