10 Common Cover Design Mistakes to Avoid (For Authors, Self-Publishers, and Children’s Book Creators)

Designing a book cover is not just an artistic task — it’s a strategic marketing decision. Your book cover is the first thing readers see on Amazon, Google, or in a bookstore. It determines whether someone clicks, reads your description, or scrolls away. A weak cover can destroy sales, while a professional cover can dramatically increase visibility and conversions.

Whether you’re publishing on Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or your own website, understanding common cover design mistakes helps you avoid costly errors and produce a cover that looks polished, engaging, and market-ready.

In this guide, we break down the 10 most common book cover design mistakes, with examples and practical tips to help both authors and illustrators create standout covers that attract buyers.

1. Using Low-Resolution or Incorrectly Sized Images

One of the most frequent mistakes new authors make is designing with low-resolution graphics. On screen it may look fine, but when printed, the result becomes blurry, pixelated, or washed out.

Why This Happens

• Images are exported at 72 DPI instead of 300 DPI

• Authors copy images from the internet instead of using original artwork

• Incorrect trim size or missing bleed

How to Fix It

• Always design at 300 DPI for print

• Use the KDP Cover Calculator to generate precise dimensions

• Save your final cover as PDF Print Ready with bleed

• Avoid stretching or enlarging small images

This simple change makes your cover instantly more professional and crisp.

2. Choosing the Wrong Fonts or Too Many Fonts

Typography is a powerful branding tool — especially for children’s books. Many amateur covers fail because the fonts look messy, childish in a bad way, or hard to read.

Common Typography Errors

• Using more than 2 font families

• Using script fonts for long titles

• Choosing fonts that don’t match the genre

• Poor spacing (kerning and line height

Best Practices

• Stick to one display font for the title and a clean, readable font for the author name

• Always check readability in thumbnail size

• Avoid cheap-looking free fonts that hurt brand credibility

Example:
A playful children’s book might use rounded, friendly fonts, while a fantasy chapter book uses serif or decorative lettering.

3. Not Matching Genre Expectations

Every genre has visual cues. A children’s bedtime story should feel cozy and gentle. A mystery novel needs contrast and intrigue. A cover that doesn’t match the genre confuses readers and reduces sales instantly.

Genre Mismatch Examples

• A horror-style font on a baby board book

• Bright neon colors on a serious educational resource

• A dark, moody palette on a cheerful children’s animal story

Fix

Look at the top 20 bestsellers in your category. Identify what:

• Colors they use

• Font styles

• Layouts

• Illustration methods

Make your cover feel familiar to readers while still maintaining originality.

4. Cluttering the Cover With Too Many Elements

New authors often try to show everything on the cover—characters, scenery, objects, taglines, badges, multiple colors — which becomes overwhelming.

Why Clutter Hurts Sales

Readers should understand your book’s theme in one second. A cluttered cover prevents this.

How to Avoid Clutter

• Focus on one main character or focal point

• Reduce unnecessary background details

• Leave breathing room around the title

• Keep color palettes simple (3–4 main colors)

Remember: Simplicity sells.

5. Incorrect Trim Size, Bleed, or Template Use

One of the most common KDP cover rejection reasons is incorrect sizing.

Mistakes Authors Often Make

• Designing without a bleed

• Using a template for the wrong page count

• Forgetting the spine width

Solution

• Use the KDP Cover Template Generator

• Set your file size exactly to the dimensions provided

• Ensure all artwork extends into the bleed area

• Keep text away from trim edges

A perfectly sized cover prevents misprints and rejection emails.

6. Ignoring Spine Design and Alignment

For books over ~100 pages, the spine becomes a major branding element. Many authors ignore it, resulting in misaligned text or a spine that disappears into the fold.

Common Spine Errors

• Text too small

• No contrast between text and background

• Busy patterns behind text

• Misaligned graphics

Tips for a Professional Spine

• Center all text

• Make sure the background colors contrast with the font

• Keep it simple if the book is thin

• Test visibility in print preview

For children’s book series, consistent spine design helps build a recognizable brand on physical shelves.

7. Poor Color Choices or Bad Contrast

Color is emotional. It determines how readers feel before they read the description.

Common Color Problems

• Too many bright or neon colors

• Low contrast between text and background

• Clashing palettes that look cheap

• Colors that don’t match the genre

Best Practices

• Stick to a cohesive palette (3–4 main colors)

• Test your cover in grayscale to see if the contrast holds

• Study bestselling covers to learn what works

Strong contrast instantly improves visibility in Amazon’s small thumbnails.

8. Weak Title Placement or Hard-to-Read Text

Even the best illustration fails if the title is unreadable or hidden behind artwork.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Placing text over busy backgrounds

• Using thin fonts with light colors

• Titles too small in thumbnail view

• Text aligned awkwardly

Better Title Placement

• Use clean space or a soft gradient behind text

• Keep the title large, bold, and centered (or top-aligned)

• Check readability in Amazon thumbnail size (~100 x 160 px)

Your title should be readable instantly — even from far away.

9. Lack of Branding Across a Series

If you’re creating a series (like many children’s book authors), your covers must look related. Many new illustrators design each book differently, which confuses buyers.

Why Branding Matters

• Makes your books look professional

• Helps readers identify your style quickly

• Increases repeat purchases

Brand Elements to Keep Consistent

• Font style

• Color palette

• Illustration style

• Character style

• Layout format

This builds trust and makes your books feel like part of a polished collection.

10. Using AI, Templates, or Generic Designs Without Customization

Many authors use Canva templates or AI art without customization. The result:
Your book looks like thousands of others.

Problems This Causes

• Lack of originality

• Repetitive designs similar to other books

• Copyright or licensing concerns

• Cheap or amateur appearance

Solution

Invest in custom cover design tailored to your story.
A unique cover increases:

• Click-through rate

• Conversion rate

• Book sales

A professional designer can create a cover that reflects your theme, characters, and brand identity — something no AI template can match.

Final Thoughts: A Great Cover = More Sales

Your book cover is the most powerful marketing tool you have. It communicates your story, your brand, and your professionalism in just a few seconds. By avoiding these common mistakes, you dramatically increase your book’s chances of standing out in a crowded marketplace.

If you're an author looking for a stunning, custom children’s book cover, interior formatting, or full book design, you can contact me through Whimsy Studios. I specialize in creating vibrant, engaging covers that help books rank better and sell more on Amazon KDP.