Cover Translation Best Practices
Cover translation preserves your existing design while translating the text elements into your target language.
How Cover Translation Works
- Upload your cover as JPG, JPEG, PNG, WEBP, or an EPUB with an embedded cover
- AI detects text on the cover (title, author name, taglines)
- You review the detected and translated fields
- Replacement text is rendered while preserving the original design where possible
- Validation checks look for missing or incorrect text
What Gets Translated
- Book title
- Subtitle or tagline
- Series name
- Other visible cover text that Bookshift detects and can safely replace
Author names are usually left as entered. Change the translated field only if the author name needs a localized pen name or script variant.
Credit Cost
Each cover translation costs 5,000 credits.
Preparing Your Cover
File Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | JPG, JPEG, PNG, WEBP, or EPUB cover extraction |
| Resolution | Higher is better; blurry uploads produce weaker text replacement |
| Source | Must own copyright to the cover |
Before Uploading
- Remove any DRM or watermarks
- Use a high-resolution file - Blurry covers produce blurry results
- Ensure text is readable - Very small or stylized text may not translate well
- Flatten layers - If you have a PSD or design file, export to JPG, PNG, or WEBP first
Best Practices
For Best Results
Do:
- Use covers with clear, readable text
- Upload the highest resolution available
- Keep original design elements simple and clean
- Use covers you own the rights to
- Review all detected and translated fields before submitting
Don't:
- Upload low-resolution images
- Use covers with extremely stylized fonts that may not render well
- Expect perfect preservation of very complex designs
- Upload Photoshop, Canva, or InDesign source files directly
Text Readability
The AI needs to detect and read your text to translate it. Covers work best when:
- Text contrasts with the background
- Fonts are not extremely decorative
- Text is not overlaid on busy image areas
Multiple Languages
You can translate the same cover into multiple languages. Each translation:
- Is a separate operation (5,000 credits each)
- Produces a separate output file
- Maintains the original design
When to Use Generation Instead
Cover translation works well for most covers, but sometimes cover generation is a better choice:
Use Generation When:
- Your cover has explicit content that triggers moderation
- The original design is too complex for clean translation
- The translated title is much longer and no longer fits the old layout
- You want a fresh look for a new market
- You don't have a cover yet
Translation Fallback
If cover translation hits moderation or cannot safely edit the source image, Bookshift may offer a generated fallback. You must consent to that fallback before the job creates a new cover instead of translating the original artwork.
Warning
The cover translator is sensitive to explicit visual content. If you write spicy romance or horror, your manuscript can be fine while a cover image still triggers moderation. In those cases, use AI cover generation or allow the generated fallback when offered.
Output Specifications
Translated covers are:
- Delivered as downloadable cover images from the completed job
- Built for ebook-style front cover use
- Suitable for publishing upload after your own final review
Common Issues
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Text not detected | Use a higher resolution image with clearer text |
| Moderation warning | Allow generated fallback if appropriate, or use cover generation instead |
| Design elements lost | Complex designs may need manual touch-up after translation |
| Font looks different | The system approximates fonts; exact matches aren't guaranteed |
| Translated title too long | Edit the translated title or regenerate with a cover layout that allows more space |
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