Designing Book Covers

Make your book stand out on the shelf with cover designs starting at $399

What elements contribute to a great book cover?

A good book design should tell a story. The cover art will communicate a general theme of the book, while hinting at what’s to come. This allows a potential reader to visualize the story before diving into it. Essential book cover elements include bold visuals, an appealing color palette, and eye-catching font.

It’s important that the title and the author name should be legible and easy to read so that potential readers can quickly identify the title of the book and its author. Additionally, good book covers should look balanced and organized so readers feel compelled to pick up your book.

Personalized book cover design services

Who says you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover? A well-crafted cover effectively captures the essence of your book. Our skilled designers bring years of experience in print and eBook design across various genres. Whether your romance novel needs a striking cover or your cookbook requires an eye-catching design, BookBaby’s team will deliver a professional cover you’ll be proud of. Plus, our design services cover both print books and eBooks!

If you’re creating an audiobook with us, we also offer audiobook cover design as an additional service. Discover more about our audiobook options.

View samples categorized by genre

Before and After Samples

Design a book cover with BookBaby Official

  1. Request a quote (for trim size, cover style, binding, etc.)
  2. Fill out our design questionnaire
  3. Provide your own images or let our professionals use theirs
  4. Approve your proof
Printed book and eBook cover design are included in all Complete or Deluxe Self-Publishing Packages.

Our customers are thrilled with their book covers.

Quick and dependable publishing
I especially appreciated the creative design of my cover. I provided a brief description, and it truly came to life! My novel is now launched and selling. There’s more to do, but that’s okay. Thank you so much!
– Lynette, BookBaby Author

How to design your own book cover

Ensure you get it right from the start with expert tips and guidance from our design team.

“With years of experience, our designers excel at transforming book concepts into captivating covers that grab readers’ attention. Rest assured, your book will receive the same expert care from our Philadelphia-area team.”
Becky Rodgriguez-Smith,
Design Services Manager

Satisfaction Guaranteed

If you’re not satisfied with our work, we’ll keep working with you until you are.
Learn more about our promise

Frequently asked questions:

What’s the process for designing my book cover?

Your book cover is the first thing readers encounter, whether they’re picking it up off a shelf or downloading it to their Kindle or iPad. It serves as your book’s initial impression, and it should be both professional and visually appealing, reflecting the essence of your writing. For the best results, work with a professional book cover designer like our team at BookBaby.

Our design experts have extensive experience across various genres and styles, and our process is straightforward and efficient. BookBaby provides a comprehensive solution for all your self-publishing needs, including editing, marketing, and of course, cover design. To begin, reach out to us today or create a BookBaby account to request a quote.

What steps does BookBaby follow for designing a book cover?

We make crafting your unique book cover straightforward and collaborative. Whether you need a cover for a printed book or an eBook, our expert design team follows a proven process to create eye-catching, original designs.

Start by generating a quote where you select your preferred trim size, cover style, binding, and paper stock. Next, fill out our design questionnaire to give us insight into your vision for the cover. You can either provide your own images or let our team use their extensive resources. After your cover is designed, you’ll review a proof, bringing you one step closer to publishing your book.

Can a book cover design be tailored to any genre?

At BookBaby, our expert design team crafts book covers for every genre. Whether you need a captivating cover for your romance novel or a distinctive design for your memoir, our creative professionals will collaborate with you to ensure your cover effectively represents your story.

Explore our range of book styles and genres to see some of our top examples, and choose between hardcover or paperback options. From graphic novels and business books to cookbooks and children’s literature, we have the experience to create standout covers for any genre.

Can you collaborate with the designers to craft your book cover?

Absolutely! Whether you have a concept in mind or are starting from scratch, our cover designers will collaborate with you to bring your ideal book cover to life. We aim to make sure your cover matches your vision or even surpasses it, so when you publish, it feels genuinely yours.

Our collaborative approach is more personal and creative compared to automated design tools available online. You can start by uploading your own images if you wish. By working with our design team, you’ll engage in multiple discussions and provide direct input, making you an integral part of the creative process.