Custom Book Cover Printing Options

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

If you’re a self-published author, you already know how important it is to have a stylish, attractive cover. Like it or not, people do judge a book by its cover. That means as a self-published author, you have to make sure your cover is designed to stand out and attract your ideal reader’s attention.

Whether you’ve tried your hand at cover design in the past or you’re new to self-publishing and aren’t sure what your options are, you’ll be glad to know that you have a variety of choices available. Here are some of the most common printing options available to make your book cover look as sleek and professional as possible.

Paperback or hardcover?

The first all-important question you’ll need to consider is whether or not you want to publish a paperback or hardcover book. Each one has a range of options within it to help make your cover design look unique and stand out.

Paperback

Standard paperback books are the most common and most cost-effective way to get your self-published book into print. Paperback is typically heavy paper or cardstock. You’ll need to decide between a matte or glossy finish when having a paperback book printed.

A matte finish gives you a smooth, non-reflective service which is great for creating a subtle, professional, sophisticated look. On the other hand, a glossy finish really makes colors stand out, and is ideal for high-resolution images or photography.

Hardcover

Hardcover books are more durable and can have a custom dust jacket printed to include the same information that they’d have as if they were paperbacks. A dust jacket also adds a premium look and feel to your book.

Printing options

Self-published authors typically choose Print On Demand for easier, faster printing and distribution. Print On Demand is not only faster and cost-effective, but it also gives authors the ability to make last-minute design changes if needed.

Finishing options

Think of finishing options as the icing on the cake when it comes to printing your book. These include options that truly take your book cover printing to the next level, including:

• Embossing or debossing?: Embossing raises the surface of the cover design, giving it a 3D effect. Debossing does the opposite, impressing the design into the cover itself, creating an indentation. These look great for titles, author names, or specific graphics to make them stand out.
• Foil stamping: Adds a metallic finish to part of the cover. Often silver, gold, or copper in color, it’s used for decorative accents and titles, and looks great when combined with a matte design.
• Spot UV: This printing technique adds a glossy coating to specific areas of the cover, like an image or title. It’s a nice, subtle way to catch the eye without being overwhelming.
• Die-cutting: This process cuts out shapes or patterns on the cover and gives a sneak peek into the first page. It’s an interesting way to subtly get the reader’s attention and tease them about what’s inside.

Sizing and trim

The traditional book sizes are typically 5.5” x 8.5” or 6”x 9”. This is known as the “trim” of the book. If you’re designing your own cover, you’ll want to be sure to have at least a 0.125” bleed on all sides. This helps you avoid any potential white edges after your book is printed. Use print marks and guides to make sure your cover design (especially the text) appears within safe margins. The last thing you want is for it to get cut or cropped off!

Cover design

Before your new book cover is ready to be printed, you need to be sure it’s formatted correctly. It’s a good idea to work with a professional to ensure that your book cover design is exactly the way you want it. In working with a professional designer, you can be sure that your book cover design is high resolution and ready for print. Your designer can also format your book cover as an eBook design, which is perfect for promoting your book on your website or on social media.

Getting started with a custom book cover design is a moment worth celebrating. You’ve gotten this far on your own, and now your dream is about to become reality! Whether you decide to go with a simple paperback and a matte finish, or something more elegant with embossed text and foil stamping, you’re in complete control every step of the way.

How to choose a Print On Demand service for publishing your book

So far, we’ve talked a lot about cover design and printing options. The good news is, you don’t have to choose from lots of different services in order to self-publish your book. You can get your book properly formatted, have the interior professionally designed, get your cover design, and even have your book printed on demand through BookBaby.

At BookBaby, we specialize in book printing, book cover design, and book marketing for self-published authors. We invite you to browse our extensive collection of book cover designs for all different types of genres to inspire you before you have your own book printed.

We also understand that first-time self-published authors are new to the process, and that it can be overwhelming. How do you know what to choose? Who do you turn to if you have questions? Our design, printing, and marketing experts are here for you every step of the way. We can walk you through the process, helping you with formatting, proofing, and troubleshooting.

Plus, when working with BookBaby, you keep 100% of your royalties. Compare this to other third-party Print On Demand services and the fact that they take anywhere from 35-70% per sale, and it’s easy to see how BookBaby can help you keep more of your royalties in your pocket! Contact us today to learn more about having your custom book cover printed and sent directly to your readers throguh our Print On Demand services.