From Moodboard to Final Cover: Inside the Book Design Process

Last updated: October 18, 2026

The book cover design process usually moves through four stages: discovery, where the designer learns about your book and market; concepts, where initial directions are developed; refinement, where feedback shapes one direction into a finished design; and delivery of final files for ebook, print and marketing. Knowing the stages helps you give the right feedback at the right time and avoid delays.

Key takeaways

  • Discovery is where most of the important decisions are made.
  • Concepts show possible directions. Choose one before refining details.
  • Consolidated, specific feedback leads to faster, better results.
  • Final files should include every format you need, at the correct specifications.

What happens during discovery?

In discovery, the designer gathers what they need to understand your book:

  • Your brief: genre, readers, summary, mood and key imagery.
  • Reference covers and what you like about them.
  • Research into your subgenre's current bestsellers.
  • Technical details: formats, trim size, page count and platforms.
  • A moodboard of colors, textures, images and type to set the direction.

A good brief makes discovery much faster. See our book cover design brief template.

How are concepts developed?

The designer creates one or more initial concepts, rough or semi-finished versions showing different directions. For example, one might be illustrated and character-focused, another symbolic, another type-led. At this stage, look at the big picture:

  • Does it say the right genre?
  • Does it capture the mood?
  • Does it work at thumbnail size?
  • Which direction feels most like your book?

Avoid getting stuck on small details like exact colors or font sizes during concepts. Those come in refinement.

How should feedback be consolidated?

  • Gather all opinions, including from a partner, agent or beta readers, before replying.
  • Send one clear message per round.
  • Describe problems rather than prescribing fixes: "the mood feels too dark for a rom-com" rather than "make it pink."
  • Separate must-change items from preferences.
  • Respond within the agreed timeframe so the schedule holds.

Conflicting feedback from several people can stall a project. Decide who has the final say before you start.

What happens during refinement?

Once you choose a direction, the designer refines it: adjusting composition, color, type and detail. The number of revision rounds depends on your agreement. When the front cover is approved, the designer builds the full print cover with the spine and back, once the final page count is known. For KDP paperbacks, that means adding 0.125 inch of bleed and setting the spine width from page count and paper type (Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, n.d.-a).

What files should the author receive?

  • Ebook cover: high-resolution JPEG or TIFF. KDP recommends 2,560 by 1,600 pixels in RGB (Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, n.d.-b).
  • Print cover: print-ready PDF with spine and back, sized to your platform's template.
  • Hardcover cover or jacket, if needed.
  • Marketing images: 3D mockups, social media graphics or a flat front cover for promotion, if included.
  • Source files, if your agreement includes them.

At Cihaiyura, once a design project is paid in full, the final cover and assets are yours to use on every edition and in your marketing.

How long does it take?

It varies with the style and the number of revisions. An illustrated cover generally takes longer than a photo-based or type-led design. As an illustrative example only, a simple project might move from brief to final files in a few weeks, while a complex illustrated cover can take longer. Your designer should confirm the schedule in writing.

For what makes a cover work, read what makes a book cover look professional. Cihaiyura's custom cover design follows this process for every book. Book a free consultation to start yours.

References

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. (n.d.-a). Create a paperback cover. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201953020

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. (n.d.-b). Create an eBook cover. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G200645690

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