How to choose the perfect premade book cover

Secrets to Picking the best Premade Book Cover

You’ve written a brilliant book. Edited it to perfection. You’ve formatted it for self-publishing. Now, you are ready to unleash it to the world.

But wait. There’s one more thing you need to do before you hit that publish button.

You need a book cover.

A book cover is not just a pretty picture that wraps around your words. It’s a powerful marketing tool that can make or break your book sales.

Think about it. When you browse through books online or in a bookstore, what catches your eye first? The cover, right?

The cover is the first impression that your potential readers get of your book. It tells them what genre and category the book belongs to, what mood and tone it has, and what kind of story and characters they can expect.

If your cover is attractive, professional, and relevant, it will entice the readers to click on it, read the blurb, and maybe even buy the book.

But if your cover is amateurish and irrelevant, it will repel the readers and make them ignore your book or worse.

So how do you get the best book cover that does justice to your masterpiece?

You have two options: hire a professional designer or use a premade book cover.

• Hiring a professional designer can be a great option if you have the budget, time and vision for your cover. A designer can work with you to create a custom cover that matches your specifications and preferences. But hiring a designer can also be a hassle. You have to find a reliable and talented designer who understands your genre and style. You have to communicate your ideas clearly and provide feedback and revisions. You have to pay a hefty fee and wait for weeks or months for the final product. And sometimes, you may end up with a cover that you don’t like or that doesn’t sell well.

• That’s why many self-published authors opt for the second option: using a pre designed book cover. A premade book cover is a ready-made cover that you can buy online for a fraction of the cost of hiring a designer. You can browse through thousands of covers in various genres and categories, and choose the one that suits your book best. You can then customize the cover with your title, author name, and other details. You can have a professional-looking cover instantly instead of weeks or months.

Sounds too good to be true, right?

Well, not quite. Using a premade book cover has its own challenges and pitfalls. You have to be careful and smart when choosing a pre made book cover, or you may end up with a cover that doesn’t fit your book or that looks like everyone else’s.

That’s why we’ve created this ultimate guide on how to choose the perfect premade book cover for your self-published book.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to:

• Know your genre and target audience

• Browse through various sources and options

• Match the cover with the content and tone of your book

By following these steps, you’ll be able to find a premade book cover that will make your book stand out from the crowd and attract more readers and sales.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

Know your genre and target audience

The first step in choosing a pre designed book cover is to know your genre and target audience.

Your genre and target audience are the two most important factors that determine what kind of cover you need for your book.

Different genres and audiences have different expectations and preferences for book covers. They have certain conventions and trends that they are familiar with and look for when browsing books.

For example, if you’re writing a romance novel, you may want to use a cover that features an attractive couple in an intimate pose, with warm colors and soft fonts. This will signal to the readers that your book is a romance novel that offers them an emotional and sensual experience.

Or if you’re writing a thriller novel, you may want to use a cover that features a dark and mysterious scene, with bold colors and fonts. This will signal to the readers that your book is a thriller novel that offers them an exciting and suspenseful experience.

What if you’re writing a fantasy novel? You may want to use a cover that features an imaginative and magical world, with vibrant colors and fonts. This will signal to the readers that your book is a fantasy novel that offers them an adventurous and fantastical experience.

And so on.

Knowing your genre and target audience will help you narrow down your choices and find covers that appeal to them.

But how do you know what genre and target audience your book belongs to?

There are two ways: self-identify or research.

Self-identify

This is the easiest and most intuitive way to determine your genre and target audience. You simply ask yourself: what kind of book have I written and who is it for?

You may already have a clear idea of what genre and target audience your book belongs to, based on your own preferences and intentions.

For example, if you’re a fan of cozy mysteries and you’ve written a book about a quirky amateur sleuth who solves crimes in a small town, you may identify your genre as cozy mystery and your target audience as cozy mystery fans.

And if you’re a fan of historical fiction and you’ve written a book about a young woman who travels back in time to the Tudor era and falls in love with a handsome courtier, you may identify your genre as historical fiction and your target audience as historical fiction fans.

Maybe you’re a fan of sci-fi and you’ve written a book about a futuristic society where humans are augmented by technology and face ethical dilemmas, you may identify your genre as sci-fi and your target audience as sci-fi fans.

And so on.

Self-identifying your genre and target audience can be a quick and easy way to find covers that match your book. However, it can also be subjective and inaccurate. You may have a biased or limited view of what your genre and target audience is, or you may not be aware of the nuances and subgenres that exist within them.

That’s why it’s also important to do some research.

Research

This is the more objective and reliable way to determine your genre and target audience. You simply look at the best-selling books in your niche and analyze what kind of covers they use.

