You may ask why is book cover designing so important? Well, because when it comes to an actual book, everyone judges a book by its cover. While publishing a book, the cover design is the final creative stage.
That’s because the final, edited version of the book determines nearly everything about the anatomy of a book cover: the trim size, paper color, and a number of pages all define the dimensions of your cover. There’s hardly a good reason to design the cover before the final draught is complete because you’ll almost certainly have to do it again.
The goal of book cover design is to grab potential readers’ attention away from all of the other books and novels on their nightstand and persuade them that your book is the next book they should read. So, let us go through the anatomy of a book cover and how to make it attractive and cohesive.
Front Cover
The front cover is the first of a book’s physical objects. It has a single purpose: to persuade the correct audience to buy the book.
The title and author name are vital aspects of a front cover. The subtitle (if one exists), as well as photographs, background images, or graphics, are all optional.
1. Book Cover Imagery
You may include a photograph, artwork, geometric shapes, or just an unusual color combination as part of your imagery. Whatever imagery you use, be sure to present it in a way that reflects the spirit of your work. It must convey the book’s theme while also attracting the reader’s attention.
2. Typography
Choose fonts that express more than the words they spell out, so think about the content and tone you want to achieve. Don’t use such a variety of fonts that your title and other information become difficult to understand.
Choose a more flowing font to indicate romance, a whimsical font for humor, and bold, powerful font to generate a feeling of drama or adventure.
3. Title
Consider yourself a reader rather than an author. Rather than being clever, go for clarity. The first thing they see is your title. Is it visually conveying what the book is about?
Your objective is to utilize visual elements and design to convey to potential readers what the book is about and to evoke an emotion in them that will make them want to read it.
4. Subtitle
Only use a subtitle if it is necessary to clarify or expand on the theme of your book. Your subtitle should, ideally, complement the title and provide extra descriptive information. Include any searchable keywords that aren’t in your title if it makes sense—especially if you’re going to be e-publishing.
Back Cover
If the buyer made it to the back cover, your front cover achieved its job; it grabbed their attention enough for them to pick up the book again. The back cover’s goal now is to attract readers in such a way that they feel driven to purchase the book.
The most essential element of the back cover is a description of the book that provides enough information for the buyer to feel compelled to purchase it.
1. Description
This should provide a preview for viewers by briefly summarizing different portions of your book and highlighting the highlights, similar to how a movie trailer gives a teaser for viewers.
It’s an advertisement for the book, therefore it should show readers why they should read it and what they can expect. Do not write your own purpose for writing the book.
2. Endorsements or Book Reviews
For many target readers, book reviews and endorsements are marketing elements that add legitimacy to the book. They’re similar to celebrity product endorsements in television advertisements.
3. Your Author Bio
This should be a three-sentence description. If your book is a work of fiction, show your individuality by introducing yourself and describing your most recent successes.
Establish your credentials when you introduce yourself and your previous work if your book is nonfiction. Use your author bio to promote yourself as a part of the book and establish a connection with readers.
Spine
Spine text that indicates the primary title and author’s last name as part of the cover design is also required for finished publications that are more than 130 pages long. Make it easy to read and ensure that it can be viewed sideways.
Types of Covers
Books are either casebound (hardcover) or paperbound (softcover). Paper covers are occasionally included with casebound volumes. Printed high-weight paper is typically used to cover paperbound books. Each of these book cover types accomplishes the same goal:
- identify the books
- serve as advertisements
- set the tone or feeling for potential readers
- communicate to potential consumers with crucial endorsements and other selling points
Do you Need to Hire a Professional Book Cover Designer?
Well, yes. When you hire a professional book cover designer, they will devote all of their time to your cover, present you with a range of possibilities, and even provide you with a different viewpoint if you already know what you want. They have greater experience and training in determining how the visual affects the story and the audience.
If you believe hiring a professional cover designer will be a waste of money, rethink. Consider it an investment in a wonderful book that will live on in the minds of your readers. Even if you’re not a skilled artist or designer, a great book cover is an investment and a definite method to create the proper impression.
A professional, attractive cover that sells your book is an important advertising tool; a traditional publisher would never skip this stage, and neither should you.
We, at TrueEditors, provide book cover design services along with book editing and proofreading services. We provide both, print cover design and e-book cover design. Different price plans are available and we know how to steal the deal and make your book cover work. If you have second thoughts then check out the author reviews on our website to get a hint of our work.
-Isabell S.
