Master Crime Thriller Book Covers in Affinity Publisher

Walk into any library or bookshop and you’ll notice that each genre has its own general ‘style’ for cover designs. Though each cover is different, elements on the cover create a sort of code that enables the reader to assess what the book will be about. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to design a book cover for the Crime/Thriller fiction genre and explore how you can create a genre-appropriate design using typefaces, tools and tips available to you in Affinity Publisher.

In this class, we’ll be creating a cover for a paperback (softcover) book, with B‑format dimensions (5.06 x 7.81 inches [130 x 198 mm]) and a 16 mm spine. It will also be suitable for an eBook cover as the single front page is just right.

1. Set Up the Layout of Your Cover in Publisher

In this step, we’ll be creating a cover for a paperback (softcover) book, with B‑format dimensions (5.06 x 7.81 inches [130 x 198 mm]) and a 16 mm spine.

Note: You can adjust the width of the spine to suit your own purposes by using the Spread Properties (Page Tool) to adjust the width of the document later.

Step 1

Open Publisher and go to File - New. Select a Print preset to suit our exercise. A5 is probably good. We're going to Change it anyway.

DO NOT press Create yet to create the page.

In the New Document window goto the Pages tab, and set the number of Pages to 1, then uncheck Facing Pages.

From the Page Pre-set drop-down menu right at the bottom, select the New Category icon.

Create a Category named Custom. It will appear at the bottom of the list. Just click on the new category name to be sure you have it selected.

Now Go back to your New Document Layout tab and Set the Width to 130 millimeters and Height to 198 millimetres And Select Prefer Embedded.

DO NOT press Create yet.

Go to the little icon to the bottom left of the Page Pre-set drop-down, and select Create Pre-set.

Type B-Format Paperback into the Name text box and select the little drop down menu to select your new Custom category. When you are sure you have the Preset name right, and it’s intended category right, click OK

If you don’t select Custom, the preset will be placed in the Print category. The one that’s ticked by default, because that’s where you found the original A5 one.

OK will Create the Preset.

When you are finished setting up, your preset category will be saved, and you can open a new document and apply the pre-set easily. This is the industry standard print size for a B-Format Paperback

DO NOT press Create yet.

When you are finished setting up, your preset category will be saved, and you can open a new document and apply the pre-set easily. This is the industry standard print size for a B-Format Paperback

DO NOT press Create yet.

Back in the New Document window, set the Margins to 8 millimeters on all sides, and set the Bleed to 3 millimeters on all sides.

DO NOT press Create yet.

Check that all measurement are ok, in Layout, Pages, Colour, Margins and Bleed.

When you are sure all is well REMEMBER to click on the icon on the top right. `Notice the * next to the name … that means there are unsaved changes

Now it’s good.

Now you can click on Create at the bottom of the page.

This page is the correct size for the front of your cover only. Though we will want to submit a whole cover to the printer, complete with spine and back cover, it’s a really good idea to design your front cover only at first. This allows you to judge better how the cover will look from a reader’s perspective when the book is on display in the bookshop. You can faintly see the Bleed, and Margins.

We’ll use the Document Setup Tool later in the tutorial to include the spine and back cover on the document. But for now, let’s work on the front cover alone as it is.

Finally in this section, From the left-hand Ruler drag a vertical guide out to 65 mm. This marks the centre point of the front cover, which is helpful for when you start to place elements on the page.

Add a Layer (Layers -> New Layer or Lower Right -> Add Layer) and click in the Layer 1 to Rename the layer as Background Image

Select the Rectangle Picture Frame Tool (F) and drag to create an image frame 58 mm in Width that extends across the page, meeting the edge of the Bleed at the Top, Bottom and Right sides, with the left-edge of the frame sitting just past the centre point of the page, as shown below.

Go to File > Place and select a suitable image for the backdrop of your cover. Choose something that would work well as a wallpaper across the back of the page, with no significant features or people in it, and also that had a threatening, claustrophobic feel. Use the Icy Backdrop that I have put in the archive on my website, and facebook files page.

