So, you’ve written a book —amazing! Congratulations are in order and now it’s time to give it the perfect design to match all that hard work. Remember, your cover is the first thing readers will see, and in a split second, it can spark their curiosity…or make them scroll past. But don’t worry! We’ve put together some fantastic book cover ideas to get you inspired and most importantly, make your brand-new masterpiece stand out.
Ready to dive in? Read on! 😊📚
Skip to the Good Part 🔖
In this blog, you’ll find book cover inspo for romance novels, sci-fi, terror, fantasy, coaching, and much more! Your story deserves a stunning cover —let’s create it together!
- But First, What Makes the Perfect Book Cover?
- Turn the Page to These Top Book Cover Ideas 📙
- 1. Typography Book Cover Ideas
- 2. Color Accent Book Cover Ideas
- 3. High-Contrast Book Cover Ideas
- 4. Minimalistic / Clean Book Cover Ideas
- 5. Collage Book Cover Ideas
- 6. Focused-Object Book Cover Ideas
- 7. Photograph Book Cover Ideas
- 8. Illustration Book Cover Ideas
- 9. Main Character Book Cover Ideas
- 10. Book Cover Ideas by Genre
- How to Make a Book Cover With Placeit ✨
- Extra Chapter, Extra Income: Selling Book Covers on Etsy 🌟
- Your Next Chapter Awaits 📖
But First, What Makes the Perfect Book Cover?
We can’t say this enough: first impressions matter! Your book cover design is your chance to hook readers right away and instantly give them a taste of your story.
Before we jump into all the awesome book cover ideas we have for you, let’s go over a quick checklist of must-have elements for a killer design. This way, no matter if you’re a newbie in the editorial and publishing world, you’ll know how to do it by the book. 😉
Aim for a clear title that gives readers a sense of what’s to come with your story. Don’t forget to try out our book title checker to make sure you have a unique title!
If needed, you can add a subtitle that elaborates on the book’s main theme. If your book will be published in digital format, this is an opportunity to include any relevant keywords. As they mention on PaperTrue: “If the title is the hook that draws eyes to your book, the subtitle should finish the job.”
Fonts can communicate a different tone and messaging, conveying different emotions to potential readers. It’s also worth mentioning that the style you choose should be legible and stand out against your book cover design.
Colors set the tone for your design. Bright and playful? Dark and mysterious? Choose colors that evoke the right emotions for your story.
Whether it’s stunning photography, sweet illustrations, or a minimalist design, your visuals should instantly reflect your book’s genre and mood, setting the tone for your readers.
All the elements your book haver has should be cohesively arranged so as to communicate the right message. What’s the first thing people should notice? Whether it’s the title, an image, or a symbol, your cover should guide the reader’s eye effortlessly.
Of course, your name or pseudonym deserves a prime spot on the cover, whether at the top, bottom, or just below the title. The placement often depends on the book’s design and genre, but one thing’s for sure —you want readers to remember who wrote the masterpiece they’re about to dive into!
A strong and positive review or endorsement can add instant credibility to your book, making readers even more excited to start reading it.
Turn the Page to These Top Book Cover Ideas 📙
Now, you might be wondering, “Okay, but where do I even start?” Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! At Placeit by Envato, you’ll find the perfect book cover template to bring your masterpiece to life.
The best part? You don’t need to start from scratch or have pro-level design skills. All our book covers are expertly crafted by our creative team and ready to be customized in just a few clicks.
This means no worrying about layouts, colors, or visuals, with Placeit, you’ll have a professional, cohesive, and eye-catching book cover in no time! ✨
1. Typography Book Cover Ideas
If you are planning to design your whole cover based on typography, then you must choose something attractive enough on its own! Type fonts can give you lots of artistic looks; simply play around with your options.
Here are a few examples to help you get started on your book cover ideas:
Script Fonts
Monospace Fonts
Sans Serif Fonts
😊✏️ Thinking about going digital or sticking with print? No worries —we’ve got you covered! From font combos to messaging and legibility, we’ve put together everything you need to know in Font Pairing Made Easy: A Guide for Non-Designers.
2. Color Accent Book Cover Ideas
Highlighting certain elements of your cover using accent hues over neutral color palettes can really make your cover “pop.” You can also use an accent color to establish a focal point in your design, whether it’s the title, an image, or a symbol.
Just like typography, colors have a way of speaking to your audience—they set the mood, spark emotions, and shape how your book is perceived. That’s why choosing the right color palette is key!