Use online platforms such as Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, etc., to find the best-selling books in your niche. You can search by keywords, categories, genres, ratings, reviews, etc., to find books that are similar to yours in terms of content, style, tone, etc.

Then, look at their covers and see what elements they have in common. Pay attention to things such as:

• Colors: What colors are dominant or complementary on the covers? What emotions or moods do they evoke?

• Fonts: What fonts are used for the title, author name, and other text? What size, style, and alignment do they have?

• Images: What images are featured on the covers? What objects, characters, scenes, or symbols do they show?

• Layout: How are the elements arranged on the covers? What balance, contrast, and harmony do they create?

By analyzing the covers of the best-selling books in your niche, you can get a sense of what works and what doesn’t for your genre and target audience. See what conventions and trends are popular and effective in attracting readers’ attention and interest.

You can also see what variations and innovations are possible within those conventions and trends. See how some authors or designers use different or unique elements to make their covers stand out from the crowd.

By doing some research, you can find covers that not only match your book but also appeal to your readers.

However, research alone is not enough. It would be best if you also used your own judgment and creativity.

Judgment and creativity

This is the final and most important step in determining your genre and target audience. You simply use your own judgment and creativity to choose a cover that fits your book best.

You may have found several covers that suit your genre and target audience, but not all of them may suit your book. Consider the specific content and tone of your book and how it differs from or relates to other books in your niche.

Ask yourself: what makes my book unique? What is the main message or theme of my book? Do I know the main emotion or mood of my book? What is the main hook or twist of my book?

Then, find a cover that reflects those aspects of your book and makes it stand out from the crowd.

You may need to tweak or customize some elements of the cover changing the colors, fonts, images or layout to make them more aligned with your book’s content and tone.

Maybe add some elements that are unique or specific to your book. Some symbols, objects, characters, or scenes that are relevant or significant to your book’s plot or theme.

By using your own judgment and creativity, you can find a cover that not only fits your genre and target audience but also showcases your book’s individuality and personality.

To summarize:

• Know your genre and target audience by self-identifying or researching the best-selling books in your niche.

• Use your own judgment and creativity to choose a cover that reflects your book’s content and tone and makes it stand out from the crowd.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to find covers that appeal to your readers and match your book.

But where do you find the best premade book cover?

That’s what we’ll cover in the next section.

Browse through various sources and options to find the best premade book cover 

The second step in choosing a premade book cover is to browse through various sources and options.

There are many places where you can find and buy premade book covers online. Some of the most popular and reputable ones are:

• Online marketplaces: These are platforms where you can browse through thousands of premade book covers in various genres and categories, created by different designers from around the world. You can filter by price, rating, popularity, etc., and see the details and reviews of each cover. Some examples of online marketplaces are The Book Cover Designer, SelfPubBookCovers, Etsy, etc.

• Websites: These are websites where you can find premade book covers created by a specific designer or a team of designers. You can see their portfolio and style, and contact them directly if you have any questions or requests. Some examples of websites are CreativeParamita, Damonza, Rocking Book Covers, Paper & Sage Design, etc.

• Social media platforms: These are platforms where you can follow and interact with designers who create premade book covers. You can see their latest work, get updates on new releases, and join their communities. Some examples of social media platforms are Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.

Each source and option has its own advantages and disadvantages. You need to weigh them carefully and decide which one is best for you.

Here are some criteria to consider when evaluating each source and option:

• Quality: How professional and attractive are the covers? How well do they fit your genre and target audience? How original and unique are they?

• Price: How much do the covers cost? Are they within your budget? Are you getting the best value for money deal?

• Availability: How many covers are available in your genre and category? How often do they add new covers? How fast do they sell out?

• Customization: How much can you customize the covers? Can you change the title, author name, tagline, etc.? Can you request minor or major changes to the colors, fonts, images, layout, etc.?

• Rights: What rights do you get when you buy the covers? Do you get exclusive or non-exclusive rights? Can you use the covers for print and digital formats? Can you use the covers for multiple books or series?

By comparing each source and option based on these criteria, you can find the one that offers you the best value and quality for your money.

However, not all sources and options are trustworthy or reliable. You need to be careful and smart when browsing through them, or you may end up with a cover that is a scam, a plagiarism or a low-quality product.

That’s why we’ve created some tips on how to avoid these pitfalls.

Tips on how to avoid scams, plagiarism, and low-quality covers:

Scams:

These are covers that are sold by dishonest or fraudulent sellers who take your money but don’t deliver the product or service. They may disappear after you pay them, send you a different cover than what you ordered, or refuse to refund or fix any issues. To avoid scams, you should:

• • Check the reputation and reviews of the seller before buying. Look for positive feedback from previous customers, testimonials from reputable sources, awards or certifications from industry organizations, etc.

