Cover art is mandatory for all releases and must meet specific technical and content guidelines to ensure it’s accepted by digital stores and streaming platforms. Let’s run through the full details.
File Specifications
- Aspect ratio: 1:1 (perfect square)
- Resolution: Minimum 1500 x 1500 pixels, maximum 6000 x 6000 pixels
- File format: JPG or PNG
- Color profile: Must not use eSRGB
- Quality: Image must be clear, properly aligned, and free of blurriness, pixelation, or rotation issues
Artwork Content Guidelines
To ensure your release is approved across all platforms, your artwork should only include content that matches your release metadata. Specifically:
- Only include:
- Primary Artist(s)
- Featured Artist(s)
- Release Title
- Label Name (if applicable)
- Do not include:
- Website URLs
- Social media handles or logos
- Brand logos or brand references
- Pornographic or offensive content
- Copyrighted or unlicensed images (all artwork must be license-free and original)
- Duplicate artwork reused across multiple releases
Cover art that doesn’t meet these requirements may lead to release rejections or delays, so it’s important to follow these guidelines carefully to ensure a smooth distribution process.