Finding ways to cut through the noise of the booming book industry is often a struggle for many self-publishers. With established authors and the publishing powerhouses to compete against, you need to ask yourself how you'll encourage readers to choose your book over another. 

But what makes a book cover appealing in the first place? Your book's content should be the ultimate decider in helping readers determine whether your book is right for them. But a book cover's design features also have a huge part in the decision-making process. Your book cover should persuade readers to buy your book even before they turn the first page. It can be a true driving force behind its marketability and overall book sales. So whether you plan to sell your book in your local bookstore or with an e-commerce giant like Amazon, your cover should hint at your book's 'personality'.

But before you start planning your design, consider these book cover design ideas to help yours stand out on any bookshelf:

 

Design distinctive Dust Jackets

Dust jackets no longer function solely as a protective covering. A dust jacket's panels offer extra space to add features like reviews, publisher details and author information. They can truly enhance a reader's understanding and experience with a publication, and you can learn more about Mixam's dust jackets on this page.

 

 

 

 

Spot your book with Spot UV

Spot UV is a great visual hook for a book cover. The purpose of Spot UV is to define certain design elements of your artwork with a light, glossy sheen. We apply a coating onto your printed artwork and harden it with UV light. You can also add this finish to typography to create a luxurious, eye-catching contrast. Learn more about Spot UV here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make an impact with Metallic Foils

Foils mimic the reflective quality of metals like copper, silver and gold to bring out the key features of your book's front cover. They provide a dazzling visual and textural contrast to the rest of your artwork, and, like Spot UV, you can also apply it to text.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Layer up with a Lamination

We recommend laminations for every Book print job. We apply laminations onto printed pages to protect and elevate a book's overall appearance. For example, gloss lamination is an effective way to brighten and intensify colors on your cover, while matte can attract readers for its subtle and sleek look.

 

 

 

 

Choose Cloth Covers

Prized for their tactile and timeless appeal, cloth-covered books are suitable for one-off publications, limited editions or even a series of titles. The fabric we use is flexible and durable, so it can be bound and wrapped around the covers of your book. 

 

 

Even though you may have your own design preferences, every design decision you make should be in response to the needs of your target audience. And no - your target audience isn't 'everyone'. So research current trends, understand your audience's needs, and even collaborate with others to push your work to be the best it can be. 

For more news and inspiration, check out the array of posts on Mixam's Blog and visit our Support section for helpful guidance and advice on all things print.

Cover Image: Wild and Brave Club