Step 7 of 13 · Polish

Cover art

Your cover is the first thing a listener sees, usually as a tiny thumbnail. AI image tools (Midjourney, DALL·E, Adobe Firefly, Leonardo) make a pro-looking cover cheap and fast; a designer brings brand consistency. Whatever you use, meet distributor art specs (typically 3000×3000 px, RGB, no logos/URLs/explicit info) and disclose AI art where required.

The steps

  1. 1Design for the thumbnail: bold focal point, high contrast, legible tiny.
  2. 2Generate or commission options; keep your artist name/title typography consistent.
  3. 3Export 3000×3000 px RGB JPG/PNG, no watermarks, URLs or store logos.
  4. 4Check it reads in grayscale and on a busy feed.
  5. 5Disclose AI-generated artwork if a platform or contest requires it.
🤖 AI path

Midjourney/Firefly/Leonardo produce striking covers fast; Firefly is trained for commercial-safe use.

🎤 Indie path

A designer or photographer gives a cohesive visual brand across releases.

🔗 Where they meet

Distributor art specs and thumbnail-first design apply to everyone.

The verdict

AI image tools make a thumbnail-ready cover cheap and fast — just hit the 3000×3000 spec, design for the tiny size, and disclose AI art when asked.

FAQ

What size should cover art be?

Most distributors require 3000×3000 px square, RGB, with no logos, URLs, pricing or explicit terms in the image. Always check your distributor's exact spec.

Can I use AI-generated cover art commercially?

Usually yes, but it depends on the tool's licence — Adobe Firefly is designed for commercial-safe output. Check each tool's terms, and disclose AI art where required.