Why you SHOULD judge a book by its cover

The age-old adage, "Never judge a book by its cover," serves as a reminder of the importance of looking beyond surface appearance. But let's face it –we all find ourselves drawn to the visual appeal of a book cover at times. That initial visual impression holds significant sway. It's not just about protection; it's about the first glimpse of what lies within.

Think of a book cover as an introduction. Just like meeting someone new, that first impression matters. Colours, fonts, and images – all hint at the genre and mood of the content. This principle holds true not only for literary and fictional works but also for educational and academic books. In these cases, a well-designed cover can enhance the accessibility and appeal of complex subjects, making them more inviting and approachable to readers.

With the UK publishing around 669 million physical books last year, a well-designed cover stands out like an attractive stall in a busy market. There's a clear link between a good cover and sales. A cover that sticks in your mind can really catch the eye. So, whether it's a love story, a comic, or a textbook, having a strong cover is pretty important.

What makes a good book cover?

Now, let's consider: What actually makes a good cover? There are several elements that come together to create one.

• First, the cover needs to be visually appealing. This means that it should have a thoughtful design that captures the eye, helping it stand out on shelves and igniting the curiosity of passers-by, encouraging them to pick up the book.
• Secondly, the cover should accurately reflect the book's contents. A mere glance at the cover should provide readers with a clear sense of what the book is about, assisting potential readers in deciding whether it aligns with their interests or not.
• The cover should be appropriate for the target audience. A cover for a children's book, for instance, would naturally differ from that of an adult novel.
• Lastly, it needs to be high-quality. A poorly designed or executed cover can do more harm than good because it might give the impression that the content inside the book is equally lacking in quality and attention to detail. Remember, the cover serves as a preview of the overall book's value and professionalism. In a highly competitive market, where readers have numerous options, a low-quality cover could deter them from choosing that particular book.

However, there's more to a book cover than just its appearance. The physicality of a book cover can also play a significant role in its overall appeal.

In a time when digital reading has gained popularity, the tactile sensation of holding a physical book still holds a special place in the hearts of many readers.

In fact, a study conducted by Oxfam in 2021 involving 2,000 respondents from the UK showed that nearly half (46%) of them derive enjoyment from physically turning the pages of a book, while 42% find comfort in the feel of a physical book in their hands.

By integrating these techniques into cover design, a simple protective layer transforms into an interactive and inviting gateway to the world within the book.

What makes a bad book cover?

Now that we've discussed the elements that contribute to a successful book cover, let's explore what characteristics can result in a bad one.

1. First, when designing a great book cover, remember that less can often be more. Too many images, shapes, words, colours, or fonts can be visually overwhelming. Instead, opt for a single, well-chosen image that conveys a cohesive message. This will give readers context and a visual cue for what they can expect. The same applies to colours and fonts—stick to a maximum of two fonts and avoid conflicting colour combinations within a single design.

2. Secondly, try to avoid giving away too much information. If the reader has been able to glean everything about the book from the front cover, then there is no reason to read it. Again, less is more.

3. Finally, don't forget about your target audience. Your personal aesthetic preferences might not necessarily align with those of your readers. While a particular style might resonate with you, ensure that it also has an appeal for your intended readership.

It is not just the actual front cover you need to think about. The spine of the book often gets overlooked, but it is best to think of it as a kind of concentrated book cover. Books aren't always displayed in bookstores or libraries with the front facing out. Sometimes, all people see is the spine. If your spine lacks creativity and doesn't captivate, it might go unnoticed—especially if it's sandwiched between two attention-grabbing books. So, it has to be just as attention-grabbing and effective as the front cover.

You also need to consider the various other versions of the cover you may need - hardback and paperbacks will differ marginally. However, square tiles used for online bookstores and marketing will need to be reformatted to carry across the branding and important details. It is a skill to take the key elements from a rectangular-shaped cover and turn it into a square format that works across multiple channels.

