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The Problem With Stock Image Book Covers

How using popular stock images can ruin a book’s unique design.

Shelby Sullivan
7 min readJan 18, 2023
Image created by author

Book covers are often the first thing that catches a reader’s eye, making them a crucial aspect of a book’s marketing strategy.

However, using stock images on book covers has become a common problem in the industry, as it can make the cover appear generic and unoriginal.

In this article, I want to explore the frequent use of stock images by budget designers on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork and how it can affect the uniqueness of a book cover.

I will also discuss the limitations that self-published authors face in terms of financial resources and the use of custom photography.

Through this article, I hope to shed light on the issue and offer insights on creating a unique and captivating book cover.

Most “Budget” Designers Use Stock Images

During my research on book cover design, I discovered the frequent use of stock images by designers on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.

Notice how both platforms are generally considered the “budget book cover design destination.”

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Shelby Sullivan
Shelby Sullivan

Written by Shelby Sullivan

Hey, I'm Shelby! I'm a professional writer, editor, blogger, and cover designer. Learn to make book covers and contact me at linktr.ee/sulliwrites !

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