Your cover art appears everywhere your music does - in search results, playlists, lock screens and shared links. Stores also review it, and artwork problems are among the most frequent reasons a release is sent back for changes. Here is what you need to know to get it right the first time.
Technical requirements
| Requirement | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Shape | Perfect square (1:1) |
| Size | 3000 x 3000 pixels (most stores accept a smaller minimum, but 3000 px keeps it sharp everywhere) |
| File type | JPG or PNG |
| Colour mode | RGB (not CMYK) |
| Quality | Sharp, not pixelated or stretched from a small image |
A common error is taking a 1080 x 1080 Instagram post and enlarging it to 3000 px. It may pass a size check but will look soft on large screens and smart TVs. Design at full size from the start.
Content rules stores enforce
Each store has its own style guide, but the following are rejected almost everywhere:
- Website addresses, social handles, email addresses or phone numbers. Cover art is not an advert.
- Logos of stores or brands - for example the Spotify or Apple Music logo, or "Available on JioSaavn" badges.
- Pricing or promotional text such as "Free", "New", "Exclusive" or "Out Now".
- Mismatched text. If the artwork shows an artist name or song title, it must match the metadata exactly. A different spelling or an extra artist name causes rejection.
- Images you do not own. Photos from Google, film stills, celebrity pictures, cartoon characters or another artist's artwork. Use your own photos or properly licensed images.
- Blurry, pixelated, heavily cropped or bordered images, and screenshots.
- Explicit or shocking imagery beyond what stores allow, even if the song itself is marked explicit.
- Misleading content that suggests your release is by another, more famous artist or is an official soundtrack when it is not.
Design for a thumbnail
Most listeners see your cover at around the size of a fingernail. Good artwork reads clearly at that scale.
- One clear focal point. A face, an object or a bold shape works better than a busy collage.
- Big, simple text - or none. If you include the title, use a clean, heavy typeface. Thin decorative fonts disappear at small sizes.
- Strong contrast. Light text on a dark area or dark text on a light area. Avoid placing text over a busy background.
- Keep important elements away from the edges. Some apps round the corners or overlay play buttons.
- Test it small. Shrink the design to 100 x 100 pixels on your phone. If you cannot tell what it is, simplify.
Creating a visual identity across releases
Artists who release regularly benefit from a recognisable look - a consistent font, colour palette or photo style. When a fan scrolls past your new single, they should recognise it as yours before they read the name. You can keep a template and change the photo and colour for each release.
Can I use AI-generated images?
Many artists now use image-generation tools. If you do, make sure the tool's terms let you use the output commercially, avoid prompts that recreate a real person, a known character or another artist's artwork, and check the result carefully for distorted hands, faces and garbled text - stores reject artwork that looks broken. When in doubt, a simple photo you took yourself is the safest option.
Can I change the artwork after release?
Usually yes, through your distributor, but it requires redelivery to every store and may take time to update everywhere. Some stores treat major changes as a new release. It is better to finalise the artwork before you submit.
Final checklist
- 3000 x 3000 px, square, JPG or PNG, RGB.
- No URLs, handles, logos, prices or "out now" text.
- Any text matches the artist name and title in your metadata.
- You own or have licensed every element in the image.
- It still looks clear at thumbnail size.