Make sure the Photo in its Frame is selected as shown by the blue dots and frame around it

Arrange the photo in the frame using the Properties icon in the top control panel.

With the frame selected, Right Click on the object, go to Layer Effects -> Gradient Overlay. Keep the Type as Linear and set the Angle to 180 degrees. Manoeuvre the Gradient Stops into place as shown.

With the frame selected, Right Click on the object, go to Layer Effects -> Gradient Overlay. Keep the Type as Linear and set the Angle to 180 degrees. Manoeuvre the Gradient Stops into place as shown. Set the opacity to 50%

Click on the Gradient Icon to access the Gradient Stops tool. Manoeuvre the Gradient Stops into place as shown. Set the opacity to 73% You will have to adjust these settings to suit your needs.

Go to the Layers panel right side, and highlight the Background Image layer. Select Duplicate to make another copy of the layer.

Select this duplicate Image Layer and rename it Background Image Left. Drag it to the left side of your page, keeping it within the bleed borders on the left.

Select the image frame and right-click or Control-click > Transform > Flip Horizontal. Position this second frame to the left side of the page, mirroring the first image frame.

Grab the left edge of the new frame and drag it so that it meets the Trim edge of the page. You won’t need to allow for a Bleed on this side of the page, as this is where the edge of the spine will sit.

This also keeps the centre of the page aligned, whereas if you move the entire image to the right, it will not be symmetrical in the middle of the resulting image.

Look carefully, you can see the Left edge is on the Trim, not the bleed.

Both images - left and right - meet on the centre guide line

Even though we already have a gradient effect applied to the images, any typography we apply to the cover will still likely get lost amongst the high contrast of the dark branches and white snow.

Return to the Layers panel and Lock the Image layers.

Click the Create New Layer icon at the bottom right of the panel. Click the default layer name and rename the layer as Front Cover Artwork. Click OK.

Click the Create New Layer icon at the bottom right of the panel. Click the default layer name and rename the layer as Front Cover Artwork.

Select the Ellipse Tool and, holding Shift, drag to create a perfect circle about 113 mm in diameter. Position this centrally on the page, using the Guide as a reference position the top of the circle, at Y position 42 mm.

Set the Fill Colour to [White].

With the circle shape selected, Select Transparency Tool (Wine Glass). Set the Type (upper left) to Radial, click on white eclipse and move the Gradient Stop into position as shown below, so the gradient appears very soft. Adjust to suit your image.

Select the circle shape and Edit > Copy, Edit > Paste. It will paste over the top of the first circle - observe in the Layer Panel. Either hold Shift to resize the circle or edit the measurements, resizing the circle to 44 mm in diameter.

Position this second shape at the top right corner of the page, as shown. We will be layering a tagline over this a little later. I’ve selected the circles so they show clearer here.

Step 1

Go to the Layers panel and Select and Lock the Front Cover Artwork layers.

Select the Add Layer icon and name the layer Typography.

Step 2

We want to introduce three parts to the front cover text: the title, the author name, and a tagline. Let’s work on the title first.

First up, let’s select a typeface that’s going to work well on our Winter Thriller cover. Look for something that looks dramatic when set in All Caps; a strong sans serif will grab the reader’s attention.

Here I’ve chosen Futura Std (Book).

Select the Text Tool (T) and drag to create a small text frame 25 mm in Width and 12 mm in Height. Type ‘The’, set the Font to Futura Std, Book (Regular), Size 40 pt, Tracking to -60 and set the text in All Caps. Position the frame to the top left of the central white circle, at Y position 60 mm, as shown below.

Open the Swatches panel (Window > Color > Swatches) and click the New Swatch icon at the bottom right of the panel. Create a new CMYK Swatch, setting the percentages to the following values: C=19 M=98 Y=89 K=10. Click OK. Set the text to this new red swatch.

