It’s been said that you can never judge a book by its cover. Of course, the very purpose of a modern book cover is to be judged — and to be judged worthy.
You’ve written a book to self-publish at an e-book store or in print. That’s worth celebrating. But if you want anyone to read your book, you’ll need a professional book cover that draws eyes and attention.
So what’s the secret to a great book cover layout? Uncover the basic principles of book design with this brief article.
- Book Cover Layout and Design
Readers expect every book cover to express some of the same design components. If you decide not to include the essentials, your book will stick out to readers like a sore thumb. And not in a good way.
A cover image, title, and author name will always be found on a book cover. The front cover might also include a subtitle and featured blurb.
But you can’t slap these components on the cover and call it a day. There are smaller design decisions to be made. Ask yourself what kind of emotions you want to convey.
Once you have an overall aesthetic in mind, you need to stick to your vision throughout the book cover process. Let’s dive into this with more detail.
If you need specialized software, you can make your own book cover for free with Adobe Spark.
- Cover Image
The imagery is the defining feature of any book cover. This might be a manipulated stock image, personal photography, or commissioned artwork.
Always decide on a cover image before fussing about other details. Due to its prominence, it will inform the placement and aesthetic of the following cover elements.
Take care to choose an image that is both eye-catching and alludes to the book’s content. A minimalist photo of a broken wedding ring can allude to a rocky relationship. So too can grayscale create an eerie dread found in captivating mysteries and thrillers.
- Typography
High school is over. Times New Roman is not the only font out there — and it never looked the most academic.
Your choice of font will affect the way readers interpret the title and cover imagery. Many of these interpretations are based on decades of historical book cover connotations.
Inspect a dozen published books in the same genre. You’ll notice they all share a trend. Fantasy novels enjoy bold typeface with small flourishes but look to the romance genre and you’ll find curvy and flowing fonts.
By following the standard practices in your genre, you’ll be sure to have better cover typography.
Do some research before choosing a font, as many are not available for commercial use unless you pay a sizable fee or commission.
- Title and Subtitle
The title itself should speak to the heart of your story. Ideally, your title will give a clear indication of the book’s genre and content. Although a vague title can seem enigmatic, it also runs the risk of being too obscure to catch anyone’s attention.
Consider adding a subtitle if you want to include additional information. Extra text can weigh down many book cover designs, but there’s a definite benefit. A subtitle with targeted keywords increases the odds that readers will find your book when they search online.
Anyone Can Make a Professional Book Cover
You’ve spent countless hours writing your book. It’s only natural you want people to see it. A professional book cover layout will help your book stand tall over the competition.
If you’re publishing physical copies, you’ll also need to concern yourself with the back cover. Thankfully, that’s where your writing prowess is more important than design skills. The back cover copy is basically an alluring pitch meant to close a sale.
Looking for more design tips? Check out the rest of our magazine for more information about the creative world.
