Designed for the thumbnail
An ebook cover is judged first at around the size of a postage stamp. Fine detail disappears, thin type turns to grey lines, and a busy photo becomes noise. We design at full size but check every draft at thumbnail size, and we keep the title and the main image readable at that scale.
That usually means fewer elements than an author expects: one strong image, a title set large, the author name where readers of that genre look for it. Subtitle and taglines go where they help, not everywhere they fit.
Genre signals
Readers sort books by genre faster than they read titles. Romance, fantasy, thrillers, memoir and business books each have conventions for type, color and composition. A cover that ignores them reads as the wrong kind of book, however good it looks. We start by looking at current bestsellers in your category and decide with you which conventions to follow and where to stand out.
Files you get
| File | Use |
|---|---|
| Full-size JPEG at the store's recommended dimensions | Uploading to ebook stores |
| Smaller web versions | Your website, newsletter and ads |
| 3D mockup images (optional) | Launch posts and promotions |
Store guidelines for dimensions and file size change from time to time, so we check the current requirements when we build the final files.
Questions
Can the ebook cover become a print cover later?
Yes. Tell us early if print is likely, because a print wrap needs a higher resolution image and space for the spine and back.
Do you use AI-generated images on covers?
Only if you ask for it and the store you publish with allows it. Some stores ask you to disclose AI-generated content, so we tell you what was used.
Have a manuscript ready? Tell us the genre, the trim size and the page count, and where the book will be sold.
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