Let’s Talk Book Covers: DIY vs. Pro Design (and Why I Used Canva)

Here’s the truth no one wants to say out loud: your book will be judged by its cover. Before the blurb, before the first line, before your beautifully tortured protagonist makes their debut, readers are already eyeing that front image and making a snap decision. So let’s talk about book covers—the good, the bad, and the budget-friendly.

The Big Question: DIY or Hire a Designer?

When it comes to self-publishing, you’ve got a few options.

1. Hire a Professional Cover Designer

Expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $1,000 or more. You’ll get polished work, often with multiple drafts to choose from. This route is ideal if you’ve got a clear vision and some cash to invest.

2. Buy Pre-Made Book Covers

These usually cost $50 to $200. Designers sell ready-to-go covers that just need your title and name added. They look good, but you sacrifice originality.

3. Use a Design Tool like Canva

This is what I did, and here’s why I’m glad I went that route.

Why I Chose Canva (And Don’t Regret It)

I didn’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on a custom cover. More than that, I wanted full creative control. Canva gave me flexibility. I could tweak fonts, test colors, and obsess over every single detail like the neurotic book-parent I am. I sourced royalty-free images, layered textures, and played with dozens of layouts until something finally clicked.

Was it easy? Absolutely not. But I learned more about visual storytelling and branding than I ever expected.

What Makes a DIY Cover Actually Work?

If you’re designing your own, keep these things in mind:

• Genre matters. Know the visual language of your category. For thrillers, think bold text, dark backgrounds, and tension. For romance, softer hues and emotional cues work better.

• Don’t cram too much in. One strong image is more effective than five weak ones. Aim for clarity.

• Font choice is everything. Avoid Comic Sans, Papyrus, or anything you wouldn’t see on a bestselling book at Barnes & Noble.

• Test your thumbnail. Most people will see your cover on a tiny phone screen. Make sure it still works at that size.

Here’s Mine: The Shadows Within

The Shadows Within Cover

This is the final design I created for my debut psychological thriller, The Shadows Within. I blended eerie textures, fractured imagery, and a strong emotional undertone to reflect the story inside.

Blurb:

Evergreen Falls is a town steeped in secrets, where the mist lingers too long, and the shadows stretch just a little too far. Riley Harper has spent his lift feeling like an outsider in his own home, haunted by a restless mind and the nagging sense that something is missing. But when a fateful night leads him deep into Shadowood Forest, Riley finds himself trapped in a deadly game with a creature born of whispered legends and childhood nightmares.

The Shadows Within is available wherever books are sold.

Grab it now on Amazon:

• Ebook – $4.99

• Paperback – $14.99

• Hardcover – $19.99

Final Thoughts

If you’re working with a tight budget, DIY is a valid choice. You can always update your cover later if the book gains traction. What matters most is that the design matches the tone and genre of your story—and that it feels right to you.

I’m proud of my Canva cover. It reflects the heart of my book, it didn’t break the bank, and most importantly, I finished it.

Thanks for reading. Now go write weird shit!

—Rufus Watson