Cover image

All books should have a high-quality cover image to maximize sales and to ensure the best possible consumer experience. Covers should be clear and legible at thumbnail size and when viewed in grayscale. (Marketing Insights assesses only whether or not a book’s product page includes a cover image, not its resolution or quality.)

Cover images are displayed across the web and retail environment and are frequently the first (and sometimes only) information about a book that a consumer will see before deciding whether or not to find out more.

Best Practices & Guidelines

• Image size and resolution
  Cover images should be as high-resolution as possible to minimize quality loss and ensure that the cover remains clear and sharp across different screens and devices. We recommend a resolution of 300ppi to optimize for higher-definition screens and to help future-proof your covers. (Amazon specifies that cover images should be at least 1,000 x 625 pixels, though you should create and upload the highest quality image you can. They currently accept cover image files up to 10,000 x 10,000 pixels and as large as 50MB.)
  
  
• Legibility
  Keep in mind that consumers may see the book cover without other accompanying information or text, so it needs to be able to stand alone. Key information (like the book title, the author, and brand or series name) should be easy-to-read at multiple image sizes. Make sure that the cover image is clear when viewed in grayscale (e.g. on an e-Ink device), and include a thin border for white and very light colored cover images to help them stand out against white page backgrounds. 
  
  
• Design
  The cover should be on-brand and compelling. You want to engage potential buyers and communicate the style, tone, and genre of the book.

• Pre-publication
  For pre-pub titles, consider uploading a placeholder cover image prior to the final cover reveal. Include the working book title and author name. (Amazon will typically create a placeholder image for products listed without one.)

References & Resources

• Ebook cover guidelines [Amazon]
• Book Cover Success and Failure Explained [The Book Designer]
• What Makes a Good Book Cover [Business of Illustration]
• Book Cover Design [Canva Design School]