What are we thinking is an ideal size for a cover?

Gregg Bell · 11-18-2013, 11:03 PM

Everybody wants big covers nowadays. But if you're submitting all kinds of places it would be cool if one size worked for everybody. Right now Draft2Digital, which submits to Amazon, Apple, B&N,Kobo wants 1600x2400. But KDP wants 1563x2500. So according to that, the 1600 of the 1600x2400 would be too long and the 2400 too short.

But then again D2D submits to Amazon and they,again, want the 1600x2400.

Any thoughts on this?

AnemicOak · 11-18-2013, 11:16 PM

Last I checked while Amazon mentions 1563 x 2500 pixels as "ideal" size it's not required. They also say (or at least did) that the longest dimension should be at least 1000 pixels (which is a lot less than 2500) so 2400 is fine length wise (just depends on what aspect ratio you want your cover to be).

kennyc · 11-19-2013, 07:55 AM

Yep, I make mine 2500 x 15xx or so depending....I generally work on them at higher resolution in Photoshop and save a jpg at the appropriate size. In checking I see my most recent one for Growing Up Stories was actually 3467 x 2600 (for whatever reason?) but The Poet of Utah Park was only 1000 x 750 ?? (maybe that's why it's not selling so well

)

I also create a thumbnail to use as needed about 200 x 1xx or so...

VydorScope · 11-19-2013, 09:24 PM

Bah. You are thinking to hard.

1600x2400 vs 1563x2500 does not matter that much. Pick one, and roll with it. My are all 1563x2500 and I upload them everywhere.

Gregg Bell · 11-19-2013, 10:16 PM

Thanks guys. Feel a lot more comfortable about it now. Appreciate it.

nikkie · 11-22-2013, 09:58 PM

Mark from Smashwords blogged about cover sizes a bit ago. Since we have to deal with almost all cover size requirements with various retailers, he does a solid wrapup.

Apple requires the shorter side (the width) to be at least 1400px. I'd *personally* suggest that when you ask for the art from your cover artist, you request it be at least double that (2800px short side) and then scale down when you upload if you want your cover art to be future proof. The new tablets and retina screens will soon be wanting bigger covers from us.

Final note; the higher quality and resolution of your cover, the more likely it is that Apple will pick your book when they select books to feature.

Gregg Bell · 11-24-2013, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikkie

Mark from Smashwords blogged about cover sizes a bit ago. Since we have to deal with almost all cover size requirements with various retailers, he does a solid wrapup.

Apple requires the shorter side (the width) to be at least 1400px. I'd *personally* suggest that when you ask for the art from your cover artist, you request it be at least double that (2800px short side) and then scale down when you upload if you want your cover art to be future proof. The new tablets and retina screens will soon be wanting bigger covers from us.

Final note; the higher quality and resolution of your cover, the more likely it is that Apple will pick your book when they select books to feature.

"Future-proof." Is there any such thing? Yeah, everybody is wanting bigger and bigger, but the problem is often times digital photos (used for covers) are not available in humongous sizes and, for me, working with paint.net, it is straining working with 1600X2400. Oh well. We do the best we can, right? Thanks for the input. Appreciate it.

mr ploppy · 11-24-2013, 02:58 PM

Amazon used to be happy with 600x800 until they brought one of them tablet things out. Big covers cost more in transmission charges, and I doubt many people ever look at them in the actual reading device.

kennyc · 11-24-2013, 03:06 PM

I do! I love great covers!

They are very important in attracting, selling and summarizing the book.

nikkie · 11-24-2013, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

"Future-proof." Is there any such thing?

Nope! But you can buy yourself a few years by planning a bit ahead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Yeah, everybody is wanting bigger and bigger, but the problem is often times digital photos (used for covers) are not available in humongous sizes and, for me, working with paint.net, it is straining working with 1600X2400.

Yes, that is understandable. Maybe the Gimp will serve you better? I haven't tried it on Windows recently. Dunno. I try to let artists deal with that stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Oh well. We do the best we can, right? Thanks for the input. Appreciate it.

You're very welcome.

11-18-2013, 11:03 PM	#1
Gregg Bell Gregg Bell Posts: 2,264 Karma: 3917588 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Itasca, Illinois Device: Kindle Touch 7, Sony PRS300, Fire HD8 Tablet	What are we thinking is an ideal size for a cover? Everybody wants big covers nowadays. But if you're submitting all kinds of places it would be cool if one size worked for everybody. Right now Draft2Digital, which submits to Amazon, Apple, B&N,Kobo wants 1600x2400. But KDP wants 1563x2500. So according to that, the 1600 of the 1600x2400 would be too long and the 2400 too short. But then again D2D submits to Amazon and they,again, want the 1600x2400. Any thoughts on this?

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11-18-2013, 11:16 PM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Last I checked while Amazon mentions 1563 x 2500 pixels as "ideal" size it's not required. They also say (or at least did) that the longest dimension should be at least 1000 pixels (which is a lot less than 2500) so 2400 is fine length wise (just depends on what aspect ratio you want your cover to be).

11-19-2013, 07:55 AM	#3
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,872 Karma: 118716293 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Yep, I make mine 2500 x 15xx or so depending....I generally work on them at higher resolution in Photoshop and save a jpg at the appropriate size. In checking I see my most recent one for Growing Up Stories was actually 3467 x 2600 (for whatever reason?) but The Poet of Utah Park was only 1000 x 750 ?? (maybe that's why it's not selling so well ) I also create a thumbnail to use as needed about 200 x 1xx or so...

11-19-2013, 09:24 PM	#4
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	Bah. You are thinking to hard. 1600x2400 vs 1563x2500 does not matter that much. Pick one, and roll with it. My are all 1563x2500 and I upload them everywhere.

11-19-2013, 10:16 PM	#5
Gregg Bell Gregg Bell Posts: 2,264 Karma: 3917588 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Itasca, Illinois Device: Kindle Touch 7, Sony PRS300, Fire HD8 Tablet	Thanks guys. Feel a lot more comfortable about it now. Appreciate it.

11-22-2013, 09:58 PM	#6
nikkie Guru Posts: 614 Karma: 73700 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: WA, USA Device: Android, Kindle Paperwhite, lots of ancient readers	Mark from Smashwords blogged about cover sizes a bit ago. Since we have to deal with almost all cover size requirements with various retailers, he does a solid wrapup. Apple requires the shorter side (the width) to be at least 1400px. I'd personally suggest that when you ask for the art from your cover artist, you request it be at least double that (2800px short side) and then scale down when you upload if you want your cover art to be future proof. The new tablets and retina screens will soon be wanting bigger covers from us. Final note; the higher quality and resolution of your cover, the more likely it is that Apple will pick your book when they select books to feature.

11-24-2013, 02:58 PM	#8
mr ploppy Feral Underclass Posts: 3,622 Karma: 26821535 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, tha noz Device: 2nd hand paperback	Amazon used to be happy with 600x800 until they brought one of them tablet things out. Big covers cost more in transmission charges, and I doubt many people ever look at them in the actual reading device.

11-24-2013, 03:06 PM	#9
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,872 Karma: 118716293 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	I do! I love great covers! They are very important in attracting, selling and summarizing the book.