by Samantha Ruchman HAVE you developed a product that you plan to sell online?
by Samantha Ruchman
HAVE you developed a product that you plan to sell online?
Is an awesome ecover all that’s holding you back from launching?
The right cover is a huge component in getting buyers interested, so it’s important you get it just right. There are a lot of elements to consider and also different routes you can take. So, where do you start?
Not to worry, we are here to help with this guide to the perfect ecover!
From images and layout to typography and tools, we’ve got you covered. By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to create a professional ecover that will help you sell your great new product.
Let’s get started.
Getting Inspiration
First things first, what do you want your ecover to look like?
Are there other packaging designs you love and would like to emulate?
Are you starting completely from square one?
An excellent way to begin is by browsing around to get ideas. Head over to Amazon and search for other products similar to yours. Then bookmark the designs you like.
This way instead of starting from scratch, you can identify designs you like and learn from products that sell really well. You will likely see a pattern in the designs you like which you can draw from in your own design. Once you have some inspiration, you may want to consider your branding.
Branding
Branding, as most of you know, is when you have a set selection of elements that personify your brand. When it comes to designs, it involves the colors, logos, fonts, and styles that are consistent across all of a company’s media.
For example, Windows uses a blue and white color scheme, a specific font, plenty of white space, and their logo consistently, and that is reflected in their product packaging below.
Do you have branding elements you want to be included in your packaging that will help customers to recognize the product as yours? Consider which elements and how you want to include them.
Type
The next things to think about are:
- The typeface you want to use
- The content that will be included
- How to organize it
What is the primary message about your product that needs to be on the cover?
A text hierarchy will allow you to communicate to your customers the most valuable information (product name and company name) to the least (product benefits). An important thing to remember is that ecovers are often viewed as thumbnails so ask yourself, what will the customer be able to read when the image is seen in a 1-inch view.
Here are a few tips:
- Keep it simple!
- Make the product name the largest
- List key benefits briefly
- Use a bold font
- Don’t use creative fonts that are hard to read
- Make your title a different color than the background
- Ensure you have the rights to use the font for publishing
- Avoid 3d effects and drop shadows as they make it harder for the eye to understand
Once you have your type all situated, it’s time to have some fun with the visual elements!
Images and Artwork
In this stage, you get to pick the art or images for your ecover. You may have to do a bit of searching to find the perfect image, you may decide you want a solid color background, or you may choose to use another type of graphic. Any of these can work.
A few things to note when it comes to the legal side of digital media:
- Check that you have or purchase the rights to the content in order to use them on a product that you sell to the public.
- Check that the content is royalty-free
Beyond that, your ecover is representative of the product inside, so ask yourself what your image tells about it.
Is it high quality?
Is it fun?
Is it simple and smart?
Is it streamlined?
Try and find the images that will communicate the characteristics of the product. Color will play a role in this as well which we’ll touch on in the next section. As far as quality, look for at least 300 dots per inch. Lastly, keep in mind the image needs to be comprehensible when seen on a 1-inch thumbnail.
Colors
Colors play a significant role in setting the tone with your audience. Similar to how images do, color can be used to tell customers about your product. Notice how the companies on the chart below are categorized according to color and emotions.
Here you can learn more about color psychology and the color wheel to help you identify which colors will work best for you.
Here are a few tips on picking your color scheme:
- Represent the tone and mood of your product
- It should look attractive and balanced
- Allow the type to be easily read
- Match your branding (if you have any)
Now for how the design will be organized.
Layout
Once you have chosen your inspiration, branding, type, images, and colors, it’s time to put it all together.
Where will the title go?
How big will it be?
How will the image be positioned?
Will you leave any white space?
Play with the components until you find a balanced and effective layout. Here it can be helpful to look back on the designs you liked from your initial research.
Get the Right Tools
Luckily, there are awesome tools available that make design easy, even for the uninitiated. One excellent option is Pixel Studio FX which lets you create designs in a simple drag-and-drop virtual environment.
It provides you with 150 fonts, 14,000 images and icons, and 250+ pre-made e-covers. This makes choosing your layout, type, and images easier than seeking them out on your own.
You can play around with your image very easily, import your photos or watermarks, and have your ecover ready for export in minutes.
With the right tools, you can take the design process into your own hands conveniently and affordably.
Final Checklist
So to review what we’ve covered:
- Perform e-cover research to find what you like
- Consider branding continuity
- Ensure your type is readable and prioritized
- Choose a unique, high-quality image that is representative of your product
- Find colors which set the proper tone
- Experiment with your layout until you find the right balance
- Use tools to make the process affordable and easy
- Sell lots of products with professional ecovers that convert!
There you have the basics of creating your own perfect ecovers! Don’t forget to check out Pixel Studio FX and let us know in the comments below if you have any other questions about the process.
Best of luck!
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