You’ve poured your heart into writing your book, spent countless hours editing and refining your manuscript—now it’s time to present it to the world. But here’s the truth: readers do judge a book by its cover. In a saturated market, your book cover can make or break your success. A poorly designed cover can hurt sales, undermine your credibility, and turn readers away before they even glance at your blurb.
Let’s break down some of the most common book cover design mistakes—and how to avoid them.
1. Using Low-Quality or Generic Stock Images
Stock photos can be helpful, but if they’re overused or low-resolution, they’ll immediately scream “amateur.” A blurry, pixelated, or cliché image tells readers that the book inside might not be worth their time.
How to avoid it: Work with a designer who sources high-quality, properly licensed images and blends them seamlessly into a custom design. Better yet, consider using unique artwork or photography that makes your book stand out.
2. Cluttered or Unbalanced Layouts
Too many elements—text, graphics, borders, and embellishments—can overwhelm a cover and confuse potential readers. A cluttered design looks unprofessional and lacks visual hierarchy.
How to avoid it: Stick to a clean, focused design. Your title, author name, and one strong visual should be the stars. A professional designer will know how to create balance and emphasis.
3. Fonts That Don’t Match the Genre
Font choice is one of the quickest ways to communicate genre. A playful handwritten font might work for a cozy romance but would feel out of place on a thriller. Illegible or decorative fonts can also hurt readability.
How to avoid it: Choose fonts that are genre-appropriate and legible at all sizes. A book cover must be readable as a full-size print and as a tiny thumbnail on digital retailers.
4. DIY Covers That Don’t Meet Industry Standards
Designing your own cover might save money upfront, but if it doesn’t meet publishing specs (for KDP, IngramSpark, etc.), you risk delays, rejections, and poor quality prints. Even if it prints correctly, amateur design tends to reduce credibility.
How to avoid it: Hire a professional who understands the technical side of publishing—bleeds, trim sizes, spine width, resolution, and color models. An experienced designer ensures your file is upload-ready.
5. Ignoring Digital Thumbnail Size
In today’s digital-first world, your book is often first seen as a tiny thumbnail on a retailer’s website. A design that looks great in print might lose all its impact when shrunk.
How to avoid it: Make sure your title is readable and your main imagery is still clear and striking at small sizes. A good designer will test how the cover performs as a thumbnail and adjust accordingly.
6. Inconsistent Branding for Series Books
If you’re writing a series, inconsistent covers can confuse readers and reduce the sense of cohesion across your titles. Series branding builds loyalty and increases the chance of a reader buying the next book.
How to avoid it: Plan your series design in advance. Use consistent fonts, layout structure, color themes, and visual motifs. A professional designer can help create a template that evolves with your story.
Why These Mistakes Matter
Your book cover isn’t just decoration—it’s your first and best marketing tool. A professional, genre-appropriate cover builds reader trust, communicates tone, and invites curiosity. On the flip side, poor design can lead to low sales, negative assumptions about your writing, and lost opportunities with retailers, reviewers, and media.
The Good News? You Can Avoid All of This.
Hiring a professional book designer ensures that your cover is not only beautiful but also functional at JohnEdgar.Design, I combine industry knowledge with creative vision to craft covers that are bold, market-ready, and true to your story. I work closely with authors and small publishers to bring their visions to life, without the guesswork.
If you’re ready to elevate your book with a cover that works for you, not against you, let’s talk.
👉 Contact me or view my portfolio.
Let’s make your book unforgettable.