Create a second larger text frame using the Type Tool (T), about 100 mm in Width and 26 mm in Height. Type ‘Winter’, set the Font to Futura Std, Book (Regular), Size 86 pt, Tracking to 80 and set the text in All Caps.

Step 3

Select the layer with WINTER written in it.

Now place your Skull image in a layer above it, and then drag it down to fill the word WINTER using WINTER text as a mask

You might need to double-click in the text to directly select the image and right‑click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS) > Transform > Rotate, to get the image orientated correctly in the text.

Manoeuvre ‘Winter’ on the front cover, positioning it just below the first text frame, as shown below. Make sure the text boxes are positioned properly so they balance on the page.

Step 4

Create a third text frame using the Type Tool (T), about 100 mm in Width and 35 mm in Height. Type ‘Killer’ into the frame and set the Font to Futura Std, Book (Regular), Size 115 pt, Tracking to -40 and set the text in All Caps. Set the Font Color to C=19 M=98 Y=89 K=10.

Position the frame just below the ‘Winter’ text frame, as shown.

As a final touch, select this text frame and go to Effects > Outer Shadow. Introduce a very subtle drop shadow to the ‘Killer’ text by setting the Mode to Normal, Opacity to 25% and, set the Radius to 3 mm. (35pt)

Step 5

Select the ‘Killer’ text frame you’ve just created and go to Edit > Copy and Edit > Paste. Adjust the Font Weight to Light Condensed, Size to 48 pt, Tracking to 90, Align Center and Font Color to White.

Adjust the text to ‘Jack Vicious’. You will need to change the font size to compensate. Position the frame towards the bottom of the page at Y position 167 mm. You can go to Fx > Outer Shadow, as before, and increase the Opacity of the shadow to 65% and Size to 5 mm.

Step 6

Finally, create a tagline for the front cover by selecting the Type Tool (T), and creating a text frame about 20 mm in Width and 17 mm in Height. Position this frame at the top right corner of the page, as shown below.

Type ‘An isolated cabin in the woods. (paragraph break) A family seeking reclusion. (paragraph break) A killer on the loose.’ and set the text to Align Right.

Set the Font to Futura Std, Book (Regular), Size 15 pt and Leading to 18 pt. Highlight the first two lines of the text and set the Font Color to [Black]. Set the Font Color of the final line to C=19 M=98 Y=89 K=10, to give visual emphasis.

The front of your cover is complete, and it’s looking great! Now is the time to make any minor adjustments to the layout, until you’re happy with the outcome. Once you’re happy, you can start putting together the rest of the cover...

Step 1

It might be a good idea to duplicate Page 1 of your document in order to keep a copy of the front cover alone.In fact it’s a good idea to actually save your work at this point, and then Go to File -> Save As and save the entire document at a file with a different name. ie; FrontPageOnly

To make a duplicate of your existing Page 1 click on Page 1, then click on Duplicate Page

continued

option 1

Click Page 2 of the document to bring it up on screen. Select the Document Setup from the Selection panel and click once on Page 2 of the document to select it.

In Spread Setup you will see two Spreads. Spread 1 and Spread 2. Check Selected Spreads and it should highlight Spread 2 (page 2) or simply select Page 2.

Now, navigate to the control panel and adjust the Width of the page to 276 mm. This will allow for a back cover at the same width as the front cover (130 mm) plus a 16 mm-width spine.

continued

Now, navigate to the control panel and adjust the Width of the page to 276 mm. This will allow for a back cover at the same width as the front cover (130 mm) plus a 16 mm-width spine.

continued

or….

Select Page 2, and Ctrl-Click on the page. The Spread Properties option will popup.

continued

Select Page 2, and Ctrl-Click on the page. The Spread Properties option will popup. Enter the measurement

Unlock all the layers in the Layers panel.

Select all the elements on the page by Selecting all the Layers.

