eBook Cover Tutorial: Eight Tips for an Effective Book Cover Design

The Secret to Good Book Design, Production and Layout

is knowing what works and what doesn’t. Though there are volumes that I could write on the principles of good design, that is not the purpose of this post.

Most people in the publishing industry believe that a good book cover design is a book’s number one marketing tool. The following are a few tips for the non-graphic designer in how to make an eBook design cover.

1. Big Title, and Easy to Read.

   This is the most important aspect of a good design. Since most readers will first find your book on a screen (not on a bookshelf), the title needs to be bold and stand out.

2. Thumbnail Reviews.

   Once aspect may people forget to consider is the book cover’s readability in a small thumbnail size. The book has to be distinct on Kindles, iPads and even mobile devices.

3. Black and White.

   This is an aspect mainly for the current Kindle. With the inclusion of wifi on the Kindle, readers will search for new books and download instantly from their Kindles; therefore, the book cover needs to be effective in monochrome (black and white).

4. Choose the right fonts.

   The font is just as important as the cover design element. Each evokes a feeling. You should try out a variety of fonts before finding what works best.

   There are two fonts you should avoid when designing your cover: Comic Sans and Papyrus. These fonts are only acceptable if writing humor or if you are intentionally trying to create a design publishing professionals will laugh at. [ See eBook Cover Design: Typography and Fonts ]

5. Use ONLY Two Fonts.

   Try to design the cover using only two (complementary) fonts. Some editors/publishers say to avoid using all caps, italics, outlines. Personally, I think it depends on the design. I use caps quite a lot — it is bold and make the title easy to read.

   NOTE: At times three fonts can be utilized, but I would not suggest this for the non-designer. Rule of thumb – not more than two fonts.

6. Use professional Graphics and Illustrations.

   Unless you are a graphic designer, avoid using your own artwork of the artwork of your children.

   In turn, The art that comes with Microsoft Word, or other non-designer layout programs is NOT intended for a professional cover design. Use online stock photography resources such as CanStockPhoto.com, BigStock.com or iStockPhoto.com.

7. Color.

   Avoid clashing or garish color combinations. In most cases, it makes your book look odd. [ See eBook Cover Design: Choosing Colors ]

8. Sunrise, Sunset.

   Avoid overused common-place photos. such as sunrises, sunsets, ocean photos or fluffy clouds. Choose elements that create a unique design. You don’t want to look like a copycat.