• • Use a secure payment method that offers protection and guarantees. Avoid paying by cash, wire transfer, gift card or other untraceable methods. Use platforms that either offer escrow services or dispute resolution mechanisms, for example, Paypal.

• • Keep records of all communications and transactions with the seller. Save screenshots, emails, receipts, invoices, etc. Report any suspicious or fraudulent activity to the platform or authorities.

Plagiarism:

These are covers that are copied or stolen from other sources without permission or credit. They may use images, fonts, layouts or designs that belong to other authors, designers or websites. They may infringe on the intellectual property or trademark rights of others. To avoid plagiarism, you should:

• •  Check the originality and legality of the cover before buying. Use tools such as Google Images, TinEye, etc., to reverse search the cover and see if it appears elsewhere online. Look for watermarks, signatures or other indicators of ownership. Contact the original source if you have any doubts or concerns.

• •  Use covers that are licensed or authorized for commercial use. Avoid using covers that are labeled as free, public domain, creative commons, etc., without verifying their terms and conditions. Read the fine print and understand what rights and restrictions apply to the cover.

• • Give credit or attribution to the source if required. Follow the guidelines and etiquette of giving credit or attribution to the source of the cover. Include a link, a note, a disclaimer or a thank you in your book or website.

Low-quality:

These are covers that are poorly designed or executed. They may have low-resolution images, pixelated fonts, mismatched colors, cluttered layouts or other flaws that make them look unprofessional or unappealing. They may not fit your genre and target audience or convey your book’s content and tone. To avoid low-quality covers, you should:

• • Check the quality and suitability of the cover before buying. Zoom in and out of the cover and see if it looks clear and crisp. Compare it with other covers in your genre and category and see if it stands out or blends in. Read the blurb or synopsis of your book and see if it matches the cover.

• • Use covers that are designed by experienced and skilled designers. Avoid using covers that are made by amateurs, hobbyists or beginners who lack the knowledge and expertise of book cover design. Look for designers who have a portfolio of previous work, testimonials from satisfied clients, awards or recognition from industry organizations, etc.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to avoid scams, plagiarism, and low-quality covers and find covers that are trustworthy and reliable.

But finding a cover is not enough. You also need to make sure that it matches your book.

That’s what we’ll cover in the next section.

Match the cover with the content and tone of your book

The third and final step in choosing the best premade book cover is to match the cover with the content and tone of your book.

This is the most crucial step in choosing a premade book covers because it determines how well your cover represents your book and attracts your readers.

A good design should reflect the content and tone of your book accurately and effectively. It should tell the readers what your book is about and what kind of experience they can expect from it.

A bad cover should misrepresent or contradict your book’s content and tone. It should confuse or mislead the readers about what your book is about and what kind of experience they can expect from it.

Let me explain this with a few instances

For example, if your book is a dark and gritty thriller about a serial killer who targets young women in a city, you should use a cover that features a dark and mysterious scene with bold colors and fonts.

If you use a cover that features a bright and cheerful scene with pastel colors and fonts, you’ll create a mismatch between your cover and your book. Disappoint or anger your readers who expected a different kind of book based on your cover.

Similarly, if your book is a light-hearted and humorous romance about a baker who falls in love with a firefighter in a small town, you should use a cover that features an attractive couple in an intimate pose with warm colors and soft fonts.

If you use a cover that features an abstract or minimalist design with cool colors and fonts, you’ll create a mismatch between your cover and your book. And lose or bore your readers who expected a different kind of book based on your cover.

Matching your cover with your book’s content and tone is essential for creating a consistent and coherent brand for your book. It helps you establish trust and credibility with your readers and increase their satisfaction and loyalty.

But how do you match your cover with your book’s content and tone?

There are two ways: use elements or use feedback.

• Use elements

This is the most common and straightforward way to match your cover with your book’s content and tone. Use elements that are relevant or significant to your book’s content and tone.

Elements are the components that make up your cover, such as colors, fonts, images, symbols, etc. Each element can convey a different message or emotion to the readers, depending on how you use it.

For example, colors can evoke different moods or feelings, such as red for passion or danger, blue for calmness or sadness, yellow for happiness or caution, etc.

Fonts can express different styles or personalities, such as serif for elegance or tradition, sans serif for modernity or simplicity, script for romance or creativity, etc.

Images can illustrate different objects, characters, scenes or symbols that are related or important to your book’s plot, theme, genre or category.

