PINJAR MUSIC • ARTWORK GUIDE
Your cover is often the first visual introduction to your music. Make it clear, memorable and ready for delivery.
Understanding album cover art requirements helps you prepare artwork that looks good and meets the technical specifications of your distribution service.
This guide covers dimensions, file formats, colour, typography and a practical review process for singles, EPs and albums.
1 Check Dimensions Before Designing
Digital release artwork is generally square. A 1:1 aspect ratio means the image has equal width and height.
A 3000 × 3000 pixel canvas is a common starting point, but your distributor’s current upload requirements should determine the final delivery file.
There is no universal upload specification
Minimum dimensions, maximum dimensions and file-size limits can differ. Check the service receiving your artwork before exporting the final version.
Keep a high-quality editable master so you can create an appropriate export when another destination requires different dimensions.
Avoid stretching a rectangular photograph into a square. Crop or compose the design on a square canvas while preserving the subject’s proportions.
2 Review File Format and Colour Settings
Confirm the accepted file type in your distributor’s upload instructions. JPG is widely used, while support for PNG and other formats varies.
For screen-based artwork, prepare the image in RGB colour rather than a print-oriented CMYK workflow. Follow any more specific colour-space instructions provided.
| Setting | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | Equal width and height for square release artwork. |
| Pixel dimensions | The distributor’s minimum and maximum limits. |
| File format | An accepted format, such as JPG where supported. |
| Colour | RGB and any specified colour-space requirements. |
| File size | The upload limit shown by your distributor. |
| Transparency | Whether the delivery specifications allow it. |
Open the exported image to inspect it. The design inside your editing application may look different from an incorrectly exported file.
3 Start With a Sharp Original Image
A large file dimension does not automatically mean a high-quality image. Enlarging a small, blurry picture can leave visible softness and compression artefacts.
- Use original photographs or high-resolution artwork.
- Inspect faces, hair, fine lines and lettering.
- Avoid screenshots of images when originals are available.
- Check for compression blocks and rough edges.
- Export from the original design project.
Review at two different sizes
Inspect the artwork at full size to find technical defects. Then view it as a small thumbnail to judge whether the design remains recognisable.
Spotify’s cover-art guidance specifically advises against upscaling images. A better source image is preferable to enlarging a poor-quality file.
4 Keep Titles and Artist Names Accurate
If your cover includes text, compare it carefully with the release information you are submitting.
- Check the artist name letter by letter.
- Confirm the intended release title.
- Review Bengali or Hindi spelling and character rendering.
- Check version text, if used.
- Remove accidental placeholder text.
Use readable lettering with enough contrast against the background. A detailed font may look attractive at full size but become difficult to read on a phone.
Keep Promotional Copy in Promotional Assets
Avoid filling the release cover with URLs, prices, social handles, platform badges or “out now” messages. Keep these in separate marketing designs and check your distributor’s artwork content rules.
Review the rest of your release details with our music metadata checklist .
5 Give the Artwork One Clear Focus
Choose a visual idea that fits the music. This might be a portrait, a location, an object or an abstract illustration.
For an emotional Bengali single, for example, a quiet railway platform or an unfinished letter could support the song’s mood. Select the idea that connects with the actual recording.
Practical Design Suggestions
- Use one main focal point.
- Limit competing text styles.
- Leave breathing room around important lettering.
- Choose colours that support the song’s atmosphere.
- Keep essential details away from the outer edges.
These are design recommendations rather than platform rules. A distinctive visual concept matters more than following the same template for every release.
6 Check Your Images, Fonts and Other Assets
Keep records showing where your photographs, illustrations and fonts came from. Review the applicable licences and permissions for the intended use.
- Save stock-image purchase and licence records.
- Confirm the permitted use of commissioned artwork.
- Check font licensing for your intended exports.
- Review permissions for recognisable people and brands.
- Keep the designer’s final approved files.
If You Use AI-Generated Artwork
Inspect generated images for misspelled text, distorted details and unintended logos. Check the generation service’s terms and the distributor’s current artwork policy.
Generation alone does not establish that every depicted element is cleared for your intended use.
Create Separate Files for Distribution and Promotion
Your release cover, blog image and social media promotion serve different purposes. Build separate exports from the same visual identity.
| Use | Suggested Format |
|---|---|
| Music release cover | Square artwork following distributor specifications. |
| Pinjar Music blog featured image | 16:9 landscape layout. |
| Vertical promotional video | 9:16 layout, checked for the destination’s safe areas. |
| Square social promotion | 1:1 layout with suitable campaign text. |
Keep your delivery master separate
Website image compression settings are intended for web performance. Keep a separate high-quality cover file that meets music distribution requirements.
Common Cover Artwork Mistakes
Using a Landscape Banner as the Release Cover
Compose a dedicated square design instead of squeezing a wide image into the required shape.
Exporting the Wrong Version
Use clear filenames and remove draft exports from the submission folder. Check the final file before uploading.
Overloading the Design
Too many portraits, symbols and text blocks can compete for attention. Test whether the main idea is clear at thumbnail size.
Assuming One Service’s Rules Apply Everywhere
Use the requirements of the distributor receiving your submission. Recheck them when changing providers or delivery formats.
Final Album Cover Art Requirements Checklist
Before You Upload
- The delivery artwork is square.
- Pixel dimensions meet the distributor’s requirements.
- File type, colour and file size are correct.
- The image looks sharp at full size.
- The main design remains clear as a thumbnail.
- Artist and title text match the intended release.
- Promotional clutter and placeholders are removed.
- Asset licences and permissions have been reviewed.
- The exported file has been opened and checked.
- The editable master and approved export are saved.
If your artwork is rejected, read the specific reason before editing. Correct the reported issue, re-export the file and ask support if the requirement is unclear.
Get Your Next Release Ready
Prepare your audio, artwork and metadata, then explore the Pinjar Music plan that fits your release needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size should my album cover be?
Use the dimensions required by your distributor. A 3000 × 3000 pixel square is common, but minimum and maximum specifications vary.
Can I use a 16:9 image as my music cover?
Standard digital release artwork is square. Create a separate 1:1 composition for distribution and keep the 16:9 version for uses such as blog features or video thumbnails.
Should I export JPG or PNG?
Check the accepted formats in your distributor’s instructions. Select a supported format and inspect the resulting export for quality.
Does increasing image size improve quality?
Increasing dimensions does not restore missing detail. Start with a suitable original image or rebuild the design from higher-quality assets.
Should my artist name appear on the cover?
Typography is a creative choice subject to your distributor’s rules. If you include an artist name or title, keep it accurate and readable.
Can I use the same artwork for promotion?
You can build promotional versions from the same design, provided your asset permissions allow it. Export each version for its intended placement.