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Design and visual creative

Book Cover Design

Design professional ebook and paperback covers for self-publishing authors.

Beginner-IntermediateAbout 16 to 22 hours over 3 to 4 weeksRoute A: $0. Route B: about $20/month.

What you will get

You will have 5 sample covers, a brief template, print-size know-how, a menu and outreach.

4 phases, 9 tasks, 4 copy-and-paste prompts, 5 tools reviewed, plus a list of places to find your first buyers.

Choose your route

Route A - $0
Canva Free and licensed free images where allowed.
Route B - about $20/month
Paid design tools and licensed stock.

Straight talk

Cover rules differ by platform; paperbacks need exact dimensions and a spine. Do not use images you do not have a licence for. Per a third-party summary, KDP requires disclosure of AI-generated cover art.

Roadmap

  1. 1
    Study genre covers 75 minA notes sheet on 20 covers.
  2. 2
    Design five samples 360 min5 covers with print specs.
  3. 3
    Find people to offer it to 150 minA list of 20 real prospects and 10 messages sent.
  4. 4
    Price it, agree and deliver 75 minA one-page offer, a price, and a delivery checklist.

Free sample

The first task of phase 1 in full, so you can judge the style before you buy.

Studyclaude

  1. Pick 3 genres. Look at top sellers' covers.
  2. Paste notes into the prompt below.
PROMPT: Cover patterns
From my notes on 20 covers in [genre]: [paste], list common colours, fonts, layouts and typical mistakes.
YOU SHOULD SEEA genre style note.

Everything else, unlocked with purchase

Phase 1: Study genre covers
Study
Phase 2: Design five samples
Design front covers · Add spine and back
Phase 3: Find people to offer it to
Pick 3 places to look · Build a list of 20 · Set up free alerts · Write and send 10 short messages
Phase 4: Price it, agree and deliver
Set a first price · Write the agreement and delivery checklist
Safeguard checks, tool reviews with free and paid limits, and named places to find buyers.

Draft guide. Researched from public sources and not tested by running the business. For educational purposes only: this guide does not guarantee or promise any earnings. Tool facts checked 6 Nov 2026; confirm before you pay for anything.

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