As a self-publishing author, you’ve poured your heart into your book, but here’s the truth: readers often judge a book by its cover – and fast. In a crowded online marketplace, a weak cover can bury your book, no matter how good the story inside.
Professional-quality book covers not only grab attention but also signal the genre, set the mood, and convert browsers into buyers. In this post, we’ll show you how a well-designed cover makes your book stand out and get the recognition it deserves.
Title and Author Name
Your book’s title should be prominent and easily readable, as it tells potential readers what the book is called. The font choice can convey a lot about the genre of the book — for instance, a romance novel might use a flowing script, while a thriller might opt for a bold, sharp font.
Similarly, the author’s name should also be included and should be legible without overpowering the title. Whether you choose to have the author’s name at the top, bottom, or centre, it should complement the title visually. This is especially important for established authors, as their name alone can often attract readers.
While both essential, the title and author name need different treatment depending on your marketing position. For debut authors, prioritise a larger, more prominent title. If you’re building a series or author brand, consider giving your name equal or greater prominence to build recognition. For example, look at the UK Kindle top 100 in your genre – notice how bestselling authors like Richard Osman position their names relative to their titles.
Imagery
Imagery plays a crucial role in how to design a front cover for a book. It can help to visually summarise the story or theme of the book, providing visual cues to the reader. This could be a photograph, illustration, or graphic design element that resonates with the narrative or character dynamics.
UK readers have specific visual expectations for different genres. For example, psychological thrillers often feature isolated houses or silhouetted figures, while contemporary women’s fiction frequently uses illustrated designs with hand lettering.
Consider whether stock images will work for your cover. While cost-effective, popular stock images may appear on multiple book covers. Some authors invest in custom photography or illustration to ensure uniqueness. There are also AI-generated image options, though these should be used carefully and are best used by trained designers that are used to working with AI.
Does the cover work at small sizes?
On Amazon’s thumbnail-sized listings, your imagery needs to work at multiple sizes: small (thumbnail size in listings), medium (Amazon product listings), and large (eg poster) sizes.
Check that your cover’s title and author name, in particular, is legible at small sizes. Test your cover design at thumbnail size (60×90 pixels) – if it’s not instantly clear and appealing at this size, online browsers will scroll past it
Colour Palette
The colour palette is another essential feature of a book cover. Colours evoke emotions and can greatly influence how a reader perceives the book before reading a single word. For instance, dark and moody hues might be perfect for a horror story, while bright and cheerful colours can attract readers to a light-hearted comedy.
Consider using a limited colour palette to maintain cohesion across the cover design. A harmonious selection of colours can significantly enhance the professional look of the cover and make it more eye-catching.
Also, consider whether you wish your cover to stylistically be harmonious with other popular titles in your book’s genre, or would you prefer to stand out using a different style or colour?
But be careful – many self-published books in specific genres overuse the same colour schemes. Study the bestsellers in your category, but look for ways to stand out while still signalling your genre.
Remember that print-on-demand covers often appear slightly darker than on screen. When using services like Amazon KDP, consider ordering a proof copy to check your colour choices in print.
Typography
Typography mistakes are one of the most common giveaways of self-published books. The choice of typography can affect readability, aesthetic appeal, and even genre perception. Different fonts have unique personalities – serif fonts can feel more traditional and authoritative, while sans-serif fonts are often viewed as modern and clean.
Experimenting with font size, style, and placement can help you convey the book’s tone and theme effectively. Additionally, pay close attention to the spacing between letters and lines, as this can influence legibility.
Avoid using more than two fonts on your cover. If you’re not sure about font pairing, study the covers of recent bestsellers from major publishers in your genre, and consider working with a professional book cover designer.
Font licensing is crucial – ensure you have commercial rights for your chosen fonts.
Tagline or Blurb
Including a tagline or a short blurb on the front cover can provide readers with a succinct summary of the book’s premise or a hook to catch their interest. A catchy tagline can entice potential readers and give them insight into what the book is about without giving too much away.
Or perhaps you have a glowing, short testimonial or review from a well-known person relevant to your book’s subject matter?
However, be careful not to clutter the cover. Make sure the tagline or blurb has a font size that allows it to be readable but does not distract from the title or overarching design.
Also, taglines are not essential so consider whether you really need one on the front cover.
Series Information
If your book is part of a series, this should be indicated on the front cover. Readers often appreciate knowing that what they are reading is part of a larger narrative. Incorporate series information by including words like “Book One” or “A Series” to set the context.
For series books, consider using a series logo or distinctive design element that remains consistent across all books while allowing each cover to have its own identity. This can help with branding as well, as a consistent design across a series can create a visually appealing collection of books that readers will be drawn to.
Budget Considerations
When planning your cover design, there are options to suit different budgets and needs. Pre-made, off-the-shelf covers offer a cost-effective solution for authors starting out. These covers are designed once and sold to a single author, offering professional quality at a lower price point. However, they may not be customised to your specific vision and can appear generic or amateur.
Mid-range options include customised pre-made covers, where designers adapt an existing design to your specifications, changing colours, fonts, and some elements to better suit your book.
At the higher end, custom design services create unique covers tailored precisely to your book. While these typically start from £500, they offer complete originality and can be especially valuable when you have a specific vision that requires bespoke imagery.
Consider your overall publishing budget, your book’s genre, and your marketing strategy when choosing between these options. Some genres, like literary fiction or high-end non-fiction, may benefit more from custom design investment than others. Also consider whether you’re planning a series – a professional design that can be adapted across multiple books might be worth the initial investment.
Testing Your Cover
Before finalising your design:
- Test it at thumbnail size.
- View it in black and white (this is how it will appear on some ebook readers, such as Kindle Paperwhite).
- Ask readers in your genre for feedback.
- Check how it looks next to bestsellers in your category.
- Ensure it follows current market trends without blending in completely.
- Join UK author groups on Facebook or Goodreads to get feedback from British readers in your genre.
- Test your cover on different devices – what looks good on your computer might appear differently on phones or tablets, where many readers browse.
Final Thoughts
When designing a front cover for a book, you have seconds to make the right impression. It’s essential to balance visual appeal with a meaningful representation of your content.
Key elements like the title, imagery, colour palette, typography, tagline, and series information are crucial for creating a cover that stands out and conveys your story’s essence. A thoughtful design captures attention, draws readers in to learn more, and communicates the heart of your literary work.
Research your specific sub-genre on Amazon UK. Romance readers in Britain might have different expectations from US readers.
Remember: your cover needs to work harder than ever in today’s digital marketplace. It must:
- Stand out in crowded online listings
- Look professional at both thumbnail and full size
- Clearly signal your genre
- Support your author branding
- Convert browsers into readers
Whether you work with a professional designer or create your cover yourself, understanding these principles will help you create a cover that competes effectively in today’s market.
The front cover is usually your book’s first contact with the reader – make it count.
Is your book cover strong enough to convert browsers into buyers?
All book cover designs included this article were designed by us, at UK Book Publishing. Our professional book cover designers specialise in helping authors create professional, eye-catching cover designs that make a lasting first impression. Contact us to arrange a consultation.