TIPS FOR SELECTING THE PERFECT PRE-MADE BOOK COVER
Choosing the right book cover can make a world of difference in attracting readers. Here are a few tips to help you select the perfect pre-made book cover.
Just like a custom cover, a well-designed pre-made cover should convey the essence of your book and set the tone for what readers can expect. Keep in mind that while it's easy to choose something pretty or that captures your story, the reader hasn't read your story yet. Your cover should be the thing that draws them in, whether it's custom or pre-made.
This post covers a few things to keep in mind when shopping for predesigned cover art.
1. Align with Your Genre
Different genres have distinct visual cues. A sweet romance novel might feature soft colors and elegant fonts, while a dark romance or romantic suspense book will feature darker tones. Fantasy covers use heavy contrast and lighting to produce a surreal-like cover, while mystery covers are hyper-realistic and minimal. Understanding the visual language of your genre will help you choose a cover that resonates with your target audience.
It's always a good idea to review the bestselling book covers in your specific genre to identify trends in design. This will help you ensure that your book falls well into that category and catches the eye of readers of that genre. While making your cover art stand out, certain trends familiar to readers will compel them to pick up or click on your book.
2. Consider Your Target Audience
Think about who your readers are and what kind of covers they are drawn to. Young adults might prefer vibrant and trendy designs, while mature readers may appreciate classic and sophisticated aesthetics. Tailor your cover choice to appeal to your specific audience. Understanding reader expectations aligns closely with genre considerations, and your preferred demographic plays a significant role in cover design.
3. Eye-catching Visual Elements
A great book cover typically includes a few key elements: a compelling image that captures the essence of your story, a clear and readable title, and the author’s name. Ensure these elements are well-balanced and none overwhelms the others. The cover art and typography must create intrigue and demand attention in various sizes, on different platforms, both digital and print, and still be clean and inviting.
4. Color Scheme and Typography
Colors and fonts play a crucial role in setting the mood of your book cover. Choose a color scheme that aligns with the tone of your book. For example, warm colors might convey a cozy feel, while cooler tones could suggest a more somber atmosphere. Similarly, pick fonts that complement the genre and style of your book, such as script fonts for romance, serif fonts for historical fiction, and sans-serif fonts for contemporary works. Contrast is important but must work together to create harmonious and striking artwork.
5. Shop Around
Take your time to browse through various pre-made book cover designs. Many websites offer a wide range of options, so explore different styles and themes until you find one that feels just right. You don't have to settle for the first cover you come across; give yourself time to compare different options to make sure you're making the best choice. Of course, there are exceptions to this, but ideally, you want time to be selective. Weigh the pros and cons of each option to make an informed decision.
6. Professional Design Quality
Ensure the cover design is high-quality and professional. The image resolution should be high enough to look good both in print and online. Lower resolution items can appear pixelated or blurry, detracting from the overall appeal. A professional design should never look too busy or cluttered, as this can be distracting and off-putting to potential readers. Clean and balanced design is key to making your book cover attractive and effective.
Another thing that can impact the quality of your design is the application used to create it. While platforms like Canva offer great tools for creating covers, they can be limited in terms of advanced capabilities and refined techniques. This can certainly translate into your final cover art, especially with print quality. Most professional designers use different applications, like Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, etc., to create cover art that allows for a higher level of detail, resulting in a more polished final cover.
Bonus Tip: Ask Others
Before finalizing your choice, get some feedback. Share a few of your top picks with friends, family, or fellow authors. You can even involve your readers by asking them to vote on their favorite—making it a fun and engaging activity. Sometimes an outside perspective can help you catch things you might have missed.
I hope these tips help you in your cover selection. I know there are tons more I could go on about, but I feel these are the most important things to keep in mind.
Selecting the perfect pre-made book cover is an exciting step in the publishing process. By keeping these tips in mind, you can find a cover that looks great and effectively conveys the essence of your book. Happy book-cover hunting!
P:S.: You can always browse my available pre-mades here 😉: PRE-MADE BOOK COVERS – Covers in Color