ACX Cover Guidelines: Mastering Audiobook Visuals
Your audiobook cover is your primary visual representation on platforms like Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. Unlike print or ebook covers, audiobook covers have very specific and strict requirements, especially when submitted through ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange). Adhering to these guidelines is crucial for your audiobook to be accepted and displayed correctly across all platforms.
A compliant and compelling ACX cover is essential for your audiobook's discoverability and professional presentation in the booming audio market.
Key ACX Cover Requirements
Failing to meet these guidelines can result in your audiobook being rejected or improperly displayed. Pay close attention to each point:
1. Square Aspect Ratio (1:1)
ACX requires your cover image to be a perfect square (1:1 aspect ratio). This is the most fundamental rule and often the reason for rejections. Any deviation will result in your cover being automatically cropped by the platform, potentially cutting off important design elements.
- Mandatory: Must be a perfect square.
- No Borders: Do not add decorative borders that would make the image non-square or create uneven spacing when scaled.
2. Resolution & File Format
High resolution is critical for your cover to look sharp on high-definition displays. ACX specifies minimum and recommended pixel dimensions.
- Minimum Resolution: 2400 x 2400 pixels.
- Recommended Resolution: 3000 x 3000 pixels (or higher for future-proofing).
- File Format: JPEG (.jpg) is the only accepted format.
- Color Profile: RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is required for digital display.
- File Size: Keep under 5MB for optimal loading.
3. Legibility & Visual Impact
Your audiobook cover will be displayed as a small thumbnail on Audible and other platforms. It must be instantly recognizable and readable, even at a small size. Keep the design simple, with clear, bold typography for the title and author name.
- Content: Must include the book title and author name. The narrator's name is optional.
- Prohibited Content: No marketing text (e.g., "bestseller"), pricing information, blurbs, URLs, or social media handles.
- Simplicity: Avoid busy backgrounds or intricate details that become unreadable when scaled down.
Why ACX Cover Optimization Matters
A perfectly optimized ACX cover is more than just a technical requirement; it's a vital marketing asset for your audiobook.
- Platform Acceptance: Ensures your audiobook is accepted by ACX and distributed to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes without delays.
- Professionalism: A high-quality, compliant cover reflects positively on your audiobook and your brand.
- Discoverability: A clear and impactful thumbnail stands out in search results and browsing, attracting more listeners.
- User Experience: Provides a consistent and appealing visual experience for listeners across all devices.
Our audiobook cover design service guarantees full ACX compliance, ensuring your cover is technically perfect and visually captivating for the audio market.
Frequently Asked Questions About ACX Covers
Still have questions about getting your audiobook cover ready for ACX? We've got answers to common inquiries.
The absolute minimum requirements for an ACX cover are: a perfect square (1:1 aspect ratio), at least 2400 x 2400 pixels, saved as a JPEG (.jpg) file, in RGB color mode, and containing only the book title and author name (narrator name is optional). No additional marketing text, URLs, or pricing information is allowed.
ACX (and by extension, Audible, Amazon, iTunes) strictly prohibits any marketing copy, blurbs, pricing, or promotional text on the cover image itself. This includes phrases like "New York Times Bestseller," "Award-Winning," or "Free." This rule is in place to ensure a clean, consistent, and uncluttered browsing experience for listeners. All such information should be placed in the audiobook's metadata or description.
No, ACX covers do not require bleed or safety margins. Unlike print books that are physically trimmed, audiobook covers are digital images displayed on screens. They should be designed to the exact pixel dimensions (e.g., 2400x2400) without any extra bleed area. Similarly, there's no need for internal safety margins as long as your design is clean and legible at small sizes.
The *design* of your print or ebook cover can certainly be adapted for ACX, but the *file itself* will need to be specifically formatted. Print covers are rectangular and in CMYK, while ebook covers are usually rectangular and in RGB. An ACX cover must be a perfect square (1:1 aspect ratio) and in RGB. You cannot simply crop a rectangular cover to a square, as this often distorts the design or cuts off important elements. It requires a proper re-layout and export.
If your cover is rejected by ACX, they will typically provide a reason (e.g., incorrect dimensions, prohibited content, non-square aspect ratio). You will need to revise your cover file to meet their specific feedback and then resubmit it. Our professional design service ensures your cover is compliant from the start, minimizing the risk of rejection and delays in your audiobook's release.
For more details on audiobook promotion, visit: Audiobook Promotion Services.