Covers sell the promise in one glance
Readers decide in a second. Your cover must signal genre, mood, and professionalism at thumbnail size. Beautiful detail that disappears at 120px wide is wasted.
Brief the AI like an art director
Include genre, mood, color direction, subject, and what to avoid (clutter, unreadable text baked into the image, wrong era). Generate several variations, then pick for clarity — not only for “wow.”
- Study top 20 covers in your category on Amazon
- Match their visual language without copying a specific design
- Keep the focal subject simple and centered for thumbnails
- Prefer strong contrast between title and background
Typography usually needs a second pass
If the model burns text into the image, regenerate without title text and add typography in a design tool — or use a cover workflow that separates art and type. Misspelled or warped titles kill trust instantly.
Export sizes that stores accept
Ebook fronts are typically tall rectangles (commonly around 1600×2560 or similar store guidance). Print wraps need full jacket dimensions. Always check the store’s current specs.
AI Book Maker includes an AI book cover generator aimed at bookstore-style fronts you can regenerate until the genre fit is right — then attach it to your manuscript before export.
FAQ
Can I use AI cover art commercially?
Check your tool’s license and the store’s policies. Keep records of prompts and exports. Avoid trademarked characters or logos.
How many cover versions should I test?
Generate a handful, shortlist 2–3 that read clearly as thumbnails, then pick with feedback from target readers if possible.