Using the Move tool, move them along to the right until the image frames meet the edge of the right-hand bleed. Re-lock your Layers.

Step 2

From the left-hand Ruler, pull out a vertical Guide to 130 mm, to mark the left edge of the spine. Pull out a second Guide to 65 mm, marking out the centre point of the back cover.

You can also pull out Guides to 138 mm and 122 mm, to mark out the centre point of the spine, and the right-hand margin of the back cover. You can see the markers as you drag the bar. Place you cursor on the left hand ruler and hold and drag to the right.

Go to View, Lock All Guides,

Design the Spine

Note: In this tutorial, we will be creating a spine with a contrasting colour to the rest of the cover. Therefore, it is very important that the spine’s dimensions on the artwork match the dimensions of the printed and bound spine exactly. When creating your own artwork for print, be sure to ask your printer to give you an accurate width for your spine before creating your cover artwork.

Step 1

Return to the Layers panel and Lock all the existing layers. Create a New Layer, renaming it as Spine Artwork. Move this layer to sit below the Typography layer and above the Front Cover Artwork layer.

Select the Rectangle Tool (M) and drag to create a frame 16 mm in Width that sits between the Guides marking out the edges of the spine. Extend the Length of the frame so that it extends to the top and bottom bleeds.

Set the Stroke Color to [None] and Fill Color to C=19 M=98 Y=89 K=10.

Step 2

Select the Picture Frame Tool (F) and drag to create an image frame 16 mm in Width, as before, and 58 mm in Height. Position the frame at the bottom of the spine, resting the bottom edge on the edge of the bleed.

Set the box colour to Transparent if not already the default.

Select the box you have just placed.

Go to File > Place and select the skulls image, as we used earlier for the front cover. The image should fill the rectangle.

You will notice the blue outline of the image over the spine marker box you just created. No image yet.

Select the Transparency Tool. That’s the Wine Glass on the left side.

Select the image in its Layer Panel.

With the blue frame showing, place the pointer exactly on the bottom of the rectangle at the centre point, and you will see a Dot and a Green vertical line appear with a dot on the bottom intersection of the vertical and horizontal line. carefully click and drag the marker toward the top of the rectangle. The red background will appear, and you will slowly move it toward the top of that frame.

Step 2 continued

Select the image frame and Edit > Copy, Edit > Paste, before shortening the Length of the frame to about 25 mm and positioning it at the top of the spine. Switch the Angle of the gradient to -90 degrees, so the image fades downwards.

Step 3

In the Layers panel, Lock the Spine Artwork layer and Unlock the Typography layer. Select the Type Tool (T) and drag to create a text frame 8 mm in Height and 45 mm in Width. 

Type ‘Jack Vicious (Author Name)’ and set the Font to Futura Std, Medium Condensed, Size 25 pt, in Character set Tracking to 90, All Caps and Font Color to [White]. Select the text frame and Control-click (Mac OS) > Transform > Rotate 90 degrees CW. Position the text frame centrally on the spine

Select the text frame and Edit > Copy, Edit > Paste. Alter the text to ‘The Winter Killer’, the Font Weight to Light and Tracking to 0. You may need to extend the Length of the text frame to accommodate the text. Position the frame centrally on the spine, just below the author’s name.

6. Create a Back Cover

Your cover’s starting to look more complete. Now, all that’s left to do is to put together the design for the back of the cover.

Step 1

Return to the Layers panel and Lock the Typography layer. Unlock the Image layer. Select the Picture Frame Tool (F) and drag to create a frame 133 mm in Width and 102 mm in Height. Position the frame so that it covers the top half of the back cover, meeting the edges of the bleed to the top and the left.

You may notice I’ve created a group called Images - for the cover images used.

Next…

Go to File > Place and select the winter trees image we used earlier, for the front cover. Arrange the image proportionally in the frame.

