Designing a book cover is one of the most exciting milestones on your publishing journey—but it can also feel overwhelming if you’re not sure what your designer needs from you. A brilliant cover doesn’t happen by luck. It’s the result of clarity, communication, and a little bit of prep work on your part.

Whether this is your first book or your fifteenth, being organised before you hand your brief to a designer will save you money, speed up the process, and—most importantly—help you get a cover you love.

Here’s what to gather before you hit “send”.

1. Your Book’s Core Identity: Genre, Tone & Audience

A designer’s first question is always: What kind of book is this?

Your genre sets the visual language. The tone sets the mood. Your audience determines what the cover needs to promise.

Prepare:

• Primary genre (e.g., cozy fantasy, YA sci-fi, dark epic fantasy)
• Sub-genre (if relevant)
• Comparable titles (“My book is similar to Fourth Wing meets The Stardust Thief”)
• Tone words (whimsical, gritty, atmospheric, romantic, hopeful)
• Target audience (Who will pick this up? Why?)

This gives your designer the “visual grammar” to speak to the right readers.

2. A Summary That Actually Helps the Designer

Your designer doesn’t need your entire manuscript—they need the essence.

Provide:

• A short pitch (1–3 sentences)
• A one-paragraph summary
• The central conflict and vibe (e.g., “Slow-burn rivals-to-lovers with heists and shadow magic”)

This helps the designer understand what emotional promise the cover should make.

3. Key Visual Elements You Do or Don’t Want

Designers love clarity, and nothing slows the process like guessing.

Include:

• Must-have elements (e.g., a blue rose, a phoenix, a star map, a cozy cottage)
• Must-avoid elements (faces, weapons, certain colours, etc.)
• Symbols or motifs from the story
• Important aesthetic themes (ornate, minimalist, painterly, cyberpunk neon)

If you have examples of covers you adore—or dislike—include those too. Designers don’t copy them; they interpret your taste.

4. Use Pinterest as Your Secret Weapon

If you’re not already using Pinterest for cover inspiration… start. Immediately.

Pinterest is a treasure trove for:

• Moodboards
• Colour palettes
• Typography styles
• Fantasy aesthetics
• Cover layouts
• Motifs and symbols

You can create a private board for:

• Covers you love
• Covers that reflect your genre standards
• Elements that feel “right” for your story
• Art styles or vibes you want your designer to explore

Sharing this board with your designer gives them instant insight into your taste—and dramatically speeds up the process. Even five minutes a day on Pinterest during your drafting phase will give you a strong visual vocabulary to communicate what you want.

5. Technical Specs: Size, Format, and Use Cases

This is the practical part most authors forget… and it’s the part that often delays projects.

Come prepared with:

• Trim size (5×8, 6×9, etc.)
• Paperback, hardcover, or both
• Print provider (KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital print)
• Estimated page count (for spine width)
• Other design needs like:
  • eBook
  • Dust jacket
  • Audiobook cover
  • Social media graphics

Even if some details aren’t final (and they often aren’t when you are waiting on editors etc), estimates help your designer plan the layout correctly.

6. Your Author Name & Series Info

Your designer needs to know:

• Your author name exactly as it should appear
• Series title
• Book number
• Tagline (optional) or blurb text (even a placeholder blurb works)

7. Your Budget, Timeline & Revision Expectations

This is essential for a smooth collaboration.

Share:

• Preferred timeline (especially if you have launch deadlines)
• Budget, if your designer has tiered options
• How many revision rounds you expect

Clear expectations mean far fewer surprises.

8. Your Inspiration Folder (Even Better With Pinterest Included)

Alongside your Pinterest boards, you can include:

• Book covers with similar vibes
• Art references
• Colour palettes
• Typography screenshots
• Visual motifs from your story

This isn’t about dictating the design—it’s about giving your designer raw materials to spark ideas.

Why Preparation Matters

When you hand your designer a clear, thoughtful brief, you get:
✨ Fewer revisions
✨ Faster turnaround
✨ A cover that reflects your book’s heart
✨ A smoother, less stressful experience

And most importantly—you walk away with a cover that feels like magic.

Final Tips

• Start gathering references as soon as you begin writing.
• Pinterest is your best friend for building a visual language.
• Don’t apologise for having preferences; designers love direction.
• Stay open—your designer may spot ideas you never expected.
• Remember: your cover is your first marketer. Invest in it.