The album cover conveys the first impression of the music and the artist behind it. It is a crucial marketing tool. The more attractive and appealing the cover, the higher the likelihood that your release will generate attention and be listened to.
The history of album covers
In 1940, the young graphic designer Alex Steinweiss came up with a groundbreaking idea. He designed individual and colorful album covers for shellac records. The first cover he designed was "Smash Song Hits by Rodgers & Hart", which was released in February 1940.
At the time, Steinweiss was working for the Columbia Records label. Through his artistic design, he was able to significantly increase the sales figures of his records. His contribution made him a pioneer of modern album covers and had a lasting impact on the music industry.
There is never a second chance to make a first impression, and first impressions count. This saying also applies to the artwork of a record!
Important requirements for your cover artwork
When you create and upload your cover artwork, you must adhere to specific quality requirements. It is of course important that your image is not blurred or pixelated. Professionally created cover artwork is one of the basic requirements for a successful release. However, there are also standard dimensions and specifications from the online stores that must be observed, such as
- Minimum size: 3000×3000 pixels
- File format: .jpg format
- Resolution: At least 72 DPI
- Color space: RGB color space
The following points should also be observed:
- The name of the artist and the title of the album must be clearly visible on the music cover. They should also match the metadata.
- Create music cover: Links, price details, website URLs, e-mail addresses, store logos or pornographic content are not permitted.
- Covers on iTunes: Portals such as iTunes also reject covers with physical product references or unauthorized elements.
Album covers: go for professional design
A look at history shows how memorable cover art can shape the perception of an album. Almost all artists and labels have their own logo. This helps them to stand out from other artists and labels.
In addition, a label logo is often a prerequisite for being listed on certain portals. There are also quality requirements to consider. Get inspired and discover creative ideas to design your own cover with FEIYR!
Don't underestimate the importance of the album cover for your release! It is the figurehead of your release and the first step in attracting attention. It's best to trust a professional graphic designer to design your cover.
FEIYR supports you in creating your own album cover. You can find more information and practical tools in your FEIYR account under "Graphics".
Take advantage of the opportunity to design your music cover professionally and impress your listeners at first glance!