What to Consider in Designing a Book Cover
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Study Your Genre First
Before you design anything, look at successful books in your genre. Go to Amazon, browse your category, and ask:
• What colors are common?
• What font styles do I see repeatedly?
• Are images illustrated, photographic, or minimal?
Your goal is not to copy—but to understand what feels right to your audience. Covers act as visual shortcuts that instantly tell readers what kind of book they’re looking at.
Choose Fonts That Fit the Genre
Fonts communicate tone. A thriller, romance, children’s book, and business book should never use the same typography.
We also recommend repeating a high-quality font from the cover inside the book. This uses the design principle of Repetition—which builds:
✔ Brand identity
✔ Harmony
✔ A professional look
When your cover and interior match stylistically, your book feels intentional and polished.
Use Contrast for Readability
Contrast is critical—especially online. Your title must be readable at thumbnail size.
That means:
• Strong contrast between text and background
• Avoiding clashing color combinations
Examples to avoid:
Red on green
Orange on blue
These combinations can cause visual vibration and make text hard to read.
Create Clear Visual Hierarchy
Hierarchy tells the reader what to look at first.
A common structure:
Title – largest
Subtitle – supporting
Author name – near the bottom
Centered layouts are popular but not required. What matters most is clarity:
✔ Can readers instantly tell what the book is about?
✔ Does the eye move naturally from title → subtitle → author?
Avoid Busy, Overcrowded Designs
Too many images, fonts, or effects create confusion.
A strong cover has:
• One main visual idea
• Space to breathe
• A clear message in under 3 seconds
Your cover should be:
✔ Distinct
✔ On-genre
✔ Easy to understand
Test the Cover Before Final Print
Print your cover at a local copy shop. The colors won’t be exact, but you’ll see:
• What stands out
• What disappears
• What needs adjusting
This step saves time and money before final print.
Should You Design It Yourself?
If you’re design-savvy, these principles will guide you well.
If you want your book to look professional and competitive, working with an experienced book designer makes a major difference.
At Modern Book Design, we specialize in:
✔ Genre-appropriate covers
✔ Strong hierarchy
✔ Clean typography
✔ Covers that sell
👉 Need help with your book cover? Help is here.
