For a KDP book cover made with AI, generate only the illustration (no text), then build the full cover (back, spine and front) on the exact template KDP gives for your trim size and page count, add the title yourself so it stays readable as a thumbnail, and disclose the AI-generated image when you publish. Here is the method, the sizes to know and the mistakes that get files rejected.
Lire en français : Couverture KDP avec l'IA : méthode, formats et pièges
Contents
What a cover has to do
On Amazon, your cover is first seen as a thumbnail, barely bigger than a stamp. In one second it must:
- signal the genre (coloring, historical novel, planner);
- show a readable title even when tiny;
- stand out from the covers next to it in search results.
Step 1: generate the illustration alone
Ask for an image with no text and space for the title:
"Book cover illustration, a mysterious lighthouse on a cliff at dusk, painterly style, deep blue and warm orange palette, empty space at the top for the title, vertical composition, no text."
Generate several versions and test them very small. A busy image becomes unreadable as a thumbnail.
Step 2: build on the right template
For a paperback, KDP wants a single image containing the back cover, spine and front cover, with 0.125 inch of bleed all around. Spine width depends on page count and paper.
| Element | Common KDP rule (paperback) |
|---|---|
| Bleed | 0.125 in on all four sides |
| Spine (white paper) | Page count × 0.002252 in |
| Spine text | Only above 79 pages |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
The safest route: download KDP's free template (cover calculator) for your exact trim size and page count, and place your illustration on it. Our guide on how to publish a book on Amazon KDP covers this step.
Step 3: add the text yourself
- Title: large, high-contrast, in a font that suits the genre. Check it at thumbnail size.
- Subtitle: it clarifies the content ("50 calming mandalas for adults").
- Author or brand name: discreet but present.
- Back cover: a short description, and an empty area at the bottom right for the barcode KDP adds.
Typography principles are in our article on typography styles for journals and books.
Step 4: check and disclose
- No text or key element in the bleed area.
- KDP's previewer shows no errors.
- The image resembles no existing cover or known character.
- When publishing, disclose the AI-generated image, even if retouched.
A successful AI cover does not look like an AI image: it is the illustration plus your composition, your typography and your series consistency.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an AI image for a KDP cover?
Yes, as long as you disclose it as AI-generated content when publishing and follow KDP's content guidelines.
How do I calculate the spine width of a KDP book?
It depends on page count and paper. For white paper, count about 0.002252 inch per page, or use KDP's cover calculator.
Should I let the AI write the title on the cover?
It is better to add it in design software: you control the font, spelling and readability at thumbnail size.
In short
Use AI for the illustration and keep the composition, text and template for yourself. Start from KDP's template, test your cover as a thumbnail, and disclose the generated image: you get a professional cover with no surprises at review.
Lire en français : Couverture KDP avec l'IA : méthode, formats et pièges
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