To help you out, here’s a breakdown of what different shades can convey:
🔴 Red
🟡 Yellow
🔵 Blue
🟠 Orange
🟢 Green
🟣 Purple
🎨😊 This is just a sneak peek of all the intriguing symbolism, history, and emotions each hue communicates. Get the full scoop and find stunning curated color palettes with our top guide Colors by Placeit.
3. High-Contrast Book Cover Ideas
Same logic as with color accents, but this time, you’ll be using fully opposite or complementary colors to make your book cover pop. High contrast grabs attention and ensures readability. Think of a beautiful lavender rose against a deep purple or a sunlit yellow against a striking red.
Of course, black and white offer the highest contrast, but you can also experiment with light vs. dark shades to create a dynamic, eye-catching design. The right contrast not only makes your book cover design stand out but also helps set the tone of it at first glance!
💡📔 New to the editorial world? Learn how to start self-publishing your book with these tips.
4. Minimalistic / Clean Book Cover Ideas
Minimalism follows the principle that less is more. Now, this doesn’t mean boring at all! A clean, simple, book front cover design can make it look organized, simple, and elegant. Think neutral color palettes, clean frames, and geometric shapes that convey a sense of order and uniformity.
Since minimalism is all about prioritizing essential design elements, remember that blank spaces can also make an impression. All in all, this aesthetic is ideal for contemporary fiction, self-help books, business guides, and poetry collections. Any book where simplicity and elegance reflect the content’s tone and message.
🤔🪄 Is minimalism not quite your cup of tea? Let’s turn the page over! Maximalism is also in, discover this unique style and all the stunning design trends that are taking over this year.
5. Collage Book Cover Ideas
Going for that nostalgic, retro style? Collages make bold, dynamic covers! Think of tons of different graphic elements, textures, photos, cutouts, doodles, and more, giving your book a very artistic, one-of-a-kind look. Of course, it’s all about the placement! While it might seem “messy” at first, a well-balanced collage directs the reader’s eye exactly where you want it.
With its fun, colorful twist, collages make great art book cover ideas. But don’t be afraid to think outside the box! This style can also work on experimental fiction, poetry collections, and zines that embrace this bold, unconventional style. 🎨✨
6. Focused-Object Book Cover Ideas
Focusing on one single object for your cover makes all the eyes turn to that one element, giving it a very nice hierarchy to your cover. To make it work, consider playing around with the placement, size, and color of said object, making it pop against your book cover.
For example, a single key on a dark background could hint at mystery, while a pencil on a pastel cover might suggest an introspective, educational read. The overall idea is to create a bold contrast between the object and your cover, making your design even more striking.
📐😀 Master the basics of color, balance, and composition with our easy-to-follow Graphic Design Principles to Swear By, perfect for making your book cover look pro!
7. Photograph Book Cover Ideas
Photographs are an excellent element to give emotion to your cover. I mean, we know an image is worth more than a thousand words, right? Images can effectively communicate all kinds of emotions and moods for your cover, making a huge impact.
Whether you opt for a captivating, natural setting or the photo of a cozy, homemade meal, these book cover ideas are eye-catching, grabbing readers’ attention instantly. So, it all comes down to your theme!
💡 Golden Advice: When you pick a photo-based book cover template, remember you can always customize it using Placeit’s Editor. Simply click on the “Background Image” option and browse through our huge library. As a tip, you can type specific keywords related to your book such as “motivational”, “nature”, or “travel” for a more refined search. Or, you can choose to upload your very own image for a unique style!
8. Illustration Book Cover Ideas
Illustrations are a great way to add personality and charm to your book cover design. Whether hand-drawn, cartoonish, or digitally created, they can make any story stand out from the crowd. Plus, they work perfectly across genres!
While you may think it’s only used for a children’s book cover, illustrations are perfect for bold graphic novels and even literary fiction with a modern twist. If you want a cover that truly feels one-of-a-kind, then these designs are the way to go! 🎨✨
📸😊 Discover Best Book Print-On-Demand Services!
9. Main Character Book Cover Ideas
Is your story centered on a strong lead character? Try a face either for a fictional character or a real person. These types of book cover ideas have a big impact on viewers because they create an emotional bond at first glance.
Memoirs, for example, should always feature a person, as do generally biographies and self-biographies. Whether it’s a dramatic close-up, a mysterious silhouette, or an expressive illustration, a character-driven cover can make your book unforgettable!
