Is your Book begging to be picked up off the shelves?

Can someone walk passed it without feeling the urge to read it cover to cover?

The harsh reality is, we all judge a Book by its cover.

A stunning Book cover design that’s impossible to ignore is the best marketing tool any author can have to sell their story. If it doesn’t pique someone’s interest instantly then it will remain sitting collecting dust among the rest of the pile.

Here are some essential tips you need to consider when designing your Book cover to make it a greater success.

When creating your Book cover design, there are several aspects you need to keep at the forefront of the process:

• Understanding your target audience
• What makes an eye-catching design
• How to use typography
• Not forgetting about the back and spine
• Editing with a flaming sword

We all dream of having books hit the Hollywood headlines but being an overnight success isn’t realistic.

However, following these important tricks can help you produce a powerful design and help you jump the queue to have your name in lights, with a sore hand from signing autographs in no time.

Understand your target audience

The first key point to keep in mind when designing your book cover is to understand your target audience. Knowing who your readers are and what they’re looking for will help you choose the right colour scheme, typography, and imagery for your cover.

For example, if your book is a thriller, you may want to use dark and moody colours, such as black or dark blue, and imagery that is suspenseful and dramatic. On the other hand, if your book is a romance, you may want to use soft, pastel colours and imagery that is romantic and dreamy.

It’s extremely important to be honest with your readers here. Make it clear from looking at the cover who this book is aimed at. If it’s aimed at a younger audience, make sure the cover appears more playful and engaging to that specific age range.

Include relevant themes according to the content of your story. If it’s a murder mystery, include objects in your design that show both the violence and mystery your audience can expect. Readers will put your Book down quickly if they realise the story isn’t what they had imagined it to be.

Choose an eye-catching image

The image on your book cover is one of the most important elements that will catch the attention of potential readers.

Arguably, a stunning design is the best, most appealing piece of marketing your Book can have. It’s the first thing people will see and will more often than not be the deciding factor whether someone decides to read more.

It should be relevant, not misleading, to the content that’s inside. It needs to be in line with your genre, and above all, eye-catching. There are several ways to achieve this, such as:

• Hire a professional designer or illustrator to create a custom image that will stand out on the shelf
• Use stock images that are relevant to your book’s content and genre
• Create an abstract or minimalistic design that is visually interesting and will intrigue potential readers.

Whatever approach you take, be sure to choose an image that is visually striking and that will make your book stand out on the shelf.

Keep it simple

While it may be tempting to include as much information as possible on your book cover, a cluttered design can be overwhelming and turn readers away. Keep your design simple and focused on the key elements that will draw readers in.

These key elements should include your book title, author name, and an eye-catching image that is relevant to your content and genre. You may also want to include a short tagline or subtitle that gives potential readers an idea of what your book is about.

An important part of any great design is space. Leaving the essential elements of your design enough room to breathe will make your title and design bolder.

Use typography to your advantage

Typography is a powerful tool that can be used to catch readers’ attention and communicate the tone of your book.

Choose a font that is easy to read and matches the tone of your book. For example, if your book is a thriller, you may want to use a bold, sans-serif font that conveys a sense of urgency and suspense.

Consider using bold, contrasting colours to make your title and author name pop. This will help your book stand out on the shelf and catch the attention of wandering eyes.

If you’re unsure what type of font to use, read our blog on the best fonts for print, which includes 18 free fonts!

Consider the spine and back cover

While the front cover is the most important part of your book cover, the spine and back cover are also essential elements that should not be overlooked.

Depending on how your Book is placed on a shelf, the spine might be the first thing someone notices. This makes it crucial to make sure the spine is legible and stands out when surrounded by other books.

Use the back cover to provide a synopsis, reviews, and any other relevant information that will entice readers to buy your book. Create a blurb that makes it impossible not to be drawn into the story.

Be sure to include a call-to-action that encourages readers to purchase your book, such as “Buy Now” or “Order Today.”

Edit with a flaming sword

Edit your front cover with a flaming sword. Anything that doesn’t earn its place or bring brings something to the party that takes your Book into the next stratosphere, cut it!

Before finalising your book cover, it’s important to get feedback from others. Ask friends, family, or members of your target audience for their opinions on your design. This can help you refine your cover and ensure that it will be well-received by readers.

You may also want to consider hiring a professional cover designer who has experience creating book covers in your genre. They can provide valuable feedback and guidance to help you create a cover that will stand out.

What next?

Now you know the tips and tricks to design a cover that will make your Book unmissable.

If you need somewhere to print your story to the masses, our Paperback Book printing service is the perfect place to transform your idea into reality.

Any sized order is possible, simply contact bespoke@solopress.com.

If your design doesn’t require a bespoke size, our standard orders can be printed on A4, A5, Royal, Demy or B Format, with up to 700 pages and 2000 Books per purchase.