Self-published authors are responsible for every aspect of their finished books, including the cover. Whether you work with a designer or create one yourself, having an idea of the color scheme can ensure you wind up with something that grabs readers’ attention and fits within the genre.
Standing out amid the millions of books in online store giants like Amazon and Barnes & Noble requires attention to detail. What better place to start than with your cover, which impacts public perception?
Why Should Authors Focus on Color Theory?
Picking the perfect color palette for your audience is a learned skill based on experience and A/B testing. However, some generalities you can follow will get your covers closer to what you need to make sales. Color theory is a science where designers use various hues to evoke an emotion or create impact.
For indie authors, choosing the right hues is as vital as a catchy blurb, marketing efforts and the story. It’s often the first impression on readers. Color has a far-reaching impact on marketing efforts across all business models.
When people view a product, including books, they form subconscious impressions. Researchers found that 90% of consumer judgments are based on color alone.
Choosing colors that evoke a particular emotion creates a packaging for your books that draws readers in. The feelings you want to convey may vary, depending on whether you’re releasing a feel-good novel with a happy ending or a horror book that fills the reader with dread.
Which Colors Fit Your Genre?
Start by considering what colors best suit your genre. Peruse the category on Amazon to see what other authors use and which books hit the bestseller lists. You can select the “Best Sellers” button across the top of this site.
On the new page, in the left sidebar, choose “Books.” You can then filter down by category and subcategories. For example, if you choose “Romance,” you have options such as contemporary or historical. Narrow the choices to your niche and look at the top 10 to 20 options on the bestseller list.
- Mystery/thriller/horror: Top options include dark palettes with charcoal gray, black and navy blue. Accents of blood red can imply danger or fear.
- Romance: The ideal color depends on the subgenre, but soft pastels and neutrals suggest tenderness. Steamy books may benefit from brighter colors, like red. Pay attention to the top sellers in your category as cover trends change occasionally.
- Fantasy: Jewel-toned color palettes and metallic accents of gold, emerald and silver give a nod to any magic elements.
- Nonfiction: Minimalist color palettes with blues, whites and soft grays add a sense of professionalism.
- Children’s: Picture books often use bold colors like orange, yellow and red. Chapter books can vary, depending on the subgenre.
Knowing what is popular in your category is the first step to choosing a color palette for your book or series. While it’s wise to follow trends, you also want a standout cover.
Finding the perfect mesh of falling within industry standards while still adding a fresh pop of interest is the key to grabbing reader attention.
How Many Colors Should You Use?
Answering how many different shades are needed is tricky, as many books utilize photographs that are full of color. However, it’s best to stick to two or three color choices for the fonts, background and other elements to avoid visual overload.
Should you count neutral colors? Many people see black and white as a negative space and only count other hues in their numbers. It all depends on the overall impact you want.
If you’re going for a clean, minimalistic appearance for your cover, limiting your overall numbers will provide the look you want.
As you select colors, keep in mind the cultural and emotional implications. Black might signify doom in one culture and good luck in another. Be aware of your audience and the message you wish to convey.
You can also consider the meaning of each hue and how it ties to elements from your plot. A character grieving the death of a spouse might be a good starting point for your cover palette.
Pairing a Cover With Brand Colors
Authors need brand personas. You want readers to recognize something was written by you, even if it is a different novel or another genre. Many indie authors write in more than one category to create a more reliable income.
Ensuring your covers match your author brand palette requires finesse. You must be prepared to utilize contrasting colors as well as complementary ones. Color increases recognition by up to 80%, so choose at least one shade to use on everything you publish.
Trying a different shade within a color family can create contrast and make a title pop against a background. Play around with layering so you can make your font stand out.
For example, adding a shadow of the text and placing it slightly behind the other color of the same words can give the design a three-dimensional look.
Tools like Canva allow you to outline your letters for this same effect and play around with the color choices and thickness of the lines.
Take a Step Back
Once you’ve created your cover, take a step back from your computer and view it from a distance. Save it in a thumbnail and see how it looks next to other books in your genre.
Does it pop out in a vertical or horizontal lineup of options? The more forethought you put into creating the packaging for your product, the more likely readers will respond.
Cover all Your Bases
Self-publishing is highly competitive. Finding any slight advantage increases your chances of succeeding and making a living from your writing, so be sure to pick colors that will make your book covers stand out.
