How to Avoid Using Generic Stock Images for Book Covers

Some contributors have expanded their portfolios significantly, with one reporting an 80% increase in book cover images year-over-year, totaling 3,626 images by the end of 2023.

As one of the cornerstones of successful book publishing is your book cover design, its impactful impact can often hinge on being striking enough for readers and potential buyers to notice and buy your book. Unfortunately, too often, authors fall prey to using overused or generic stock images without originality that fail to capture readers' attention - this blog explores why using such imagery would not only fail your audience but could actually harm sales in general. In this blog, we also provide alternative ways of creating visually captivating book covers that stand out in today's oversaturated marketplace environments.

What Are Generic Stock Images? 

Generic Stock Images (GSIs) are pre-made images or photographs available for license on websites offering stock imagery. They are used for various purposes ranging from making content on websites to ads without personal touches being added by you or another individual. Although stock imagery can be cost-effective and convenient, using generic stock photos will leave your book cover looking generic and lacking inspiration; creating lasting memories on target readers requires creating original and interesting book covers that stand out among their competition - this means avoiding generic stock images altogether. 

Why Should You Avoid Generic Stock Images (GSIs)?

Utilizing generic stock images may lessen the unique character of your book cover design and fail to capture readers' interest.

Reducing Originality

One major drawback of using generic stock images on book covers is their failure to add individuality - something essential when competing in an oversaturated marketplace. A stock image easily identifiable across platforms becomes even less compelling when used repeatedly on other covers - effectively diluting its unique individuality.

As author and illustrator Kate McKean once said, "A great cover creates an experience, not just an image."

Improving Branding and Market Perception

Your book cover serves as an extension of your author brand, communicating the value and professionalism behind your work. A generic stock image could make the book appear less professional; readers might question its quality due to this perception gap. In contrast, custom-designed covers show that you take great pride in producing an exceptional product.

As author K.J. Charles states, “A book cover has to do one thing above all: tell people that this book is worth their time and money.”

Fostering Reader Trust and Meeting Expectations

Readers want to feel at ease when purchasing books. An eye-catching cover helps establish reader confidence that its contents match up to high standards; on the other hand, generic covers could cause readers to doubt your commitment to producing quality work. Your book cover should meet expectations by drawing readers in with images that portray the tone, themes, and genre of your story.

"The cover should evoke the genre and style of the book, helping the reader make an informed decision before even opening the pages," says graphic designer Annie McMahon.

Avoiding Legal and Licensing Risks

Stock images come with specific license agreements that must be respected when used commercially, which includes paying any associated fines imposed. By consulting a book cover design service, all legalities related to commercial usage will be taken care of, with your book cover fully licensed for commercial usage.

How to Identify Overused Stock Images

Recognizing common stock images can help create an original and professional book cover design that stands out in an increasingly saturated marketplace.

Conducting a Reverse Image Search

Running a reverse image search can help determine whether an image has been used too frequently in other books and articles online, with services like Google Images or TinEye providing this service. Upload an image for comparison against what else it has appeared online before making your choice; if multiple authors or unrelated contexts have used it then that image may not be best for use as your book cover choice.

Browsing Bestseller Lists

Browsing bestseller lists in your genre can give you an idea of which covers are popular among readers. If a single stock image appears multiple times across bestsellers, chances are it has already become overdone and should be avoided. Most successful authors and publishers invest heavily in customized or exclusive images, so analyzing bestseller lists will allow you to spot trends and identify any stock images that have already become worn-out and overused.

Checking Stock Image Download Counts

Stock image websites usually list how often an image has been downloaded; if this number reaches into the thousands or hundreds, that indicates its widespread usage - in such instances you should look for alternative imagery so your cover doesn't blend in with everyone else using identical visuals.

Alternatives to Using Generic Stock Images

Discovering creative alternatives to generic stock images can help you craft a book cover that represents the work in an outstanding and personalized manner.

Commissioning Custom Illustrations

Commissioning custom illustrations is an excellent way to stand out from generic stock images and craft something truly original for your book cover. A skilled illustrator will bring your ideas and story alive while adding their artistic flare. Custom illustrations can especially benefit genres like fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction, where custom images help visually represent complex worlds or characters.

Opting for Exclusive Stock Photography

When selecting photography as the subject matter for a project, one way of avoiding generic stock images without custom work is selecting exclusive license images from stock image providers. They allow buyers to obtain unique images without fully custom work being necessary; many image providers even provide such options at higher costs to ensure your cover stands out among a saturated marketplace.

Exploring AI-Generated Art

AI art is an exciting, relatively recent alternative to stock images that are quickly growing more popular among authors and their audiences alike. Thanks to recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), authors can now generate original artwork tailored perfectly for their book themes and story arc using tools such as DALL*E 2 or Midjourney, which produce high-quality, unique art that could serve as book covers - being cost-effective as it produces one-of-a-kind results with each book cover produced using this innovative process. AI art may yet take its fullest potential, but once it fully matures as a cost-effective solution for creating unique covers,

Investing in Professional Cover Design Services

Hiring professional book cover design services is one way to avoid generic stock images. A designer will work closely with you to understand the themes, tone, and target audience of your book before creating a completely custom cover that perfectly encapsulates what it stands for - something generic stock images simply cannot achieve. 

As design expert Sarah Stone states, "A book cover is the first conversation a reader has with your book. 

Tips for Creating a Unique Book Cover

Designing an engaging book cover requires carefully considering design choices that capture the spirit and essence of your narrative yet still make a first impression in an increasingly competitive market.

Adhering to Genre Expectations

While it's essential that book covers stand out, they also must conform with genre expectations. Every genre has specific visual cues readers expect to encounter: romance novels typically use soft colours and intimate imagery, while thriller novels may employ darker tones and bold typography - by understanding these conventions, you can craft covers that still meet audience expectations while standing out as unique works.

Using Symbolism and Metaphors

Book cover design uses symbolism effectively; using metaphors or symbolic imagery such as broken clocks in time travel novels or keys on mystery covers to convey an essence without giving too much away is just one example of its effectiveness.

Paying Attention to Typography and Layout

Typography plays an integral part in making your book cover legible and captivating, from font selection to its placement - fonts should complement both overall design and book tone, while its layout should guide a reader's eye naturally through it all.

Testing Your Cover with Your Target Audience

Once your cover design has been finalized, it's advisable to test its success among your target audience. You could do this through beta reading or conducting a poll among potential readers - their input will allow you to refine and make sure it resonates with those that matter the most: your future readers.

Conclusion

Your book cover design is an integral component in selling your book and should receive careful consideration. Steer clear of generic stock images that fail to express the unique nature of your story by investing in custom illustrations, exclusive stock images, or AI-generated art - or using an established book cover design company- instead, creating something memorable that captures its spirit while making an impression first impression for potential readers & book cover design and printing company. After all, they often see only your cover once. Make it count by investing in designs that demonstrate its quality and creativity.