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If you’re a self-publishing author or indie publisher, one of the most important elements of your book is its cover. A professional-looking book cover grabs attention, communicates the essence of your work, and can help increase sales.
But hiring a designer can be expensive and, if you’re working with a tight budget, DIY book cover design is an option. Look, it’s not as simple as slapping a nice graphic into Canva, but you can certainly create a placeholder cover until such time as you have the budget to go pro.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to designing your own DIY book covers using free tools for book cover design:
1. Choose Your Book Cover Design Platform
There are a few free book cover design tools available that allow you to create professional book covers with ease. Some of the more popular platforms include:
- Canva. An intuitive, easy-to-use design tool with a range of pre-made templates for book covers. While it’s free to use, Canva offers premium features and design elements if you need them (although you can always privately upload your own elements too). Once you’re in Canva, simply search for “book cover” and start customising your eBook cover or paperback book cover. Check out their website here.
- GIMP. A free, open-source alternative to Photoshop. Although it demands more digital technical skills than Canva, it offers advanced editing tools and is ideal for users who need more flexibility and control over their book cover design. While there is a learning curve, there are plenty of tutorials available online to help you get started with graphic design for books. Check out their website here.
- BookBrush. This tool offers a variety of free and paid templates for book cover creation and is designed specifically for authors. It has a simple drag-and-drop interface, and while the free version has some limitations, it’s still a useful tool for those on a budget looking to create DIY book covers. Check out their website here.
2. Set the Correct Dimensions for Your Book Cover
Before you start designing, it’s crucial to know the dimensions your cover needs to be. Most self-publishing platforms, like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), require a book cover that fits certain size specifications.
For example, KDP’s standards say that, for eBooks, the recommended size is 2560 x 1600 pixels, with an aspect ratio of 1.6:1. For paperback, the dimensions will depend on the trim size you’ve chosen.
These dimensions are important to ensure your book cover looks sharp and professional across various devices.
3. Design Your Book Cover with Simplicity and Focus
A book cover’s primary purpose is to communicate the theme or genre of the book at a glance. Here are some tips to keep in mind for effective book cover design:
- Focus on the title. Make sure your book title is large, clear, and easy to read, especially when viewed at thumbnail size. This is crucial for eBook covers and paperback covers alike.
- Use high-quality images. Choose clear, high-resolution images that fit the genre. Sites like Pexels and Pixabay offer free stock photos you can use in your DIY book covers.
- Fonts matter. The font you choose can convey a lot about the tone of your book. For example, a thriller might use bold, sharp fonts, while a romance novel might opt for elegant, flowing script fonts. Ensure the font is legible even at smaller sizes, especially for Amazon Kindle book covers or book thumbnails.
4. Keep the Genre in Mind
Different genres have different expectations for book cover design. Research bestsellers in your genre to see common design elements. For example:
- Thrillers and mysteries—dark, moody colours, dramatic imagery, and bold typography.
- Romance—light, soft colours, images of people or intimate settings, with elegant fonts.
- Fantasy—rich, vibrant colours and often an illustrative or magical style.
5. Export and Upload Your DIY Book Cover
Once you’re happy with your design, export the cover in the recommended format (usually JPEG or PNG) and ensure it meets the file size requirements for the platform you’re uploading to, like KDP or D2D.
| Specification | KDP (eBook) | D2D (eBook) | KDP (Print) | D2D (Print) |
| File Format | JPG, PNG, TIFF | JPG, PNG, TIFF | PDF (Full cover) | PDF (Full cover) |
| File Size | Max 50 MB | Max 5 MB | Max 40 MB | Max 40 MB |
| Minimum Dimensions | 1000 x 625 pixels | 1400 x 2100 pixels | Depends on trim size | Depends on trim size |
| Recommended Dimensions | 2560 x 1600 pixels | 1600 x 2400 pixels | Depends on trim size and page count | Varies with trim size and page count |
| Aspect Ratio | 1.6:1 (height to width) | 1.5:1 (height to width) | Varies with trim size | Varies with trim size |
| Resolution | 300 dpi | 300 dpi | 300 dpi | 300 dpi |
Final Tips:
- Keep your design simple but effective. You don’t need too much clutter on the cover.
- Make sure the cover looks good in both full size and thumbnail format, as potential readers will first see it as a small image online.
If you have to DIY just make sure you follow the right dimensions, choose a genre-appropriate design, and focus on readability. A great cover is the first step to grabbing readers’ attention—so make sure yours stands out!
If you need more resources or tutorials on book cover design for authors, copy and paste the search terms below into your browser for free templates and more tips:
- Canva—How to Create a Book Cover
- Reedsy Cover Design Tutorials
- BookBrush DIY Cover Design
- GIMP—Book Cover Design Tutorial for Beginners
That said, if you have realised that a great cover is worth some investment, check out our homepage or contact us for professional assistance.
Our book cover design rates are affordable. We have professionally qualified and experienced designers on team to help make this stage of the book publishing process easy, seamless, and with results that work.
Photo by Fathromi Ramdlon, 2015, Pixabay.
