🎨 Best Book Cover Design Tools for Authors

Your book cover is often your first — and most powerful — marketing tool. Whether you’re designing your own or collaborating with a professional, these tools can help you create covers that grab attention and reflect your genre.

💡 This post is part of our Ultimate Tools for Authors series. Explore tools for writing, publishing, promotion, email marketing, and more.

Best Book Cover Design Tools for Authors

🖌 1. Canva

Best for: DIY covers and social media graphics Visit →

Canva’s drag-and-drop interface and wide range of templates make it perfect for authors designing their own covers, teasers, or promo graphics — even on the free plan.

📷 2. Book Brush

Best for: 3D mockups, cover design, and ad graphics Visit →

Created with authors in mind, Book Brush lets you create promotional images, book trailers, and cover mockups quickly. Their Cover Creator tool is ideal for beginners.

🧱 3. Adobe Photoshop

Best for: Pro-level control and customization Visit →

If you have design experience or work with a pro designer, Photoshop offers full creative freedom. A steep learning curve — but unmatched flexibility.

🎯 4. DIY Book Covers

Best for: Free templates and 3D cover mockups Visit →

Run by Derek Murphy, DIY Book Covers provides fantastic free tools for creating 3D mockups and professional-looking flat covers. Perfect for indie authors on a budget.

📘 5. CoverVault

Best for: Free PSD cover mockup templates Visit →

CoverVault offers high-quality, free Photoshop templates to create stunning book cover mockups — ideal for promotional materials and website display.

🎨 6. Affinity Publisher & Designer

Best for: Affordable alternative to Adobe toolsVisit →

Affinity’s design suite rivals Adobe at a fraction of the price — a great one-time purchase for authors who want more control without ongoing subscriptions.

🤝 7. 99designs & Fiverr

Best for: Hiring professional designers

Visit 99designs → Visit Fiverr

Both platforms let you find experienced cover designers across price ranges. 99designs is best for running contests; Fiverr offers quick one-to-one hires.

🧠 Bonus Tip:

Your cover should look right for your genre, stand out as a thumbnail, and communicate your book’s tone instantly. Test your cover in Facebook groups or with ARC teams before finalizing.