10. Book Cover Ideas by Genre
Before we wrap up this selection of book cover ideas, we couldn’t forget to include designs by each genre. Remember, choosing the right option is key to attracting the right readers! Every genre has its own visual language, helping people instantly recognize what kind of story they’re about to dive into.
A mystery novel might use dark, eerie tones with shadowy imagery, while a romance book often features soft hues, elegant fonts, and dreamy illustrations. Meanwhile, a fantasy cover can transport readers to another world with magical elements, intricate designs, or bold typography. No matter your genre, Placeit’s book cover creator has the perfect design for you! 😊📚
✏️🤓 Stuff Your Kindle Day is the perfect event to boost your book’s visibility! Learn how to join & grab top Placeit book templates to stand out.
How to Make a Book Cover With Placeit ✨
Judging a Book by Its Cover? Make It Stunning!
Get to the book cover design templates and filter using the tags on your left side screen. You can filter by genre or style!
2. Personalize Your Book Cover Design
Once you’ve chosen the template that best fits your book style, you can start customizing it on Placeit’s Editor. Change the fonts, images, graphics, and layout, or even upload your own imagery.
3. Download Your Brand-New Book Cover
When you are done editing, simply click on the download button, and in no time, you will receive a high-quality book cover you can either print or share online!
🌟 Bonus: Get to our book mockups section and add your design to a book mockup to get digital images of your work with the best realistic and professional images. You can find all kinds of options for all book sizes, studios, or models in real scenarios!
Extra Chapter, Extra Income: Selling Book Covers on Etsy 🌟
With over 95.1 million active buyers browsing Etsy, the opportunities for creatives like you are endless! This is especially true when it comes to digital downloads, offering everything from printable art to stationery — and book covers are no exception! This is an exciting opportunity to diversify your offerings and reach a whole new audience.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Play by the Rules & Protect Your Work
FINAL: Before you dive in, take a moment to check out Etsy’s Copyright Infringement policies —it’s worth it to keep your shop running smoothly! Also, remember that Placeit’s templates can’t be resold as stock or templates. You must ensure any Placeit templates are used as part of your own creative end product. For more information, check out the Placeit license terms here.
2. Design Something Uniquely Yours
No stress —this is where creativity takes center stage! With our Blank Canvas Tool, you can design one-of-a-kind book covers. Remember, if you’re using any Placeit template, you must use your own skill and effort to create your end product. Our Blank Canvas Tool can help you stand out in a crowded marketplace. Let your imagination run wild and create covers that readers can’t resist!
3. Sell Your Book Covers on Etsy
Time to add your first listing! This marketplace is packed with opportunities for creative entrepreneurs like you, and your book cover designs are ready to shine. To make things even easier, we’ve put together how to sell digital products on Etsy—so you can hit the ground running and start making sales in no time!
Your Next Chapter Awaits 📖
When you’re done designing, take a step back and ask yourself: Is my design enticing? Does it spark curiosity or emotion? A great book cover should make readers want to pick it up instantly! To get a fresh perspective, ask for feedback from trusted friends and family—sometimes, a second pair of eyes can spot things you might have missed.
With Placeit by Envato, you can create your book cover, make a book mockup to promote your cover, spread the word on social media, and even make videos! Basically, everything you need to get your book out into the world!
@placeitapp New book coming? 🚀📚 Watch for 5 captivating cover ideas! Want more? Head to our blog and uncover 5 more styles! #booktok #bookcover #madewithplaceit #bookmockup #bookcoverdesign #booklovers #writertok #booktoker #bookcoverart ♬ Young Folks Austin Millz Remix - Austin Millz
P.S. What were your favorite book cover ideas? Let us know in the comments! 😌📚
FAQ — Book Cover Ideas
- Go for a typographic cover
- Highlight color accents or high contrasts
- Craft a minimalistic design
- Assemble a collage cover
- Feature an object-focused or image-driven design
- Use unique illustrations
- Showcase your main character
- Add depth with textures on your cover
- Choose designs inspired by your book’s genre
- A striking title
- A descriptive subtitle
- Reader-friendly typography
- An on-theme color palette
- Eye-catching visuals
- A cohesive design and layout
- The author’s name
- A captivating review or endorsement
This will depend on where you’re publishing your book—whether online or in print. Different platforms and printing services have their own recommended dimensions.
For example, Amazon KDP suggests a cover size of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels for ebooks, while printed books follow standard trim sizes like 6” x 9” or 5.5” x 8.5”.