Cover Image Requirements

Technical specifications and design best practices for your book cover.

Technical Requirements

• Recommended size: 1600x2400 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 2:3 (portrait orientation)
• File formats: JPG or PNG
• Maximum file size: 10MB
• Color mode: RGB
• Resolution: 72 DPI minimum (higher is better)

Why 1600x2400?

This size meets or exceeds requirements for all major retailers: Apple Books (1400px min), Google Play (1600px recommended), Kobo (1600x2400), OverDrive (1600x2400 min).

Design Best Practices

1. Test at Thumbnail Size

Resize your cover to 100x150 pixels. Can you still read the title? Is the imagery clear? Does it stand out?

2. Typography Matters

• Use large, bold fonts for the title
• Ensure high contrast between text and background
• Avoid script fonts unless very large

3. Follow Genre Conventions

• Romance: Couples, vibrant colors, script fonts
• Thriller: Dark tones, bold typography, mysterious imagery
• Fantasy: Illustrated or photographic, magical elements
• Non-fiction: Clean, professional, clear benefit statement

Creating Your Cover

DIY Options

• Canva — Templates and easy drag-drop design
• Adobe Express — Professional tools, templates
• BookBrush — Book cover mockups and templates

Professional Designers

• Reedsy — Vetted professional designers
• 99designs — Design contests, multiple options
• Fiverr — Budget-friendly designers (check portfolios)

A professional cover typically costs $200-$500 but can significantly impact sales. Readers judge books by covers.

Image Licensing

Make sure you have rights to all images. Use stock photo sites (Depositphotos, Adobe Stock, Shutterstock). Never use images from Google Image Search without permission.

Common Cover Problems

• Upload fails: Compress to under 10MB, convert to JPG or PNG
• Rejected by stores: Ensure at least 1600x2400px, 2:3 portrait aspect ratio
• Text too small: Increase font size, test at thumbnail
• Low contrast: Use contrasting colors for text/background

You can update your cover after publication — new cover propagates to stores in 2-5 days.

Supported File Formats | Uploading Your First Book | Updating Published Books