Symbols can represent different concepts, ideas or meanings that are associated or implied by your book’s title, tagline, message or theme.

By using elements that are relevant or significant to your book’s content and tone, you can create a cover that reflects your book accurately and effectively.

However, using elements alone is not enough. You also need to use them wisely and creatively.

• Use them wisely

This means that you should use elements that are appropriate and suitable for your book’s content and tone. You should avoid using elements that are inappropriate or unsuitable for your book’s content and tone.

For example, if your book is a historical fiction set in 18th-century France, you should use elements that are consistent and authentic with the time period and location of your book. And avoid using elements that are anachronistic or inaccurate with the time period and location of your book.

If your book is a sci-fi set in a futuristic world where humans are augmented by technology, you should use elements that are futuristic and technological. But avoid using elements that are outdated or mundane.

Using elements wisely means that you should do some research and fact-checking before using them. Verify the accuracy and validity of the elements you use. You should also consider the cultural and social implications of the elements you use. And avoid using elements that are offensive or insensitive to certain groups or communities.

Using elements wisely also means that you should use them sparingly and selectively. Avoid using too many or too few elements on your cover. Thereafter finding a balance between simplicity and complexity on your cover.

Too many elements can make your cover look cluttered and confusing. They can distract or overwhelm the readers and make them lose focus on the main message or theme of your book.

Too few elements can make your cover look bland and boring. Ultimately failing to capture or convey the essence or uniqueness of your book.

By using elements wisely, you can create a cover that is appropriate and suitable for your book’s content and tone.

• Use them creatively

This means that you should use elements that are original and unique for your book’s content and tone. You should avoid using elements that are clichéd or generic for your book’s content and tone.

For example, if your book is a romance novel about a billionaire who falls in love with a waitress in New York City, you should use elements that are original and unique for your book’s content and tone. Then avoid using elements that are clichéd or generic for your book’s content and tone.

If you use a cover that features a stock photo of a handsome man in a suit holding a woman in a red dress against a skyline background with a script font for the title, you’ll create a cover that is clichéd or generic for your book’s content and tone. You’ll blend in with thousands of other romance novels that use the same or similar elements on their covers.

Or if you use a cover that features an illustration of a coffee cup with a heart-shaped foam on top with a handwritten font for the title, you’ll create a cover that is original and unique for your book’s content and tone. And stand out from thousands of other romance novels that use different or boring elements on their covers.

Using elements creatively means that you should think outside the box and experiment with different combinations and variations of elements. Try to find new ways to express or emphasize your book’s content and tone through elements.

By using elements creatively, you can create a cover that is original and unique for your book’s content and tone.

To summarize:

• Use elements that are relevant or significant to your book’s content and tone.

• Use them wisely and sparingly, and avoid using them inappropriately or unsuitable.

• Use them creatively and originally, and avoid using them clichédly or generically.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to match your cover with your book’s content and tone. Find out more about How to customize premade book covers? in our other article: TRANSFORM YOUR BOOK WITH CUSTOMIZED PREMADE COVERS – 5 STEPS

But matching your cover with your book’s content and tone is not the end of the process. You also need to optimize your cover for maximum impact and results.

That’s what we’ll cover in the conclusion.

Conclusion

You’ve made it to the end of this ultimate guide on how to choose the perfect premade book cover for your self-published book.

You’ve learned how to:

• Know your genre and target audience by self-identifying or researching the best-selling books in your niche.

• Browse through various sources and options by comparing their quality, price, availability, customization and rights.

• Match the cover with the content and tone of your book by using elements wisely and creatively.

By following these steps, you’ve found a premade book cover that suits your book best and appeals to your readers most.

But you’re not done yet. You still need to optimize your cover for maximum impact and results.

Optimizing your cover means that you need to make sure that your cover is:

• Visible: Your cover should be clear and legible on different devices and platforms. It should have a high-resolution image, a readable font and a contrasting layout. Also have a catchy title, a compelling tagline and a recognizable author name.
• Memorable: Your cover should be memorable and unforgettable to the readers. It should have a unique and distinctive design that stands out from the crowd. It should also have a hook or a twist that intrigues or surprises the readers.

By optimizing your cover, you’ll be able to increase your book’s visibility, memorability and shareability. And able to reach more readers, generate more buzz and sell more books.

And that’s it. You’ve chosen the perfect premade book cover for your self-published book.

Congratulations!

You’ve completed one of the most important steps in self-publishing your book. You’ve created a powerful marketing tool that can boost your sales and reputation.

Now all you need to do is publish your book and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Thank you for reading this guide. We hope you found it helpful and informative.

We wish you all the best in your self-publishing journey.

Happy writing! 😊