COVER CHECK: WHAT TO REVIEW BEFORE APPROVING YOUR COVER ART
Before you give the green light on a design, it’s worth taking a few extra minutes to double-check the details. The goal? Catch anything that might need fixing before it’s too late (because trust me, things can slip through!).
A stunning book cover is one of the most powerful tools to draw readers in—it sets the tone for your book and makes a lasting impression. It's definitely worth spending some time to review all the details of your cover and text before your designer hands off the final files. I know this is obvious, but a once-over isn’t always enough to catch the mistakes that can create big problems later.
Here are a few things that you should keep an eye out for when reviewing your proofs:
1. Name Spelling
This might seem straightforward but trust me—mistakes happen! I've worked with an author I absolutely adore, but for some reason, I kept messing up the spelling of his name on a bunch of book covers in his series. Luckily, he was incredibly patient and always spotted the mistake before it went to print. Eventually... I got it right on the first try, and it felt like a personal victory! Moral of the story: triple-check every name before you call it a day.
2. Title Accuracy
Titles can be tricky, especially when punctuation comes into play. I once made a spelling mistake on a client’s book cover, and it initially went unnoticed. When she pointed it out, it was glaringly obvious—and we fixed it right away, of course! The takeaway? Double-check every word (and yes, every apostrophe). You never know where a tiny error might be hiding. 🙃
3. Back Cover Copy
Don’t forget to review the back cover text. Make sure it’s free of typos, the spacing looks clean, and everything is easy to read. It’s not just about what you say—it’s how it’s presented. A cluttered or awkward layout can take away from the professional vibe you’re going for.
4. Spine Design
The spine might seem like a minor detail, but it’s super important, especially for print books. Double-check that the text is centered and any design elements are aligned properly. This is also a great time to make sure the title and author name are spelled correctly (yes, again!).
5. Social Media Links
If your cover includes any social media handles or web links, take a minute to confirm they’re formatted correctly. Make sure all the hyphens, spaces, numbers, and slashes are exactly right—it’s easy to overlook these little details.
6. Final Dimensions and Specs
For print covers, check that the dimensions match your publisher's requirements. This includes trim size, bleed, and resolution. A beautiful cover design means little if it isn’t prepared to meet the printing requirements.
7. Cover Art
By this point in the process, you should have already seen the cover art a million times, but still, it's important to check it again. The design should be clear, with well-balanced colors, smooth transitions, and no blending issues or visible edges. You also want to be certain this cover art is exactly what you have approved, and all previous corrections have been incorporated in the final artwork.
Listen, we all miss things here and there—it's part of the process! Whether it’s a typo or a formatting glitch, these things can easily be missed during the excitement of finalizing a cover. That’s why it’s so important to review everything carefully before hitting publish. Spending a little extra time now can save you from awkward corrections or expensive reprints later.
Approving your cover art isn’t just about loving the design—it’s about making sure all the details are spot-on. With so many moving parts, it’s easy to miss something small but important. To make things easier, I’ve created a free approval checklist you can download below. It’ll help you tick off every box with confidence!
Free Download:
