You’ve done the most difficult part… you’ve written a book! Now, you’re getting your book published and all you need to choose is a book cover designer to create your unique cover.
Well, you thought writing was the difficult step, but here you are. Not a clue about where to start or who best suits your style.
I really do believe that choosing your book cover designer is one of the most important steps of writing a book and I can’t imagine having to start from scratch. If you don’t have any designers in mind or you just haven’t found The One, we’re here to help!
Your cover has to speak volumes because it’s the first thing your readers will see. And yes, I am quite familiar with the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover…” but today we’re throwing that out of the window, and we will be judging every single book by its cover! Trust me when I say your future readers are also judging your cover.
Maybe not everyone, hopefully not even the majority, but plenty. I’m also guilty of buying books only because I fell in love with their covers. I knew nothing about the book or the author, I just found it really, really pretty. (don’t judge me!)
So:
- Are you looking for the best cover designer?
- Do you want to find someone who completely suits your style and personality?
- Are you in a hurry?
If you’ve answered yes to any of these, then let’s get started!
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Image may be NSFW.
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Here are the best book cover designers!
1 – Ebook Launch
Since 2011, Ebook Launch has established itself as one of the best book cover designers for self-published authors. They showcase stunning custom covers in Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi, and Thriller in their cover design portfolio.
For $497, you receive a custom book cover with unlimited changes, free 3D images, no image fees, and a high-resolution, upload-ready file. Plus, they offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee! Check out Ebook Launch here.
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Clik here to view.
2 – Derek Murphy & Creativindie Cover Design
If you’re looking for a longstanding legend of the self-publishing scene, look no further than Derek Murphy.
Derek is an indie hero for not only being a top-tier book cover designer but also a bestselling author of fiction and nonfiction alike.
Take a look at Derek’s dedicated design service here or, to immerse yourself in the world of a true book cover design mastermind, check out his CreativIndie site here.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
3 – BuzBooks
Wow! Would you look at these!? These are definitely my favourite out of their portfolio and they have a vast portfolio! I love how contrasting these are too, side by side, and how simple they seem to be.
The book title and author are more prominent in these covers but the artistry in them makes me really want to grab a copy and devour them! Find BuzBooks here.
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Clik here to view.
4 – Na Kim
I’ll say this with the best intentions ever, this cover still gives me the creeps! I’m pretty sure this was what Na was going for and I can tell you, it worked! At least, on me. Ever since I saw this book for the first time, I can’t forget it. It ties with the book title so well that it feels just like the hands laced together. It is pure genius! Find more of her work here.
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5 – LBarros
You know I just had to include a children’s book cover, don’t you? I mean, it’s a must!
And I had to find the best one, the one that I would have loved to read myself when I was little, the one I wish I had to show my kids one day. Because children are the best judges of book covers, aren’t they? They see it with their eyes first, then if the story’s good, they’ll love it even more.
This one did it for me! Contact the designer here.
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6 – Coralie Bickford-Smith
Coralie is best known for her clothbound covers and because I’m a huge fan, I had to share them with you. I’m sure you’ve seen these, I’m sure you love them too. But in the slightest chance you haven’t, here you go. Enjoy. Order them already.
Coralie is probably that artist that will shape the world of reading and take it into a different galaxy. Find her here.
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7 – Jenna Stempel-Lobell
I’m sure you’ve heard about Jenna before! She’s an absolute queen in the covers design world! You might specifically know her because of Angie Thomas’s The Hate You Give, but don’t be fooled – she’s amazing at everything she does!
Just look at these two examples… I still can’t believe how these covers exist! Please hurry up and find Jenna here.
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Clik here to view.
8 – Tanamachi Studio
I really love the beautiful, intricate designs of this studio. They’re so complex yet they work so fluidly that it’s impossible not to catch one’s eye. And what a beautiful new cover for Pippi Longstocking!
Don’t you just feel like buying it just to keep it in your collection?? Talk about judging books by their cover! Amazing job! Find Tanamachi Studio here.
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9 – Jake Nicolella
I can’t quite put my finger on what it was that drew me to this cover but I just feel so connected to it. How simple an image can be and how powerful and with such a strong message it has.
The frames just fading away with a pale background, so neutral but with a thoughtful process. That is why Jake needs to be part of this list. Find more about him and his life here.
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10 – Helen Crawford-White
I mean, how could anyone not love Helen’s work?? These book covers give me life! Such a breath of fresh air and so, so well-thought! I love how the colors meet, the sharp lines, the effect both covers have on the eye… just exquisite.
Everything looks perfect to me and what’s more is that she has a ton more beautiful covers and you can find them all here!
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11 – Isabel Urbina Peña
If you’re looking for cool fonts and lettering, Isabel is your woman! She does the illustrations and lettering on her covers herself and I’m sure we can all agree she does a tremendous job.
I especially love how simple these look, but still have something quite unique about them that it makes me want to pay attention. What do you think? Find Isabel on Instagram here.
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Clik here to view.
12 – Rodrigo Corral
Rodrigo is another big name in the design world; he doesn’t only design book covers but you probably know him for his iconic cover of The Fault in Our Stars. If that one didn’t convince you, however, you can find a couple more here and these are just stunning.
There’s a connection between the art and the novel and that you can’t just pretend, you have to feel it and transform it into a piece of art. Find Rodrigo here.
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13 – Alison Forner
Alison works at Simon & Schuster and her beautiful creations can be found in plenty of different books.
To this smart (and colorful) cover she said she’s “indulging [her] science ephemera obsession.” – we can tell! Amazing job! Find more about her and her art here.
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14 – Book Covers Art
If you’re looking for a more thriller/sci-fi/fantasy kind of cover, this company might just be the right one for you.
They have a variety of covers, all following the dark, mysterious vibes and they give you options to choose what’s best for you and your book.
Their portfolio is very complete, give them a look here.
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15 – Venanzio
I fell in love with these covers right away. There is something simple about books and life that intrigues most people and that is why I think Venanzio’s work will please many of you out there.
Sometimes the best things are simple and basic but not vulgar and I believe this is what this work shows. Contact Venanzio here.
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Clik here to view.
16 – Janet Hansen
It is hard to describe Janet’s work because I truly believe that there are no words to describe this amount of artistry and creativity. She transports the reader to the book’s universe even before turning the first page.
She makes simplicity look detailed and layered. Find more of her stunning work here.
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17 – Holly Ovenden
When I found Holly’s covers and work, I knew she needed to be part of this top list. There is no doubt about how talented she is, but what surprises me the most is how diversified she truly is.
These covers below speak for themselves! I know anyone would be so honoured to work with Holly. Get in touch with her here.
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18 – Andrei Bat
I really like Andrei’s work for the mysterious/fantasy feel too. He’s doing so well with his work and I love what he did with The Marked series.
Check out his work here.
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19 – Kate Forrester
These covers are amazing! So, so beautiful and pretty to display in your bookshelf. These books are those I could never put them next to others, I would feel the need to display their cover in a nice glass showcase. Wouldn’t you agree?
Kate does an amazing job, find her here.
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20 – John Gall
I love how John is so realistic in these covers. They look so real and 3D – I wanted to include these specifically because I haven’t seen anything like this.
If this vibe is yours, I definitely consider John Gall one of the best at this. It just looks incredible!
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Clik here to view.
21 – Sarah Kaufman
I’m a little biased here (Red Queen is definitely one of my favorite series of all time), but I have to say, the first thing I knew about this series was the cover of the first book. I didn’t know anything about the story and to be honest, I didn’t want to.
The cover made me buy it and then, I fell in love with the story. All four covers are beautifully designed, and you can feel the crowns in each one. This series proves Sarah’s talent and she deserves to do many more. Here is a link to her work.
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22 – Will Staehle
Will has done Circe’s cover and so many others. He’s different and fresh and his covers are getting better and better.
He is one of the best and his work reflects it. Contact him here.
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23 – Subsist Studios
Subsist Studios are making great covers with books that matter. They’re spicing things up with bold colors, intriguing designs and 90s-styled fonts. What else do you need in a book cover?
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24 – Stefan Sagmeister
How much more creative does one get? Apparently, Stefan has a whole category above everyone else, just for himself. I mean, how do you even describe this cover?
Am I dreaming? Did I just wake up in book covers 2.0? Definitely someone to keep in mind when looking for a designer! Here is the link to more of Stefan’s work.
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25 – Kimberly Glyder
Kimberly, to me, does the type of art I would love to include in one of my books.
It feels intimate and feminine with a perfect balance of colors. I also think she does a great job with her fonts and they complement the design perfectly.
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We hope you liked these! It was a complete task choosing these exact 24 designers because there are so many other brilliant ones out there! If you’re in the need of one, I highly recommend going with who feels right to you. Don’t narrow it down to genre because as you could see from this list, some of these brilliant designers do so much more than just one specific genre.
In the end, the choice is yours and it better be a great one!
Remember, we definitely judge a book by its cover! (even if we try really hard not to!)
Who’s your favorite book cover designer? Have you fallen in love with a book cover and hated the book? Who’s your favorite from our list? Let us know everything down below in the comments section! We can’t wait to hear from you!
Still need help? Book a call with our team to find out how Self-Publishing School can help you with you cover design and other book production services.
