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What must not be on release cover art (album cover)

  

Following the rules for release cover art is essential for the successful distribution of your music. If your image does not meet the platforms’ requirements, your release may be rejected or later removed from distribution.

In most cases:
If your release cover art contains any prohibited content, in most cases your release will not get into distribution to streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and others at all, because they will all reject it straight away.
What is prohibited on release cover art

Every platform has its own policy on which elements it does not allow on cover art. Here is a selection of the most important ones:

Contact details

The image must not contain any contact information:

  • Email addresses
  • Phone numbers
  • Websites (URLs)
  • Social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok etc.)

Sales information

Any mention of price or sales:

  • “New single”
  • “Limited edition”
  • “Exclusive”
  • “Discount” or “Sale”
  • Prices in any currency

Platform logos

You must not use the logos of streaming services:

  • The Spotify logo
  • The Apple Music logo
  • The YouTube Music logo
  • Logos of other digital stores
  • Text such as “Now on Spotify”

Media format

References to physical or digital formats:

  • “CD” or “Compact Disc”
  • “DVD”
  • “Vinyl” or “LP”
  • “Digital Exclusive”
  • “Streaming Only”

Barcodes and QR codes

No barcodes on the cover:

  • UPC/EAN codes
  • ISBN codes
  • Any scanned elements from physical CDs
  • Shop stickers
  • QR codes (including payment details!)

Misleading information

The image must not be misleading in any way:

  • Names of artists who do not perform on the album
  • Incorrect album or song titles
  • Misleading genre labels
  • False information about the content

Protected content

Nothing without the appropriate licence:

  • Images from Google without a licence
  • Brand logos without permission
  • Photos of other people without their consent
  • AI images of real people
  • Protected works of art
  • Third-party trademarks

Inappropriate content

Platforms prohibit:

  • Pornographic content or nudity
  • Violent or shocking images
  • Hate symbols
  • Discriminatory content
  • Content inciting violence

Technical flaws

No low-quality or badly made images:

  • Blurry or pixelated images
  • Cropped text or images
  • White borders or frames
  • An image squeezed into a corner
  • Wrong aspect ratio (must be 1:1)

Time references

No dates or time references:

  • Release year (e.g. “2025”)
  • Release date
  • “New” or “Latest”
  • “Soon” or “Coming soon”

Parental Advisory

The Parental Advisory logo only if:

  • At least one recording on the release is actually flagged as explicit
  • The logo is in its original, unmodified form
  • It must not be on the image if the content is not explicit

Advertising and promotion

No promotional content:

  • Product advertising
  • Sponsored links
  • Brand promotion
  • “Featuring” artists who are not on the album
What can be on the image

Allowed content

  • The artist name – if it matches the name in the release metadata.
  • The release or recording title – it must exactly match the title in distribution.
  • Original artwork – your own photos, illustrations or graphics.
  • Abstract or minimalist design – simple shapes, colours, patterns.
  • Licensed images – stock photos with a valid licence.
  • The artist’s own logo – if it is part of your brand.
  • No text – the image can also have no text at all.
  • Portraits and photos – with the consent of the people shown.
Technical requirements for the image
Dimensions from 3000 × 3000 px
to 6000 × 6000 px
Aspect ratio 1:1
square
Format JPEG (.jpg/.jpeg)
PNG (.png)
max. 50 MB
Colour space RGB (sRGB)
no transparency

Check the technical parameters of your image

In Artists Bez Labelu, the image is checked automatically as soon as you upload it in the release form – an image that does not meet the technical requirements cannot be saved. The Image check tool in the Music releases section can also fix the image for you or upscale it to 3000 × 3000 px using AI (always review the result). Outside the app, use our automatic validator, which shows you instantly whether everything is in order.

Check image

Consequences of breaking the rules

  • Release rejection – your release will not be approved for distribution.
  • Removal from platforms – releases that are already out may be removed.
  • Release delay – you have to create a new image and upload it again.
  • Loss of income – you cannot earn while the image is being fixed.
  • Damage to your reputation – an unprofessional look may put listeners off.
  • Legal problems – copyright infringement may lead to lawsuits.
  • Account suspension – repeated violations may lead to your account being blocked.

Tips for creating the perfect image

  • Less is often more – a simple, clean and clear design works best.
  • Test at small sizes – the image must be recognisable even as a thumbnail.
  • Use a high resolution – 3000 × 3000 px as standard, 6000 × 6000 px for the best quality.
  • Brand consistency – keep a uniform visual style across your releases.
  • Check before uploading – go through all the rules and check every detail.
  • Get feedback – show the image to friends or fans before the release.
  • Invest in a professional – quality graphic design pays off.
  • Keep your source files – always keep the original high-resolution files.
  • Use our validator – before uploading, check the image with our validator or with the Image check tool in Artists Bez Labelu.
Final recommendation:
Before you upload your release cover art, always go through all the image rules carefully. One small detail can cause the whole release to be rejected. If you are still unsure after reading this article, request a Pre-distribution check in the Requests section – we will check both the image and the release details for you before they are submitted for distribution.