How to Design a Simple Book Cover

Last Updated: February 13, 2021

After covering your well worn paperback book, with a used brown, paper bag from the grocery store or from a roll, you should design the book cover. This article shows you how to design a book cover beyond merely writing the title and author.(If all else fails, you could cut-and-paste or use the computer to do it).

Steps

1
Look at books on the internet, at the bookstore or at the library for some ideas on how to design a book cover. Also look at magazines, pamphlets, the packaging of products from the supermarket etc.^{[1]
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2
The simplest method is to align the title and the artwork to the left edge of the book. With this method, even if the title and artwork were smaller, you would still align it to the left (the spine side).

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3
A common style of alignment is where the title and artwork is centered. This style is harder to do and you will have to use a ruler and pencil. With the pencil, make the initial lettering of the title, and if you are satisfied, go over it with a round tip, black marker pen.^{[2]
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4
For an interesting placement of the title, place it on the right side. To balance it, place the artwork to the left. The artwork can also be placed in the center.^{[3]
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5
Simplify the design from the examples and design a simple book cover. You will need an inspiration for your artwork, choose a picture to draw that relates to the title. Search the dictionary, the internet, the yellow pages etc for something to draw under the title.^{[4]
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6
Use a round tip, black marker pen to draw. From the photo, the words "cover design" can be replaced with the author's name, the book publisher, the book edition, etc. This simple book cover design required, in materials, just a ruler and a marker pen.
7
Try other ideas, if you do not want to letter the title or draw the picture:^{[5]
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- Print the title and use a font such as Times New Roman. With the title printed on white paper, you will have a lot of contrast as a bonus.
- Print the artwork from the internet, use a photo, or cut out artwork from the newspaper, magazine, yellow pages etc. Printing your artwork with black ink on white paper will also have great contrast.
- Choose and print the artwork first, later adjust the size of the lettering of the title, so that it will be in harmony with the picture. Black is always a good choice for the color of the lettering.
- Make a simpler artwork such as an anchor instead of the ship.
- Technically make the lettering precise. Artistically, make your cover pleasing to look at.
- Use a multi-colored scheme for the title.
- Instead of artwork, use a photo or a picture from the internet, of the actual book cover. In this photo, the title was not cut perfectly and by framing it the uneven cutting would not be visible. Frame the title also with a marker pen and a straight edge.
8
Finally, in the design process, take your time and enjoy the process. Protect your book cover by covering it with clear, mailing tape such as in the previous photo. The contents of your textbook are more important than the cover, study hard!

Community Q&A

Question

If I want to create cover art for a book my friend and I are writing, can I just draw it in colored pencil and pencil and then go over the outlines in pen?

Community Answer

If that style suits you best, it will be fine. Remember, this is your book, so its cover should look however you want it to look.
Question

Can I digitally make a book cover?

Community Answer

Yes. Digitally made book covers are quite common these days. Paint Tool SAI is a good program to use because of the amount of detail and easy editing it allows you to do.
Question

Would it work if I drew a picture on paper and glued the paper on the book cover?

Jamie P.

Community Answer

It depends. Are you making a real book that is going to the public or is it just a school thing? If it is just a school thing then that should be something you ask your teacher. If it is a real book, you will need to find a publisher. If your book passes the publisher's requirements he/she should find you a cover designer, who will create the cover.