Are you considering starting a podcast? If so, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is what to use for cover art. Having the right podcast cover art dimensions can help your podcast look polished and professional, while the wrong ones can make it look unprofessional or even amateurish. But what are the correct dimensions for podcast cover art?
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about podcast cover art dimensions as well as the technical specifications you need to keep in mind. We’ll also cover some design tips and tricks that can help make sure your podcast cover art looks great. So, let’s get started!
Contents
What Is A Podcast Cover Art?
Podcasts can be found in many places, including streaming services like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, so having great-looking cover art is essential for standing out. Podcast cover art is an essential component of any podcast.
It allows listeners to instantly identify which podcast they’re looking for and creates a unique visual identity that sets your show apart from the competition. It’s essentially an icon, image, or logo representing your podcast and should reflect the overall theme or tone of the show.
A good podcast cover art often features simple design elements such as striking imagery, uncomplicated text, and a limited color palate. While not as important as the audio content itself, having a high-quality image can go a long way toward earning listeners’ attention and increasing engagement levels with your show.
What Are The Podcast Cover Art Dimensions?
The exact dimensions of podcast cover art will depend on where it’s being used. Different streaming services and platforms may have different size requirements for podcast cover art, so it’s important to be aware of these specifications when creating your artwork. It’s best practice to create an image that is at least 1400×1400 pixels, as this should be large enough to look good on any platform. Let’s take a look at some of the specific requirements for different streaming services.
Google Podcasts Cover Art
Google Podcasts cover art recommends a resolution of 1400×1400 minimum, with an aspect ratio of 1:1. This means that the image should have equal width and height dimensions. The format should be a JPEG or PNG file, and the maximum size should not exceed 5000kb. The maximum resolution for podcast cover art is 3000×3000 because it will be automatically resized to fit the 1400×1400 guideline.
It is also important to note that Google Podcasts will crop the artwork into a circular shape, so you may want to consider leaving enough space around your design elements in order to avoid having them cropped out of sight. Additionally, it is recommended that you avoid using any text for the cover art since it can be challenging to read when cropped into a circle.
iTunes Podcast Cover Art
When it comes to podcasting, iTunes is the biggest platform out there. So you’ll want to make sure that your cover art meets their guidelines if you want to maximize your reach. Luckily, the requirements are pretty straightforward: iTunes cover art must be in the JPEG or PNG file format and at least 1400 x 1400 pixels and no larger than 3000 x 3000 pixels.
Additionally, square icons must be at least 512 x 512 pixels and no larger than 1024 x 1024 pixels. With that in mind, you should try to make sure your cover art looks good both large and small – that way it will look great on any platform.
Spotify Podcast Cover Art
When it comes to podcast cover art for Spotify, you have a bit more flexibility – so don’t feel limited by iTunes’ requirements! For example, Spotify recommends a minimum size of 640 pixels wide and tall for podcast cover art. However, the recommended size for optimal detail and resolution is 3000 x 3000 pixels – that’s a lot of space to get creative! If you opt out of including artwork, Spotify will use the image uploaded as your profile picture instead.
TIFF, PNG, and JPEG files are all acceptable formats – so you’re good to go no matter what image you have in mind. RGB or CMYK color is recommended, and Spotify also requests that your files be less than 10MB.
Other Platforms
It’s important to note that other platforms may have different requirements for podcast cover art, so you should always double-check their specific guidelines before uploading your artwork. Some platforms might also require additional sizes or formats – like a “hero image” or a landscape version of your artwork – so be sure to check for those as well.
What To Consider While Adjusting Podcast Cover Art Dimensions?
You’ll want to keep a few things in mind when creating or adjusting your podcast cover art.
1. Cutout
Consider where the cutout circle will be on your artwork. If you’re using a platform like Google Podcasts, the art will be cropped into a circular shape – so be sure to leave enough space around your design elements in order to avoid having them “clipped off” when cropping.
2. Place Your Fingers Over The Design
This may sound silly, but is one of the most effective ways to check how your artwork will look when cropped. Place your fingers over the art and pretend that they are the cutout mask. If it looks good with your fingers covering parts of it – then you can be sure that it’ll look great as a finished product. You can do the same for the podcast logo.
3. Keep It Square
When creating your artwork, use a square canvas to ensure that your design works for both landscape and portrait orientations. That way, you can be sure that no matter what platform the art is seen on – it looks great!
4. Leave Enough Whitespace
Don’t fill the whole canvas with art elements – leave a decent amount of blank or “white space” around your design so that it doesn’t feel too cluttered. This will make sure that even when cropped to a circle, all of your artwork is still visible and legible.
