Custom book covers are one of the quickest ways to catch a reader’s attention. An attractive, well-designed cover often makes the difference between a book that gets picked up and one that gets passed over. Ultimately, your design should convey the essence of your book, hint at the story or content within, and evoke emotion. In this guide, we’ll equip you with top design tips to help your custom book cover shine.
Dust Jackets
Dust jackets are detachable outer covers that are both protective and decorative. Traditionally used to protect hardcover books from damage, they have become integral to book marketing, providing additional real estate for design and information.
Dust Jacket Typography
Typography communicates the tone and genre of your book at a glance. Your text's style, size, and placement can influence a reader's first impression. For example, a historical novel might benefit from a classic serif font (letters with small lines or strokes) that evokes a sense of tradition and gravitas. Sans-serif typography (letters without lines or strokes) is effective for works that need a modern or minimal look. Additionally, consider the positioning of your text on the dust jacket's spine, front, and back. The spine, in particular, should be clear and legible from a distance, as it’s often the only part of the book visible on a bookshelf.
Dust Jacket Illustrations vs. Photos
Illustrations can create a sense of wonder and timelessness, making them ideal for genres like children’s books. They offer a level of abstraction that allows readers to imagine the world within your book. Photographs, on the other hand, offer immediacy and realism, making them well-suited for cookbooks. A photograph can provide a visual cue and ground the reader in a specific time and place. Whichever option you choose, ensure the imagery aligns with your book’s theme and enhances the overall design.
Dust Jacket Branding
Consistent use of design elements is essential to dust jackets for cohesiveness. Consider maintaining a uniform colour palette, using the same typeface for your titles, or incorporating a recurring graphic element or logo. When a reader sees one of your books on a shelf, they should immediately associate it with you and other works if you have them to foster brand loyalty and encourage repeat purchases.
Spot UV
Spot UV is a liquid coating cured with ultraviolet light, partially applied to prints to highlight specific design elements and to contrast against matt or uncoated surfaces. It is often used in high-end publications and adds visual and tactile appeal. Beneficial for works such as graphic novels and art books, Spot UV adds an extra touch of elegance that elevates the overall reader's experience.
Spot UV Typography
Spot UV can transform a simple design into something more sophisticated and luxurious. Applying Spot UV to typography text elements is a striking way to catch the light and draw attention to your cover. This technique works well for a book’s title or the author’s name, giving them added emphasis.
Spot UV Imagery
Spot UV can also be applied to images or illustrations to add depth and dimension. For example, in a cover design featuring a complex pattern or detailed illustration, Spot UV can highlight specific areas, making them appear almost three-dimensional.
Metallic Foils
Whether it’s a minor detail or a central design feature, metallic foils are a bold choice for adding a touch of sophistication to your book covers. They can transform a simple design into something that boosts a book’s perceived value. Metallic accents can enhance thematic elements and convey professionalism and authority, making the book feel more polished and credible, ideal for special editions, collector's items, and gift books.
Metallic Foil Typography
The reflective nature of the foil catches the light and draws attention to the main cover design features. The key is to balance metallic foils with the rest of your design—too much foil can be overwhelming, while just the right amount can create a striking effect.
Metallic Foil Imagery
Metallic foils add depth to the simplest cover details. For instance, if your cover features an ornate border, you can enhance intricate patterns with metallic foils. This technique is ideal for covers that want to make a statement and leave a lasting impression. For both text and images, foil coverage should use a 2pt line width with no more than 25mm for optimum results.
Watch our YouTube video tutorial to discover how to set up Spot UV and Foil files with Adobe InDesign and Illustrator:
Lamination
Lamination is a finish applied to a printed page that protects and enhances your book cover's colors and overall aesthetics. Highly recommended for all custom-printed books, especially those intended for frequent use, lamination minimises scratches, scuffs, and general wear and tear, ensuring your book remains in excellent condition. It’s particularly beneficial for books sold in physical stores, where covers may face frequent handling by potential buyers. Additionally, lamination can significantly enhance the vibrancy of colors and the sharpness of images, making your book more visually appealing and attractive to potential buyers.
Gloss vs. Matt
Gloss lamination gives your book cover a high shine. It’s an excellent choice for covers that feature impactful, colourful designs or detailed photography, as the gloss enhances these elements and makes them pop.
Matt lamination, on the other hand, offers a more subdued and sophisticated finish. Matt lamination is suitable for books needing a refined, understated look. It also has a slightly textured feel, which can add to the tactile experience of holding the book.
Watch this video for a complete summary of Mixam’s cover finishes (availability varies per country and product).
Cloth Book Covers
Cloth book covers are ideal for special editions, luxury books, or any publication meant to be a keepsake or a work of art. The timeless appeal of cloth complements the enduring nature of the content, making it a popular choice for works that carry significant value or meaning. They convey a sense of quality, permanence, and craftsmanship, enhancing the book's overall prestige and appeal.
Clock Book Cover Typography
Typography on cloth book covers can be a delicate balance between readability and aesthetic appeal. The texture of the cloth adds a distinctive dimension to the design, so it’s important to choose fonts that complement this surface. Delicate or intricate fonts, while elegant, may not be as visible or impactful on a textured surface. Thicker, bolder fonts will work best as they stand out more clearly against the fabric and clearly show the book’s title and author’s name.
Cloth Book Cover Imagery
Cloth covers often feature minimalistic designs, with simple yet powerful imagery that complements the texture and cloth colour. Rather than detailed illustrations or photographs, consider using a small, embossed logo, an emblem, or a symbolic image representing your book's content. These elements can be subtle but impactful, creating a sense of mystery and allure. For instance, a single, embossed tree on the cover of a nature-themed book can be far more evocative than a detailed photograph, allowing the texture of the cloth to speak for itself.
Watch celebrity photographer Sam Dameshek’s flip-through video of his cloth-covered book.
Conclusion
A well-designed custom book cover is more than just a marketing tool—it reflects the care and creativity that went into the book itself. From the typography to the tactile qualities of the cover, you can create a book that captures attention and leaves a lasting impression. Whether you’re making your first book, a special edition, or releasing a new title in a long-running series, these design tips will help you create a custom book cover that stands out.
Discover Mixam’s book printing options on our Books homepage. You can also check out the array of posts on Mixam's Blog and visit our Support section for helpful guidance and advice on all things print.
Main Image Credit: Nick Gentry (@nickgentryart)