Go to Transparency. Position the marker dot on the TOP Bleed line. No image will be visible. Now, click and drag the Position Dot downward and slowly expose the image until you are satisfied.

Select the image frame and Cmd-C (copy), Cmd-V (paste) to create a duplicate of the image and frame.

Click and Drag the frame to the lower half of the page and > Flip Vertical.

If the image is slightly misplaced, Manoeuvre this second image frame to the bottom of the back cover, allowing the top edge to meet the bottom edge of the first image frame.

Step 2

In the Layers panel, Lock the Image layer. Create a New Layer, naming it as Back Cover Artwork. Position this below the Typography layer and above the Spine Artwork layer.

Step 3

Remaining on the Back Cover Artwork layer,  select the Ellipse Tool (L) and, holding Shift, drag to create a perfect circle 113 mm in diameter. Set the Stroke Color to [None] and the Fill Color to White

With the shape selected, click Transparency Tool (wine glass)> Click centre dot in shape.. Go to Top Left nav bar. Set the Type to Radial. Click on the oval shape just to the right of Type Radial. It displays a selection interface. Now, go to the top right of the colour display and set the colour to White.

Go back to the Type -> Oval Settings interface and drag the slider all the way to the right.

Center the circle shape on the back cover, resting the left edge against the left-hand margin and the right edge against the 122 mm Guide.

Step 4

You will need to place a barcode on the page if you are intending to sell the book in shops. 

Create a white frame using the Rectangle Frame Tool (F) and File > Place a generated barcode image. Ensure the barcode image is large enough to be scanned with ease, and don’t crop the code too closely around the edges in case any of the code’s data becomes illegible. I made this one 20mm by 45mm. It’s a genuine barcode from one of my books. Look it up if you like! Hey. buy a copy…

I also created a second frame just below the barcode, set in C=19 M=98 Y=89 K=10. This is a suitable place to insert pricing for the book using the Type Tool (T).

Step 5

Lock the Back Cover Artwork layer and Unlock the Typography layer. 

Select the Ellipse Tool (L) and, holding Shift, drag to create a circle shape 88 mm in diameter. Set the Stroke and Fill Color to [None], and position the circle centrally on the back cover, right over the white circle.

Convert the circle to a text frame, Select the Type Tool (T)  Type the book’s blurb, setting the Font to Futura Std, Medium, Size 12 pt, Leading 14.4 pt (Auto), Align Center, and Font Color to [Black]. You can highlight the first few lines of the blurb and make them slightly bigger, around 13 pt, and pull out the first line in Bold and a red swatch (C=19 M=98 Y=89 K=10).

If you want your text on  the back page to conform to the Circle

you draw, do the following.

Draw your circle of 88 mm

Go to Layers -> Convert To Text Frame

Enter your text.

7. Export Your Book Cover for Print

Great work—your cover artwork is complete, and it looks awesome!

Now all that’s left to do is to export the artwork to PDF, ready for printing. 

Step 1

Go to File > Export... to open the Export window. Select PDF (Print) from the Format drop-down menu.

Name the file and click Save.

In the Export PDF window select PDF (for print). In the Area section, select Current Page - you must have the double spread page highlighted, as it’s the one you want if you’ve kept a copy of only your front cover on Page 1

Maybe you saved the Front Page Alone in a separate file. That’s ok. You just want this double spread page.

Include bleed. Tick the box.

Well done! You now have your book cover ready to be sent to the printers. You can choose to print your cover on coated or uncoated paper stock, both of which have their own unique look and tactile feel. Communicate with your printer before you send the artwork to print, to receive samples and/or their advice on paper stock and weight.

In this tutorial, we have learnt how to create an attention-grabbing, genre-appropriate book cover for a winter crime thriller. The design traits for this genre include a bleak, photographic background and high-impact sans serif text rendered in bold blood-red and bleak monochrome colours.

Good use of gradients give the cover a sense of mystery, and give the whole cover a blizzard-like appearance, with pops of cold white light.