5. Move Important Elements To The Center
It can be tempting to spread out artwork elements throughout a canvas, but if you want them to be seen when cropped – keep them in the center of your art! This way, they can’t get “clipped off”.
These things can adjust the podcast cover art dimensions in an effective way but only after proper research and understanding of the target audience. Once you have that, it’s easier to decide on what will work best for your podcast cover art dimensions!
Why Is Podcast Cover Art With Correct Dimensions So Important?
The truth is podcast cover art is incredibly important – it’s the first thing that listeners will see when they come across your show. It can be the deciding factor in whether or not someone chooses to check out your podcast. There are a lot of reasons why you want your cover art to look great.
1. It Creates Brand Recognition
The size and shape of your podcast cover art is key when it comes to creating brand recognition. Generally speaking, podcast cover art should be square, with dimensions of at least 1400 x 1400 pixels. This ensures that your artwork won’t become distorted or pixelated on different devices. Your artwork should also include your show title and logo to help listeners easily recognize and remember your podcast.
2. It Attracts New Listeners
Great cover art can help your podcast stand out in a crowded field of competitors. Your artwork should be eye-catching and memorable so that potential listeners will be drawn to it.
New and interesting designs can grab the attention of those browsing through podcast directories, helping to increase your listener base and expand your reach. Keep in mind that many people will be viewing the cover art on their phones or other small devices, so make sure it’s clear and easy to see even at a smaller size.
3. It Establishes Professionalism
Having professional-looking podcast cover art also helps establish your show as a legitimate source of information and entertainment. Your artwork should look clean and polished so that listeners know they will be getting quality content from you. Professionalism doesn’t mean boring – there are plenty of creative ways to represent your show and audience without compromising professionalism.
Just make sure that your design is easy to read, with a clear focal point and enough contrast for the text to be legible. You can also keep up with trends by looking through popular podcasts in your genre and seeing what kind of artwork they’re using.
4. It Reflects Your Show’s Content
Your podcast cover art with the right dimensions will also set the tone for your show. Pay attention to the colors, typefaces, and other visual elements you use in your artwork so that it accurately reflects the content of your podcast. Your cover art should give potential listeners a sense of what to expect when they tune in – this is a great opportunity to showcase your creativity and make an impression on new listeners.
5. It Gives You An Edge
Ultimately, having great podcast cover art with the correct dimensions can give you an edge over your competition and help you stand out from the crowd. Take advantage of this opportunity to show off your work and create something that will draw in potential listeners.
Because at the end of the day, great cover art can make all the difference. But if the dimensions aren’t right, it can have the opposite effect. So make sure you put in the extra effort to get your podcast cover art just right!
These five reasons should be enough to convince you about the importance of having great podcast cover art with the correct dimensions. If you take the time and effort to create something that looks professional, eye-catching, and reflective of your show’s content, then you will be sure to draw in more listeners and expand your reach.
How To Achieve The Perfect Podcast Cover Art Dimensions
Now that you know why having the correct podcast cover art dimensions is so important, let’s talk about how to achieve them. There are a few things you should keep in mind when creating your artwork.
1. Minimum Dimensions
The most important thing to consider when creating your podcast cover art is to make sure it meets Apple Podcasts’ minimum dimensions of 1400 x 1400 pixels. Anything smaller than this will not be accepted and can potentially result in your podcast being rejected from the platform. Sometimes iTunes may accept smaller artwork, but it is always best to submit the largest size you can.
2. Maximum File Size
Another key factor is file size. It’s important to keep the file size of your podcast cover art as small as possible. Apple Podcasts recommends keeping it under 500 KB, but if you can make it smaller than that, even better. Smaller file sizes make downloading faster and ensure that your artwork looks great on all devices.
3. Format
When creating podcast cover art, it’s also important to consider the file format. JPEG and PNG are the two most commonly used file formats for podcast cover art, with PNG usually being a better choice. A PNG file is a lossless format, which means that it compresses images without losing any of the quality or detail. This makes it the ideal choice for artwork with sharp details and complex backgrounds.
Keep in mind that audio streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify may compress your file further when displaying it, so be sure to keep the resolution high and pick a format that will maintain its quality. Also, remember to save the artwork as RGB for the best color results. With the right size, shape, and format, you can ensure that your podcast cover art looks perfect on any device.
4. Preview
It’s always a good idea to preview your artwork before submitting it. This will help you make sure that everything looks as you intended and that there are no mistakes that would lead to your podcast being rejected. It’s also a great way to get feedback from others, so be sure to take the time to do a final review before submitting your artwork. Because negligence at this stage can lead to rejection and costly delays, it’s best to take the time to make sure everything is perfect.
