The creative hack to make book covers for free
If you need to design your book cover, these tips and tools can help you do it fast.
Before you start reading this post, I want to ask you a question: Have you ever chosen a book based exclusively on its cover art?
Of course you have! Basically, every person in the modern world who has ever bought a book has done the same thing.
That's why if you plan to write your own book, it makes sense to have a cover that invites readers in. In many cases, a great cover is part of what makes a good book a great one. That first stunning image is what many readers will remember when thinking of their favorite book.
But how can you, especially as a self-published author or someone on a tight budget, create a stunning, professional-looking book cover without breaking the bank?
The answer lies in following the right tips and finding the right tools. We’ll walk you through the steps of how to make book covers that stand out and resonate with your readers, plus everything you'll need to do it quickly and for free.
Why your book cover matters
When you're about to launch your own book, a well-designed cover can be the difference between a sale and a missed opportunity. This fact is why authors and creatives spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on designing the perfect cover.
It helps to think of your book cover as a snapshot of your book's genre, mood, and tone. These visual cues are what will help readers determine if they want to see what's inside.
Put simply, a memorable cover is a crucial part of the short and long-term success to your book. Obviously, a book with a gorgeous cover with beautiful visual elements will stick in the memory more than a book with a brown paper cover.
8 steps to design a book cover
Designing a book cover can seem overwhelming at first, but breaking it down into simple steps makes the process manageable and even enjoyable. Here’s an 8-step guide on how to make book covers that capture your story’s essence and appeal to your target audience.
1. Check out other book covers from your genre
Before you dive into designing, take some time to research what’s already out there. Look at book covers in your genre and notice the common themes and design elements.
For example, if you’re writing a mystery novel, you might see a lot of dark colors, shadowy figures, and bold, serif fonts. Romance novels, on the other hand, often feature softer tones and cursive typography.
Resources to help with this
While you could always just walk down to your local library, here are a few other sites you can browse to get some quality inspiration.
2. Consider what your cover will say to readers
Your book cover should communicate the core message or mood of your story. Think about the emotions or themes you want to convey. Is your book a fast-paced thriller, a heartwarming romance, or a deep, introspective drama?
Start by jotting down a few key ideas or feelings that you want your cover to evoke. For example, if your book is a horror story, you might want to create a sense of fear or unease. If it’s a fantasy adventure, perhaps you want to evoke a sense of wonder or excitement.
Resources to help with this
Gathering ideas will guide your design choices and help you create a cover that resonates with your target audience.
3. Find or make the perfect image for your cover
Not too long ago, authors who wanted stellar book cover design needed to pay a designer or figure out how to become an artist over night. Both options were tough, and generally expensive.
Thankfully, those days are long gone, and there are mountains of free resources you can use to create professional cover art. This includes AI stock images, free illustrations, 3D assets, and AI image generators on top of it all.
But before you create or choose an image, think about how it will work with other elements on your cover, like the title and author name. The image should enhance these elements, not compete with them. It should also be easily recognizable and convey the mood or genre of your book at a glance.
Resources to help with this
Another key tip is to test out different tools to see which has the best results. Here are a few of our favorites:
4. Choose a font to go with the visuals
The font you choose should complement your cover image and reflect the tone of your book. For instance, a horror novel might use a sharp, angular font to create a sense of unease, while a romance novel might feature a more flowing, script-style font that feels soft and inviting.
When selecting a font, consider readability. Your title should be easy to read, even in thumbnail size, which is how many readers will first see your book online.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different fonts and sizes. Sometimes, a slight adjustment in font size or spacing can make a huge difference in the overall impact of your cover. Just be sure to keep it simple—too many fonts or overly complex typography can make your cover look cluttered and unprofessional.
Resources to help with this
Finding free fonts isn't easy, so here are a few websites where you can find tons of styles that are free for commercial use.
5. Don’t forget the back cover!
While the front cover gets most of the attention, don’t forget about the back cover—you'll want your readers to leave with something nice to look at when they close the book!
It would be pretty strange if the style of the back cover was completely different from the front, so make sure to maintain some consistency. Use the same fonts, colors, and design elements to create a cohesive look. If your front cover has a specific visual theme, try to carry that theme through to the back cover as well.
Resources to help with this
6. Use a mockup tool
Before you make a final decision on your cover design, it’s a good idea to see how it will look in the real world.
Mockup tools allow you to place your cover on a 3D mockup of a book, giving you a realistic preview of how it will appear on a physical or digital shelf.
If something doesn’t look quite right, you can go back and make adjustments before you publish.
Resources to help with this
These tools and plugins can give you a clear visual reference to what your book cover will look like.
7. Make sure the visual hierarchy is on point
When we say visual hierarchy, we mean the arrangement of elements on your cover and how they guide the viewer’s eye to the most important parts first.
Typically, the title should be the most prominent feature, and the image should support the title. But the real importance is making sure that all the elements have a nice balance.
Remember, less can sometimes be more for cover design that stands out. A clean, uncluttered layout with a clear hierarchy will make a stronger impact than a cover that tries to cram in too much information.
Resources to help with this
Whether you have zero design skills or a professional pixel pusher, these are great design tools that can help with visual hierarchy.
8. Don’t be afraid of feedback!
Before you hit publish, it’s crucial to get feedback on your cover design. Sharing your work with friends, family, social media followers, or a pair of fresh eyes can catch things you might have missed, like a color that’s too harsh or a font that’s hard to read.
Getting feedback doesn’t mean you have to take every suggestion to heart, but it’s a valuable part of the process. Constructive criticism can help you refine your design and make sure it appeals to your target audience.
Resources to help with this
There are plenty of great forums to get honest thoughts on your work.
You only get one shot at a first impression
Decades ago, bookmakers spent hours folding paper and use tools bone folders to ensure every detail of their book cover was perfect. That's because they knew the importance of a first impression.
Now, while you don't even have to know what a bone folder is or even touch a piece of paper, the importance of creating a stunning first impression is even more important.
Your book cover is often going to be the first thing people notice about your project. A well-designed cover can communicate the essence of your book, attract readers, and boost sales. With the help of AI, creating beautiful book covers has never been easier.
5 practical tips to improve your visual storytelling