You also need to ensure that the back cover and jacket follow across with the same key visuals and are seen as an extension of the front cover and spine.

Arguably, the most important aspect is the overall quality. If you work with a designer who is not up to the job, the quality of the final work may not be up to scratch. This is why it's important to team up with skilled and experienced designers who can complete the job and do so with excellence.

What printing techniques are available?

The cover design process is intricate, encompassing various steps and techniques that collectively contribute to crafting a tactile and appealing cover. Understanding what printing techniques are available to you is really important if you are planning to elevate the tactile feel of the cover in some way. Working with a printer and understanding what processes they need, as well as what printing budget you have to play, is really important to plan and think about ahead of the final designs being chosen. It will also help you craft a cover brief for the designers who can weave their design outcomes in an appropriate way to maximise the final printing options chosen. And for these techniques below, you will need to ensure the correct templates and layers are set up to enable these printing formats to be used as the finishing touches.

·? Lamination: Arguably, the most common finish is lamination, as it makes it appear more professional while also offering more protection.

·? Foil Stamping: Malleable metallic material is applied to the print surface to add a decorative touch and add a little bit of luxury to your project.?

·? Embossing: This is a type of finishing where you must raise some parts of the printed page for added emphasis and texture.

·? Letterpress or Debossing: This is where certain parts of the cover are indented to tactile effect, enhancing the visual and sensory experience.

·? Thermography: This is where you add a raised finish to a chosen area of the cover to introduce subtle texture and depth, contributing to its overall appeal.

Varnishing is another important factor—available in either matte or glossy, depending on your needs. Glossy varnishing is ideal for improving the appearance of printed photographs or images. On the other hand, matte varnishing delivers a smooth, non-glossy surface. There are other varnishing techniques as well, however. These include:

·? Silk Varnishing: This type of varnishing represents the middle ground between the above two varnishing methods.

·? Machine Sealing: Machine sealing is an invisible coating that is applied to a printed material by a printer.

·? UV Varnishing: In this type of varnishing, the ultraviolet technique is applied to produce a transparent finish to your printed materials.

·? Spot UV varnishing: This type of varnishing highlights some parts of the printing and draws user attention to that particular part of the design.

·? Textured Spot UV Varnish: In this type of varnishing, a designer not only mixes the textures on the same printed surface but also tries to reinforce the tactile properties of the product they plan to depict.

?As you can see, there's much to consider, highlighting the value of partnering with experienced designers and printers.

emc design's approach to cover design

At emc design, our main goal is to craft engaging and educational materials that empower learners worldwide. With over 30 years of experience in publishing, our influence has played a significant role in shaping the industry.

Our team includes four qualified cover designers, along with two currently in training and an additional seven individuals available when needed. We utilise a dedicated Teams channel to collaborate and gather feedback throughout the design stages.

We use the initial brief to gather information and spark our creative process. The designer must understand your choices and preferences, whether communicated in the brief or discussed in meetings.

Once that is done, we can embark on the design process. Each designer has their unique approach – some prefer to sketch straight onto the computer with a graphics tablet, and others are more traditional with simple pencil and paper. Mood boards are created to capture the desired look and feel for the cover. Typography is refined, progressing from early scribbles.

The cover undergoes multiple rounds of evaluation, with a minimum of three cover meetings, sometimes more. Then, we generate three cover concepts for each project: a safe option, an adventurous take, and a middle-ground approach.

Once we have received final approval, the rest of the cover is crafted, including the spine, back cover, and endpapers. We recognise that quality determines success.

Our in-house creative services team places a strong emphasis on quality control throughout the entire process, ensuring that every piece leaving our studio meets our and our clients' high standards. We know the frustration of missed corrections, so our in-house production editors diligently review our work to minimise oversight.

By working with emc design, rest assured that your book covers will be favourably judged by those who value quality.

At emc design, we're pleased to provide the cover design as part of our comprehensive service offerings. If you require our assistance now or in the future, please feel free to reach out without any hesitation.