5. Professional Design
Finally, if you are not confident in your design skills or don’t have the time to create the artwork yourself, it might be worth considering hiring a professional graphic designer to create something for you. Accurate dimensions and file size are essential for a successful submission, so having an experienced designer take care of your artwork can ensure that it meets all the requirements and looks great.
Meet all the requirements listed above and you will be well on your way to creating the perfect podcast cover art!
How To Create Accurate Podcast Cover Art
Creating a podcast cover art with the correct dimensions doesn’t have to be difficult. There are plenty of tools and resources out there to help you get started. Here are some tips for creating accurate podcast artwork:
1. Use High-Resolution Images
Using high-resolution images is key to ensuring your artwork looks crisp and professional. If you don’t have access to a hi-res image library, there are plenty of websites offering royalty-free stock photography that you can use.
2. Consider Using Vector Graphics
Vector graphics provide more flexibility and scalability than rasterized images, so they’re a great option for creating podcast artwork. Additionally, vector graphics tend to be easier to manipulate and recolor than rasterized images.
3. Stick To The Correct Dimensions
Most podcast platforms have specific dimension requirements for cover art, so it’s important to stick to these guidelines. Generally, a standard podcast cover art size is 1400×1400 pixels or larger.
4. Use Bold Colors And Fonts
Using bright and bold colors will help your artwork stand out from the crowd. Consider incorporating a bright background color and a bold font that complements your artwork. Along with cover art dimensions, it’s also important to keep in mind any platform-specific guidelines when creating your artwork.
5. Fiverr For Creating Artwork
If you don’t have the skills or resources to create your own artwork, consider hiring a professional designer on Fiverr. There are many talented designers who specialize in podcast cover art and can help you create something that is visually striking and eye-catching. Podcast cover art cost may vary depending on the complexity of your artwork and the designer’s experience, so be sure to shop around for the best deal.
6. Canva For Quick And Easy Artwork
For a more DIY approach, consider using Canva to create cover art. With Canva’s user-friendly podcast cover design tools, you can quickly and easily create podcast cover art in no time. But Canva’s podcast cover art’s dimensions may not work with all podcast platforms, so be sure to check their guidelines before you get started.
7. Test Your Artwork On Different Devices
Once you’ve created your podcast cover artwork, it’s important to check how it looks on various devices and platforms. Some platforms may compress or alter your artwork, so it’s best to test out the end result to make sure everything looks as good as possible.
8. Adobe Photoshop For Advanced Artwork
Podcast cover art can be pretty intricate and detailed. If a podcast host needs to make more advanced adjustments to his artwork, consider using Adobe Photoshop. With its powerful features, you can easily fine-tune every aspect of your podcast cover art with precision and accuracy.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to create your podcast cover art with the correct dimensions for any platform.
FAQs
What size should podcast artwork be for Spotify?
The size for podcast artwork on Spotify should be at least 640px by 640px and up to 3000px by 3000px. It should also be in a square format, with a file size no larger than 10 MB.
Additionally, it is recommended that images are scaled down to 72dpi instead of 300dpi, as this will help keep the image size smaller. This way, your podcast’s cover art will look great without slowing down page loading speeds.
What are the dimensions for Anchor cover art?
The dimensions for Anchor cover art should be a minimum of 1400 x 1400 pixels and a maximum of 3000 x 3000 pixels at 72 DPI (dots per inch). The ideal size is a square, so the width and height should match.
If you are not sure of your image’s dpi, you can use any free online tool to check. Keep in mind that larger images will load faster, but file size should be kept as low as possible since larger files take longer to upload.
What is a podcast cover art thumbnail?
A podcast cover art thumbnail is one of the most essential pieces of content for any podcast. It has been proven to be a deciding factor for many listeners as to whether or not they give a podcast a chance.
This small image needs to accurately reflect the message, tone, and topics of your show in a creative and eye-catching way. A good podcast cover art will attract the right type of audience, be easy to read across all platforms, and, most importantly, capture people’s attention quickly.
Conclusion
The dimension of the podcast covers art is important to know. No matter which podcast hosting platform you choose, following the correct size specifications for cover art will ensure your artwork looks excellent on all listeners’ devices.
Making sure the suitable format is used and that the file size is small is key to a successful podcast launch! With the right approach, you can create beautiful, eye-catching podcast cover art that stands out and grabs your listeners’ attention.
This guide has provided you with all the information you need to create your own podcast cover art for your podcast! Now it’s time for you to start designing!
